Finishing

Print Finishing
Print Finishing refers the processes that happen to your printing, after the work has rolled off the printing press.

Folding
Paper and card can be folded to create pages or interesting effects. Common folds include roll fold, gate fold and concertina or Z fold.

Saddle stitched
Standard way of holding a multi-page document together, usually with 2 centre staples. Page count must be divisible by 4. Not so suitable for pagination over 80 pages.

Numbering
Sometimes documents need to be numbered and this can be done mechanically during the print run or added after printing using laser or inkjet technology.

Perfect Bound
Text pages are block glued into a wrap-around cover like with a  paperback. Often seen with magazines but should really be used on all documents with 80 pages or more.

PUR Bound
As above but using a special extra strength glue that gives more longevity to your printed item.

Case Bound
Often described as “hard-backed” as in a hard-backed book.

Wire Bound
Holes are punched down the side of the printed item with the pages held together using a coiled wire.

Comb Bound
Just like wrie bound, holes are punched down the side of the printed item but with the pages held together using a a plastic comb.

Laminated
Laminate is aavailable in Matt or Gloss and is a thin layer of plastic applied to one or both sides of a printed sheet before it is trmmed to finished size. Being laminated nhances look of your printed item and protects it and so is ideal for covers. Be wary that Matt Lamination can show up fingerprint marks if handled a lot.

Spot UV Varnished
Is where an area or areas are picked out in high gloss creating a stunning effect, particularly when used with matt lamination for maximum contrast.

Foil Blocked / Foiling
Where a logo or area of text is printed in a solid foil, usually gold or silver for a truly “metallic” look but a broad range of colours are available.

Embossed
A logo or area of text is pushed through from the back of the printed item so it sits raised on the face.

Debossed
As above but in reverse so that the push is from the front.

Die Cut
When a piece needs to be cut to a specific shape that can't be created with a guillotine then a die needs to be made. The die is then used cut out the piece to the desired shape - a bit like a cookie cutter.

Kiss Cut
As above but the cut only goes partially through the printed item and so is usually used for labels on a sheet or roll.

Platen Creased / Scoring
To ensure that the ink does not “crack” when folded, a channel is stamped on to the fold line to give a perfect finish. A must for paper weights over 160gsm.

Perforated
Used to create an easy tear off section such as for a coupon of cheque stub so that scissors are not required.

Trimming
Using a guillotine to cut the printed sheets down to their finished (final) size.