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In this section, the main features of every printing job are explained: size, type, paper and extra features. We will explain the main differences and variations, and what is the right option for your business or occasion.
Choosing right: Print Size & Type
www.printinghouse.ie uses ISO standard values in terms of paper size and weight. We use these sizes in our product price list:
A6 – 105 x 148 mm
A5 – 148 x 210 mm
A4 – 210 x 297 mm
A3 – 297 x 420 mm
A2 – 420 x 594 mm
A1 – 594 x 840 mm
A0 – 840 x 1188 mm
We also use widely accepted custom sized paper formats:
DL – 99 x 210 mm (1/3 A4)
Business Card – 85 x 54 mm
Long Portrait: 105 x 297 mm (1/2 A4 sheet cut by long side)
A3 Third – 140 x 297 mm (1/3 A3)
Envelopes are slightly bigger than the accompanying formats to easily fit them in the envelopes. The Envelope formats are as follows:
C5 – 162 × 229 mm
C4 – 229 x 324 mm
C3 – 324 x 458 mm
Envelope DL – 110 x 220 mm
For A4 folders the RA4 215 × 305 mm paper size is used.
As there is no strict rules by which paper size must be used for any matter in particular, but it is widely accepted that flyers, brochures, dockets are A6-A4 size; booklets – A5, A4 size; catalogues, annual report – A4 size; posters are always bigger than A4 size; tickets are generally DL size, while cards and invites are usually A6 final size – plain or folded.
It is also more frequently used in portrait orientation (especially for folded and stapled booklets), but you don’t need to stick to those examples. Choose the size you want, be creative! For example, most of the mini catalogues are printed on A5 size, portrait orientation booklets, which is rather boring. But you don’t need to do it like others do – choose any size you desire, let’s say DL size, rotate it to landscape – this size is handier, friendlier and by putting fewer products on one page, you will make them more visible. But don’t stop there; use mid heavy bond paper, rather than dull silk – stand out from the crowd!
Please read below for paper types and other printing options.
Choosing right: Paper & Paper Weight
Printinghouse.ie offers you three main paper types: Uncoated (bond) paper and two types of coated paper: silk (matt) & gloss (art). We print on three main paper weights: 150 (standard) and two optional – 80 g. and 250 g. Some print types are printed on different paper as standard, i.e. business cards – on 350 g. paper, invites, greeting cards, folders – on 300 g. paper, stationery – on 120 g. Berga laser friendly paper, while dockets and envelopes – on 75 g. paper.
Other than this, nearly everything can be printed by choosing 3 types of paper and 3 types of paper weight. With this there are an extra 2 standard finishing options: matt or gloss laminating can be applied – that is a whopping 27 variations to choose from to create a truly unique approach to your printing requirements.
So what is the right paper and paper size for your different needs? While talking about paper weight, it is very simple. 80 g paper weight is used for cheap prints – mass flyers or for multipage catalogues, magazines or annual reports. Remember, the heavier print, the more expensive is distribution and delivery, and the cheaper it is to print! So it is wise to print on light paper in order to keep some money in your pocket.
150 g paper is an absolute winner for all occasions. It fits everywhere and with every print. Resistant to weather and time, its affordability makes it a popular choice and reduces print setup charges. It works for flyers and posters, invites and product catalogues.
250 g paper is designed mostly for covering purposes, i.e. magazines or catalogues; it is also used for invites or greeting cards. Some light folders might even be printed on this paper, but you should be careful as a light folder might not carry lots of inserts easily.
Choosing the right paper is up to you, and totally depends on your personal taste. There are no rules for choosing paper type, all we can offer are simple recommendations.
Silk (or Matt) paper produces nice quality prints but does not have that vibrant colour finish. Silk paper is not vulnerable to being marred by fingerprints and it produces a non-glare photo.
A paper with a gloss coating reflects light well, as compared to matt-coated paper. It is also called art paper. The colour printed on gloss paper is usually brighter and shinier than on silk paper, although the reflection of light makes the text difficult to read. Handling glossy paper can quickly and easily lead to fingerprints and dirt.
Thus, if your main purpose is information rather than a look, choose silk paper. As we said, it handles the dirt better; it is easier to read as it does not reflect the light like gloss paper. But if you are sending a message through look rather than just text, it would be more advisable to choose gloss paper.
What about uncoated (bond) paper? Well, you might call it a non-format. Use it, if you want to express yourself and go against the mainstream. Because of greater ink spread, the images are rather dull; the black is not deep, but that is not important if you print a fashion catalogue, a posh spa centre pricelist, or a bulletin about youth education. Express yourself!
Printinghouse.ie makes it easier for you to decide the most suitable paper type and weight, by implementing a user friendly pricing policy: the standard paper weight is 150 g., 80 g. paper is slightly cheaper, while 250 g. paper is slightly more expensive. Silk and gloss paper is charged at the same rate, while uncoated paper is slightly more expensive.
Choosing right: Special Effects & Finishing Options
So you’ve chosen your print type, paper, and colours. In most cases this will be enough. But if you want to give your print a little bit of glitter, a sense of richness, originality or simply be different from the masses, www.printinghouse.ie can offer you some special finishing options for your consideration.
Laminating
This is the process of applying a film to either one side or both sides of a printed document. The use of lamination serves several purposes:
Lamination adds lustre or gloss to a printed product. It provides stability to the sheet, allowing it to be more durable or stand upright. Many laminated documents are waterproof, tear proof, and tamper proof.
Depending on film used, the laminating process is divided into gloss laminatingand matt laminating.
