FINISHING
What is print finishing?
Print finishing refers to the actions performed on your print when the ink has dried. Making your product more visually pleasing or simply wanting to give it that little bit of extra protection, there are plenty of print finishing techniques to ensure you get the effect you want.
We prefer to do as much as possible ‘in house’ to ensure the highest quality finish, on even the most complex jobs.
Our machines will laminate, trim, fold, stitch, drill, glue, bind, perforate and number!
Finishing Techniques
Binding
Saddle-stitched / wire stitching
This is the most cost-effective choice for binding documents. The wire is punched through the spine of the pages and bent flat inside the document, resembling staples. A popular choice for leaflets, programmes, newsletters, brochures and magazines.
PUR / perfect binding / adhesive binding
This option gives a very professional and stylish look, which is perfect for annual reports, catalogues, guides, art programmes and brochures.
PUR Binding is a form of perfect binding using Polyurethane Reactive adhesives. Other perfect binding uses EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) adhesives.
So, what’s the difference? EVA hot glue processes are often the choice for bookbinding or case binding using thread sewing because the thick glue works its way into the sections of the spine effectively. The advances of modern PUR glues has led to the ‘lay-flat’ ability with greater flexibility and durability. With PUR binding the cover and sheets are glued together.
A quick guide to the benefits of high-quality PUR Binding:
- PUR can withstand extreme temperature changes (below freezing to 200 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Thinner publications, e.g. 16 pages, will gain a quality, clean finish as less glue is needed for protecting the integrity of the spine.
- A wide range of papers and substrates respond well to PUR including coated, UV varnished, recycled etc.
- Impressive strength. Good PUR means it is very tough to pull out pages.
- The flexibility of PUR means the book or publication can be enjoyed with pages opened wide (lay flat) without the spine cracking.
Case bound documents & hard cover books
This method is traditionally used for hardback books. Providing a very smart look and durable protection. Popular for any deluxe brochure, catalogue, report, prospectus and annual report.
Wire-o bound or spiral binding
Wire-o bound or sprial binding are usually the go to method for items that are to be wall hung such as calendars. They can also be used for any publication or printed product that will be enhanced by an affordable option that is easy to turn and lay-flat. e.g. for making notes very easy to add. Suitable for diaries, desk calendars, notebooks, recipe books, instruction cards, training tips and guides.
Cutting and creasing
Printed materials will need to be cut after printing, and if necessary, creased so that they can be folded. This particularly applies to packaging but also to pop-up cards and books, and press-out shapes for model making.
Die cutting
Die cutting can be used to produce different shapes on most papers and boards (including thicker display boards). Most pockets for folders and apertures are achieved using this process.
The die supports the material being cut and has a hole or a recess into which a punch made of cutting blades fit exactly. The punch and die are fitted into a punching machine and the work that is to be cut is fed into the machine and the punch lowered down to cut.
The same technique is used for creasing, but with blunt blades that will crease the product.
Drilling
A specialised machine process with a sharp hollow drill bit to make holes through stacks of paper – precisely positioned for the purpose, e.g. calendars, inserts ready to go into binders, as a stage in many print binding processes, hanging POS etc.
Numbering
The printing of numbers or codes (from a preset range) in sequential order so that each printed item gains a unique identifier collated, bound or packed and despatched in sets as required.
The range of numbers and codes can be refreshed on each subsequent print order – starting at the exact point on your previous print projects.
Perforation / Perforating
Print perforation is a series of slits or cuts made in paper or other substrates, used for portions of books and catalogues or pages and sections that should be removable.
What other services do we offer?
There are many different finishes that can be added to the final print job, such as;
- Lamination
This is the most common finish. It is where a plastic film is heated onto the paper. The finish can either be a gloss, silk or matt lamination. - UV Varnish
A cheaper alternative to lamination, and is a varnish rather than a film, and gives a high gloss finish. - UV Spot Varnish
Pictures or images are picked out in gloss or matt UV. - Embossing
This is a raised area, highlighting a logo or picture. - Foil Blocking
Is a technique to apply an image to paper or board using metal foil. This is normally used for prestigious literature.
Still need help?
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Committed to sustainability
We’re committed to reducing our impact on the environment. From innovative packaging and sourcing carbon-neutral and eco-friendly papers to minimising and recycling our waste, we’re dedicated to doing good for our planet.
- Paper
- Plates
- Waste
- Ink
We can offer clients options to print on part or 100% recycled papers, both coated and uncoated.
Since upgrading our equipment, going from computer to plate has reduced our chemical usage by over 95%
Through recycling, we minimise the impact we have on the environment. Waste paper is collected and recycled.
We can offer clients printing with vegetable based inks. These inks use vegetable oil instead of mineral oil. In contrast, vegetable oils are derived from renewable resources and also benefit the environment due to greater ease of removal from waste paper during de-inking for recycling.