Digital vs Offset OFFSET: Offset lithography is the most commonly trusted, high volume commercial printing technology. In offset printing, the design image is first burned onto a plate, and is then transferred (or offset) from the plate to a rubber sheet, and finally to the printing surface. The lithographic process is based on the repulsion of oil and water. The image to be printed gets ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a film of water, keeping the non-printing areas ink-free. DIGITAL: If you have a desktop printer at home, you're likely already familiar with the mechanical process of digital printing. Many of the mechanical steps required for offset printing are eliminated (namely, making films and color proofs, manually stripping the pieces together, and making plates), which results in a much more affordable print solution.
ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL & OFFSET METHODSDIGITAL ADVANTAGES:In general…1. Shorter turnaround time2. Lower costs for very small print runs3. Capability of variable data printing (database driven, e.g. mailing lists) OFFSET ADVANTAGES:In general…1. Higher image quality, higher resolution and no streaks/spots.2. Works on a wide range of printing surfaces including paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper, and plastic.3. The unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.4. Quality and cost-effectiveness in high volume jobs.PRINTING: PANTONE OR PROCESS? The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is the definitive international reference for selecting, specifying, matching, and controlling ink colors. Pantone is generally used where a logo needs to be printed in exact "company" colors. Pantone is also critical for projects using "full coverage" or "heavy coverage," which refers to the percentage of the page covered by ink. If you are printing a solid red background, you are best served using a PMS red.
Process color (aka 4-color process, full-color process or CMYK) is a blend of 4 standard ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These are printer's primaries and can be combined to create the majority of visible ink colors. Process color is necessary for photographs and highly complex images.
Sometimes jobs will be print with both PMS and process color. Very rarely are jobs printed with more than five PMS colors, typically one to three colors. Printing presses are limited in the number of inks they can use at one time, and higher quantities of Pantone colors can be cost prohibitive.Print Coatings: Varnish, Aqueous, Lamination, & UV Overprint VarnishApplying varnish is an inexpensive way to add gloss to your printed piece. Although not as hard as other coatings, varnish does offer some protection; mainly resistance to dirt, smearing and water. Varnish can be applied two ways; overprint/flood (applied over entire printed surface for protection) or spot/pattern (applied to select elements for emphasis). Gloss varnish reflects more light and adds to the sharpness and saturation of images, while matte or dull varnish increases readability by diffusing light and reducing glare. This economical finish provides a mild shine and protection but can yellow paper over time. Aqueous CoatingAqueous coatings are fast-drying, water-based, protective sealants particularly resistant to smudges and fingerprints. Aqueous formulations afford greater protection than varnish and have gloss characteristics that fall between varnish and UV coatings. A high gloss finish has less rub resistance and conversely, greater rub resistance reduces the degree of gloss. They are not water/liquid resistant, because the cured coating does inhibit complete drying of the inks on the folder. Advantage of aqueous coating over conventional varnish: * Higher gloss * Better clarity * Faster drying * Will not yellow with age * Higher abrasion * Higher rub resistance * Environmentally friendly (water-based) * Glossier finish on lesser grade papers LaminateLaminates come in two types, film-based and liquid-based. Either a clear plastic film is laid down over the sheet of paper or a clear liquid is spread over the sheet and dries (or cures) like a varnish. Laminates protect the sheet from water, are slow to apply and costly; but provide a strong, washable surface. Film lamination features high gloss with a very smooth, tough finish. This durable plastic film has advantages over liquid coating at a slightly higher cost. Film lamination will not yellow with age, flake off, and is scratch resistant. In addition, the ink is protected from cracking and provides an odorless/wipeable surface. UV CoatingUV coating is a liquid-based, protective coating which is applied and cured by ultraviolet lamps, leaving an extremely high gloss hard finish that is chemical and abrasion resistant. UV coatings are solvent free and emit no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Drying is instantaneous with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Spot cover, raised effects and a very heavy coating for extra shine and protection are possible. Advantage of UV coating over other coating methods: * Highest gloss * Better clarity * Higher abrasion * Higher rub resistance Printing must be done with UV inks or inks that do not contain micro crystalline wax (also called wax-free). Pigments must be heat and chemical resistant. If nonresistant colors are used, the color may fade, change or bleed into unprinted areas. It is more difficult to recycle than the other coatings, and this thick coating may crack when scored or folded. Other ConsiderationsTypically UV coatings and film lamination require additional time for drying of ink before coating and curing after coating. Typically aqueous and overprint varnish do not require any extra lead time. You will often find that different manufacturers have different coating preferences and opinions as it relates to folder design. Typically these are based on in-house equipment availability, operator experience, and personal aesthetic preferences. While all four press coatings mentioned have advantages and disadvantage, there are situations where each shine. We would be happy to discuss them with you as they pertain to your specific folder printing project.
