Printing and print finishing processes – a practical FAQ. Part I
Printing processes, bindery/finishing operations, and print enhancements are terms that print-shop customers encounter very often—both during the design stage and when an order is being produced. Concepts such as paper grammage, lamination, embossing, die-cutting, or folding can sound confusing, yet in practice they have a direct impact on the appearance, durability, and functionality of printed materials.
With this article, you’ll learn what these unclear terms mean and make it easier to submit inquiries. You’ll find practical information about printing, finishing, and processing materials such as user manuals, warranty cards, product packaging, or control panels. This guide will help you communicate more effectively with the print shop, avoid costly mistakes, and consciously choose the right technologies for your project.
Paper grammage
What is paper grammage and how should you understand it?
Paper grammage is a parameter that specifies the weight of one square meter of paper, expressed in grams per square meter (g/m²). The higher the grammage, the thicker, stiffer, and more durable the paper is. A lower grammage means greater flexibility and a thinner sheet.
What paper grammage is best for printing user manuals, warranty cards, and covers?
For catalog and manual covers, higher-grammage paper is most commonly used—typically 170 to 250 g/m²—because it provides stiffness and durability. The inside pages of user manuals and brochures are usually printed on lower-grammage papers, e.g., 60 to 90 g/m².
Lamination
What is lamination in printing?
Lamination is the process of covering a print with a thin protective plastic film. Its main purpose is to increase resistance to moisture, abrasion, and mechanical damage, but it is also used as a decorative finish that enhances the look of the final product.
What types of lamination are there and how do they differ?
The most common types are gloss, matte, and soft-touch lamination. Gloss film boosts color saturation; matte film slightly mutes colors and reduces glare; soft-touch gives the surface a velvety, pleasant-to-the-touch finish.
Embossing
What is embossing and how does it work?
Embossing is a technique that mechanically deforms the surface of plastic, paper, or cardboard using a die. The result is a raised or recessed pattern created without inks, toners, or foils.
Where is embossing most often used?
Embossing is a popular enhancement for marketing materials such as business cards, catalogs, and invitations. It is also used in functional products and electronic devices, e.g., control panels and keyboards, where it is used to emboss buttons.
Die-cutting
What is die-cutting and what is it used for?
Die-cutting is the process of cutting a desired shape from a sheet of material using cutting dies. It enables fast, repeatable cutting of contours, as well as perforating and creasing/folding elements used in product packaging, control panels, or labels.
When is die-cutting a better choice than other cutting methods?
Die-cutting works best for medium and large production runs, where the cost of making the die can be spread across a higher number of units. It provides high repeatability and precision.
Plotter cutting
What is plotter cutting?
Plotter cutting is a method of cutting materials using a cutting or milling plotter, without the need for a physical die. The shape is cut directly from a graphic file, which allows for high production flexibility.
Why is plotter cutting ideal for small runs?
Because there is no need to produce a cutting die, initial costs are lower. That’s why plotter cutting is perfect for low volumes, prototypes, and projects that require frequent changes and quick turnaround.
Creasing
What is creasing and why is it used?
Creasing involves making a straight indentation in paper or cardboard to facilitate neat folding. It prevents cracking, especially on higher-grammage papers.
Which products require creasing before folding?
Creasing is used, among other things, for covers, catalogs, leaflets, warranty cards, and product boxes. It helps the finished piece look good and remain durable at the fold.
Folding
What is folding in printing?
Folding is the technique of folding a sheet of paper once or multiple times to achieve the final format and number of pages in a section/signature. Each fold creates a fold line.
What types of folding are there and when are they used?
Common types include parallel, cross, and accordion (zig-zag) folding. The choice depends on the graphic design, the function of the print, and the desired visual effect—e.g., in leaflets or drilling templates.
Perforation
What is paper perforation?
Perforation is the creation of regular holes or cuts along a line to allow easy, controlled tearing off a part of the material without damaging the rest of the print.
Where is perforation most often used in printing?
Perforation is widely used in warranty cards, tickets, coupons, NCR pads, and labels. It ensures clean separation exactly where intended.
Etisoft professional print shop – trust the experts!
Knowing the basics of printing and bindery/finishing processes makes cooperation with a print shop much easier and helps achieve a better final result—both in terms of aesthetics and durability. Selecting the right paper grammage, cutting method, folding technique, or print enhancement has a real impact on the functionality of the finished product.
If you are looking for a print shop that can guarantee timely and repeatable deliveries of user manuals, choose Etisoft—a trusted partner for companies in the home appliance (white goods) and automotive industries. Graffiti Printing House, part of the Etisoft Group since 2011, has a modern production base and a team of experienced specialists who help customers navigate industry terms and definitions. As a result, every order is delivered with the highest care, attention to detail, and in compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements. Contact us to discuss cooperation and receive an individual quote tailored to your needs.