Gloss Laminating – a type of laminationused for vibrant and shinier colours. It is mostly used on magazine covers, sometimes flyers or promotional booklets. While Matt Lamination used for the ultimate smooth, top-quality feel. It is usually applied on Presentation folders and business cards.
www.printinghouse.ie is happy to announce that it charges the same forboth gloss and matt lamination. So you don’t need to worry about the expenses, just about the choice. Matt and gloss laminating prices are shown as finishing options in all print types, where this process can be applied. The main restriction of the laminating process is that it can only be applied on 250 g. and heavier paper.
Die Cutting
This method involves the use of metal dies to give paper or substrate products specific shapes or designs. By using knife-edge cutting blades formed into a pattern or die, a machine presses the die into the material to produce the desired shape.
In some cases it is a standard process, i.e. in making folders, dies cutting forms flaps that fold or are glued to form a pocket; or in window envelopes, the method makes a window for the address on the letter to be seen through.
But you can use die cutting for making the print that is unique and targeted to your design requirements. In booklet print, you may die cut any form on the cover, so that the print on the inner page will be seen, thus delivering some interesting ideas. For instance, you may print a flyer and die cut it to the form of a key, and say: this is your key to success... These are very common suggestions, you can realise your own ideas with die cutting.
This method requires the custom made die. The prices for the die start from €150 depending on complexity of the desired shape. Please call us to get the best price for die cutting.
Perforating
A very similar method is called Perforating. This process does not fully trim the desired materials away from the original shape, but instead creates a cut out area that remains in place. Perforating is used when a desired section is to be removed from the document, but not immediately. It is widely used in tickets, docket books and various forms. Perforating in www.printinghouse.ie is free of charge!
Varnishing
A varnish is a liquid coating applied to a printed surface (for example the outside of a presentation folder) to add a clear glossy, matte, satin, or neutral finish.
Varnishing also serves several purposes:
- To create a great first impression,
- To instantly raise the interest level of the recipient,
- To add to the drama and punch of your message,
- To increases the perceived value of your product,
- To make sure your printing more likely to be read and kept!
These are main varnishing types: Gloss Varnishing, Matte Varnishing, Machine Sealing, UV Varnishing, Spot UV Varnish.
Gloss Varnishing, Matt varnishing and Machine Sealing are used mainly for technical purposes. These are applied on printing surfaces as it locks the ink in from being fingered, especially a solid black print, where a lot of ink used. Gloss varnish also enhances the appearance of the colours, while matt varnish gives the printed surface a non-glossy, smooth look.
More interestingly, design-wise is UV varnish especially Spot UV Varnish. Spot Varnish is applied to chosen spots(areas), of a printed piece, i.e. on the logo in the presentation folder or a water drop in the aqua style brochure. This has the affect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design, but it also provides the additional visual stimulus of having varied textures on a single printed surface. This adds a lot of interest, and can identify the printing as a premium piece of literature in the perception of the reader.
One very effective technique is to apply a UV gloss spot varnish on top of matt laminated printing. This achieves maximum contrast between the highly reflective shiny UV coating and the light-absorbing matt laminate, and can, for instance, create a striking first impression on presentation folders or a brochure cover.
Foil Print
When a print project needs an elegant metallic finish to be applied to paper, it's easily accomplished using a process referred to as foil printing or foilmetal, or stamping. The reproduction of graphics such as logos polished highlighted spot areas requiring a high quality reflective image can be effectively achieved by using foil films rather than metallic inks for the end result. Metallic inks, which are similar to standard printing inks, provide a subdued metallic appearance. The natural tendency of the ink to be absorbed into the stock contributes to a duller looking effect.
However, Foil stamping requires a metal plate with an engraved image. The plate strikes a foil film, transferring the foil coating from the roll film onto the substrate that is to be imprinted. The substrate then receives the high-density metallic finish, resulting in a reflective image with a bright and dense metallic appearance. A wide selection of foil colours, finishes, and effects are available, but mainly used such as gold and silver foil.
Gold Foil – this is a method of printing that releases a golden colour foil from its backing when stamped with the heated die. This “expensive look” method is used on presentation folders, some business cards and other high-end prints. Identically theSilver Foil uses silver colour for stamping.
Emboss
Embossing – this is a process that applies pressure to the backside of a material to alter the surface, giving it a threedimensional or raised effect. The procedure involves the use of two dies; one fitting into the other so that the raised die forces the stock into the recessed die to create the embossed impression. A die maker engraves the desired image, or copy, into several metal plates, which are the embossing dies for use on an embossing press. Generally, embossing is the process most often employed to attract attention or convey a high quality textural contrast in relation to the surrounding area of the stock. A thorough understanding of the process will allow for a more successful result. An embossed image is shown below.
Debossing – this is the term used to describe the opposite process or effect, which involves applying pressure to the front side of a stock forcing the material away or down from the paper surface. Although it is not as commonly used as embossing, debossing is occasionally used to provide a different effect or appearance that fits a particular theme. A debossed image is shown below.
Both Embossing and debossing are usually used for:
- Logos or accents surrounding logos,
- Borders or highlights surrounding images or information used to attract attention,
- Elegant accents for distinctive symbols, images, graphics, or lines,
- Occasionally used for security in the form of seals or symbols of authenticity on certification for government documents, corporate papers, and official materials.
It is considered an older form of security as more alternatives in print and technology have been developed, because Varnishing, Foil Print and Embossing prices are subject to the applied surface, www.printinghouse.ie doesn’t offer their standard pricelist. You may enquire these prices before ordering the print. Your bonus credits won’t be affected.