Once the project has been printed, that does not mean the work is complete. There is a lot involved in the post-printing process. This process completes the project and comprises a vast array of services. Understanding this process is crucial for allowing you to seek professional help for finishing a wide range of creative projects for business or pleasure.

Post Printing Finishes Projects to Exacting Standards

Many people do not realize the sheer amount of work that is involved in the printing process. Whether your project consists of an off-set, letterpress, or digital creation, some steps must be completed to finish the project. Post printing involves the following.

• Folding
• Cutting
• Collating
• Sewing
• Inserting
• UV
• Hot foil stamping
• Embossing
• Die-cutting
• Matt lamination
• Silkscreen
• Tipping
• Binding

Binding

Authors rely on post-printing processes to bind their books. There are multiple ways books are bound, and they include sewn paperback binding, saddle and loop stitching, perfect binding, spiral binding, and more.

A book cannot be enjoyed if it is not placed in a specific and readable order. Bookbinding is a practice that dates back as long as 2,000 years. Although the binding process is more modernized now, it still involves some of the same methods.

Embossing

Embossing is the process of creating raised relief images in paper. Embossing helps to bring all types of paper projects to life. It can be used on greeting cards, books, artwork, pamphlets, and more.

The process of embossing involves the use of two different dies. One is recessed, and one is raised. When the paper is pressed between the two dies, an embossed pattern is created. The embossed work can then be gilded, foiled, painted, or left plain, depending on the project.

Collating

Collation is a critical part of finishing any major printing projects. Making sure all of the pages are in order is vital for ensuring the material is readable and understandable.

When mistakes are made in the collation process, the printed materials are not going to offer the right effect with readers. Having the pages professionally collated ensures the end project is aligned correctly and in the proper order before it is sent out.

Hot Foil Stamping

Hot stamping is a process where ink or foil is pressed into reliefs at a high temperature, fully bonding the two materials. Hot stamping has been a printing practice since the early nineteenth century.

The process of hot stamping involves a heated die and a metalized roll leaf carrier. The project is placed beneath the die and roll leaf carrier, so the hot foil is stamped into the paper permanently.

Many types of foil can be used to produce high-quality hot foil stamping projects. Printers can use holographic foils, non-metallic, pigment foils, and more. The hot foil stamping process can be customized to handle a wide variety of printing projects.

Thermal Gloss

Placing thermal gloss on a printed projected leads to a beautiful sheen. Thermal gloss can be used to accent certain parts of a print project, to make them stand out from the rest of the material.

Thermal gloss can also be used to protect print projects and ensure they stay looking beautiful for many years to come. Thermal gloss makes print work spring to life because the colors become more vivid.

Cutting

Cutting processes must be carried out precisely to avoid inconsistencies in a print project. There are many cutting processes involved in finishing printed projects. Sometimes, shapes need to be cut out and applied.

Having access to professional cutting machines is essential for a professional and polished appearance. These machines make quick work of finishing all types of print projects.

Lamination

Lamination involves placing a printed project between two pieces of plastic and bonding the layers together to form one project.

The benefits of laminating print projects include the following.

• Lamination extends the life of print projects, making them last much longer without becoming damaged.
• Laminating a print project protects it from smudges, stains, spills, fingerprints, and moisture.
• Lamination helps to increase the stiffness and strength of paper projects, which is vital for their protection.
• Thankfully, lamination uses a completely transparent material, so it does not interfere with the design aspect of any printed project.
• Lamination is also affordable and allows you to protect print projects without the high cost of some other applications.

Some Ideas for Lamination Include the following.

There are many ways matt lamination can add to your print projects. Consider the following to spark your imagination.

• Educational and training materials
• Restaurant menus
• Photo collages
• Business and membership cards
• Posters
• Charts
• Scrapbook pages

UV Protection

UV rays are one of the biggest enemies of all types of print projects. If your print projects are to last, they must be protected with the highest level of protection against UV rays. The sun’s rays can cause the following types of damage to paper projects.

• UV rays fade the colors of print projects.
• These rays can also cause printed images to fade or darken, depending on the materials.
• UV rays destroy printed photos, so they must be adequately protected.
• The rays from the sun can cause the paper to begin to break down and become brittle, making it more likely to become damaged over time.

With post-printing UV protection, the colors of your printed projects will remain brilliant and true to their natural richness. Archival print projects must especially be covered with protection. Relying on a professional ensures your print projects are adequately sealed and protected from UV rays that can lead to catastrophic damage.

Inserts

As a part of the printing process, inserts are sometimes needed. Inserts allow you to supplement the materials in a print project, to add depth and increased meaning.

While there are machines that handle inserts, there is no substitute for human intervention. When choosing a company to handle the entire post-printing process, it is essential to choose wisely. The right professionals can help to ensure the project is completed promptly and carried out to exacting specifications.

Silkscreen

Silkscreen printing allows you to print bold designs on fabrics. Silkscreen, also known as Serigraph, has been around as long as 500 A.D. Today, digital models can be used to create almost limitless designs. T-shirts can be produced for special events, to advertise a business, and for many other types of reasons.

Reasons for Hiring the Professionals for Post Printing

Post printing can be a tedious and time-consuming process, especially when you do not have the right equipment. There are many reasons for working with the professionals for the post-printing process.

1. The professionals have all the heavy-duty equipment that is necessary for different types of post-printing projects. It would be incredibly expensive to purchase the various tools and equipment that are needed, so hiring professionals ensures the process is less costly in the long run.
2. Most people hire experts when they need their project to look as professional and polished as possible. Big print projects require careful consideration.
3. The quality of the materials is another crucial reason so many people choose to work with professional post printers.
4. Convenience is a big reason for choosing a professional to carry out the work. Many people lead busy lives and do not have the time to devote to all the work that must be carried out in the post-printing process.
5. Hiring a professional can take away a great deal of the stress involved in completing a large print project.

Printing Is Still an Important Medium

Although there are now more ways to complete projects than ever before, print is still a medium that remains important. Whether you are creating print projects for business or personal needs, there is no better way to reach the intended audience and make a statement.

Since the first computer printer was created in 1938, the printing process has evolved immensely. Today, much of the process can be programmed via a computer, so the post-print aspect of any project is carried out to meet the exact needs of the customer.

If you want to capture an audience’s attention and make a statement that will be remembered, print projects are the way to go. With so many post-print steps involved, it is wise to work with a company that is experienced and has the tools and equipment necessary for completing the work.

Print is an inexpensive medium to work with, and rich details can be added without adding too much in the way of cost. Hiring a post-printing company will allow you access to a professional touch that can accelerate your creativity.

Conclusion

The right post-printing processes are essential for finalizing all types of print projects and ensuring they are completed appropriately. There are so many options that can help to bring your print projects to life and even extend their protection so they last.

Working with professionals will help to ensure all types of print projects are finished professionally. Leaving your projects to the professionals will save time, money, and aggravation in the process.