Email Marketing:Do’s and Don’ts Email Glossary
Direct Mail and Fulfillment:Database Specifications USPS HomeAddress LookupRetail Postage
Deciding How to Send Your Mail- What size is the piece? (Postcard, Letter, Large Envelope (Flat), Parcel)- Postcard Mailing Options- Letter Mailing Options- Flat Mailing Options- Parcel Mailing Options - Determining Standard Mail Eligibility
Preparing Your Mail - Addressing overviewhttp://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg300/Q401a.htm- Move Updating- Designing Letters for Automated Processing- Designing Flats for Automated Processing- Designing Parcels for Automated Processing
ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL & OFFSET METHODSDIGITAL ADVANTAGES:In general…1. Shorter turnaround time2. Lower costs for very small print runs3. Capability of variable data printing (database driven, e.g. mailing lists) OFFSET ADVANTAGES:In general…1. Higher image quality, higher resolution and no streaks/spots.2. Works on a wide range of printing surfaces including paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper, and plastic.3. The unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.4. Quality and cost-effectiveness in high volume jobs.PRINTING: PANTONE OR PROCESS? The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is the definitive international reference for selecting, specifying, matching, and controlling ink colors. Pantone is generally used where a logo needs to be printed in exact "company" colors. Pantone is also critical for projects using "full coverage" or "heavy coverage," which refers to the percentage of the page covered by ink. If you are printing a solid red background, you are best served using a PMS red.
Process color (aka 4-color process, full-color process or CMYK) is a blend of 4 standard ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These are printer's primaries and can be combined to create the majority of visible ink colors. Process color is necessary for photographs and highly complex images.
Sometimes jobs will be print with both PMS and process color. Very rarely are jobs printed with more than five PMS colors, typically one to three colors. Printing presses are limited in the number of inks they can use at one time, and higher quantities of Pantone colors can be cost prohibitive.Print Coatings: Varnish, Aqueous, Lamination, & UV Overprint VarnishApplying varnish is an inexpensive way to add gloss to your printed piece. Although not as hard as other coatings, varnish does offer some protection; mainly resistance to dirt, smearing and water. Varnish can be applied two ways; overprint/flood (applied over entire printed surface for protection) or spot/pattern (applied to select elements for emphasis). Gloss varnish reflects more light and adds to the sharpness and saturation of images, while matte or dull varnish increases readability by diffusing light and reducing glare. This economical finish provides a mild shine and protection but can yellow paper over time. Aqueous CoatingAqueous coatings are fast-drying, water-based, protective sealants particularly resistant to smudges and fingerprints. Aqueous formulations afford greater protection than varnish and have gloss characteristics that fall between varnish and UV coatings. A high gloss finish has less rub resistance and conversely, greater rub resistance reduces the degree of gloss. They are not water/liquid resistant, because the cured coating does inhibit complete drying of the inks on the folder. Advantage of aqueous coating over conventional varnish: * Higher gloss * Better clarity * Faster drying * Will not yellow with age * Higher abrasion * Higher rub resistance * Environmentally friendly (water-based) * Glossier finish on lesser grade papers LaminateLaminates come in two types, film-based and liquid-based. Either a clear plastic film is laid down over the sheet of paper or a clear liquid is spread over the sheet and dries (or cures) like a varnish. Laminates protect the sheet from water, are slow to apply and costly; but provide a strong, washable surface. Film lamination features high gloss with a very smooth, tough finish. This durable plastic film has advantages over liquid coating at a slightly higher cost. Film lamination will not yellow with age, flake off, and is scratch resistant. In addition, the ink is protected from cracking and provides an odorless/wipeable surface. UV CoatingUV coating is a liquid-based, protective coating which is applied and cured by ultraviolet lamps, leaving an extremely high gloss hard finish that is chemical and abrasion resistant. UV coatings are solvent free and emit no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Drying is instantaneous with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Spot cover, raised effects and a very heavy coating for extra shine and protection are possible. Advantage of UV coating over other coating methods: * Highest gloss * Better clarity * Higher abrasion * Higher rub resistance Printing must be done with UV inks or inks that do not contain micro crystalline wax (also called wax-free). Pigments must be heat and chemical resistant. If nonresistant colors are used, the color may fade, change or bleed into unprinted areas. It is more difficult to recycle than the other coatings, and this thick coating may crack when scored or folded. Other ConsiderationsTypically UV coatings and film lamination require additional time for drying of ink before coating and curing after coating. Typically aqueous and overprint varnish do not require any extra lead time. You will often find that different manufacturers have different coating preferences and opinions as it relates to folder design. Typically these are based on in-house equipment availability, operator experience, and personal aesthetic preferences. While all four press coatings mentioned have advantages and disadvantage, there are situations where each shine. We would be happy to discuss them with you as they pertain to your specific folder printing project.
Email Marketing:Do’s and Don’ts Email Glossary
Direct Mail and Fulfillment:Database Specifications USPS HomeAddress LookupRetail Postage
Deciding How to Send Your Mail- What size is the piece? (Postcard, Letter, Large Envelope (Flat), Parcel)- Postcard Mailing Options- Letter Mailing Options- Flat Mailing Options- Parcel Mailing Options - Determining Standard Mail Eligibility
Preparing Your Mail - Addressing overviewhttp://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg300/Q401a.htm- Move Updating- Designing Letters for Automated Processing- Designing Flats for Automated Processing- Designing Parcels for Automated Processing
Printing:
