Below is a collection of answers to the most common questions we receive from our customers. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach out—we're here to ensure you have the information you need for the perfect final result.
How is lamination film measured?
What is large format printing?
What Is Wire-O Binding?
Wire-O binding is a modern and widely used bookbinding technique. It employs a series of double-loop wires to secure the pages. This method is known for its ability to lay flat when open, a feature valued in many professional settings.
What does bleed mean?
In printing, the term "Bleed" means that the ink coverage extends all the way to the edge of the paper.
How is lamination film measured?
Lamination film is measured in mil thicknesses. One mil is equal to .001" or 1/1000ths of an inch (a mil is not the same as a millimeter). Hence, a lamination film measuring 1.5mil would be .0015" thick. Likewise, a film measuring 10mil would be .010" thick. Also, because your printing will be sandwiched between two pieces of laminate, a 1.5mil laminate will increase the overall thickness of your printed piece by 3 mil (.003"). Likewise, a 10mil laminate will increase the overall thickness by 20 mil (.020").
What is a soft touch finish?
In printing, the term "soft touch" is often used as a generic reference to any finishing method that adds a velvety soft feel to print materials. Unlike most design elements that appeal to the sense of sight, a soft touch finish allows a printed piece to gain distinction by stimulating the sense of touch.
What is large format printing?
Large Format Printing refers to print materials that are too large to be printed on the most readily available sizes of commercial printing presses. Sometimes called wide-format printing or grand-format printing, large format printing requires the use of specialty production equipment that can accommodate bigger-than-normal print dimensions.
What is miniature folding?
Miniature Folding, or Mini Folding, is a specialized paper folding method that transforms a large sheet of paper into a very compact size. The miniature folding method is used when a great deal of printed information - such as detailed consumer data or instructions in multiple languages - must be included with a product, but there is minimal room within the product's packaging to do so.
What is grayscale printing?
In commercial printing, the term Grayscale refers to a technique for creating images, such as photographs or designs, using different percentages of black ink to create varying shades of gray.
What is sequential numbering?
Sequential Numbering, also known as Consecutive Numbering, refers to the printing of ascending or descending identification numbers so that each printed unit receives its own unique number. This unique number can appear in one position, or in multiple positions, on each document. In addition to providing a method for easy reference, sequential numbers provide a high degree of accounting control. Sequential numbers are often printed in red ink so they can be seen easily.
What is UV printing?
UV Printing refers to a commercial printing process that uses ultraviolet curing technology. Also known as Ultraviolet Printing, the UV Printing process involves special inks that have been formulated to dry quickly when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
What is a flood coat?
In the print industry, a Flood Coat refers to any coating that covers the entire surface of a paper sheet or other substrate. As the name implies, Flood Coating is a term associated with coatings applied in liquid form. Flood Coating is most commonly used to describe the application of a protective or decorative coating, such as a UV coating, aqueous coating, or varnish. In the majority of cases, coatings of this nature are applied as a Flood Coat over a printed surface-leaving no portion of the sheet uncoated.
What is a physical mockup?
In the world of printing, a Physical Mock-Up refers to a representative sample that is created prior to production. Physical mock-ups are used to help evaluate the look, feel and function of an item before any actual printing takes place.
What is an accordion fold?
An Accordion Fold refers to a document folding method that uses a series of alternating folds to create multiple panels of a similar size. The parallel pleats formed by the alternating folds resemble the expandable mid-section of an Accordion musical instrument, hence the name "Accordion Fold."
What are flip cards?
Flip Cards are durable cards, usually created as sets, which convey printed information in a simple and convenient format. Used most often for reference or instructional purposes, flip card sets may consist of just a few cards or they may compile a thick deck.
What is duplex printing?
Duplex Printing refers to the printing of content on both sides of a sheet of paper. It is a term most often associated with projects produced on digital printing presses (a related concept, called perfecting, is most often associated with offset printing presses).
These are just a few of the many questions we get asked on a daily basis about printing techniques and printing lingo. Do you have other questions about the printing process? Reach out to us at 866-938-3757 or submit our contact form. As always we are happy to help!
Take Care,
Rick
