The Finishing Stage: Coating, Binding, Folding and More
The first stage of printing is preparation, which includes designing, filming and printing plate. The next stage is printing, and the final stage is finishing. The stage after printing includes print binding and coating. The services provided in the finishing stage are one of the most lucrative parts of a printing business.
Coverings are all called print coating. Matte, varnish, laminated and UV are different types of coating, and the important ones are matte and UV. UV coating means adding a shiny quality to a print product. There is a type of UV called local UV, which is only applied on certain parts of a page, and those parts get shiny. Matte coating is the same except the product is matted. Laminated is mostly used in visiting cards and cardboard flyers.
Basic information is enough in case of print binding. The final price offered by printing offices for a print product includes binding costs as well. For example, you ask the printing office for the price of a 120-page book with 500 print runs, 70g paper, 250g cover and a glued binding.
A folding line divides an invitation, a brochure or a catalog into multiple parts so you can fold them. In a book, a folding line is drawn near the spine so the book won't open to the end and the binding glue will last longer. Perforation punches small holes and carves a dotted design on paper; a ticket, for example, can be divided into two pieces. Numbering is applied in certain products such as bills.
The printing world is so expansive that you can start a prosperous business by engaging in just one single part of it. Always give quality service to your customers, and constantly look out for new technologies and products that can help you offer more options.