🖨️ Printing Methods (When to choose what)
Offset Printing — Best for brand-critical color and volume. Think smooth gradients, consistent halftones, and the lowest unit cost at scale.
Digital Printing — Ideal for short runs, pilots, or versioned content. Faster setups, reliable color, and great for tight deadlines or frequent updates.
Color Management — We work in CMYK with ICC profiles; Pantone spot-color matching is available for logos and strict brand palettes.
Proofing Path — PDF soft proof → calibrated hard proof (on stock) → optional press proof for high-stakes campaigns.
✨ Surface Finishes (Look, feel, and protection)
Lamination (✨ Gloss / 🧁 Matte / 🧴 Soft-Touch)
Think of lamination as the “topcoat.” Gloss pops photos; matte reads premium; soft-touch adds that velvety, high-end feel and scuff resistance.Spot UV & 3D UV (🔳 Shine where it matters)
Raise contrast on titles, logos, or hero images. 3D UV adds tactile height for extra drama.Foil Stamping (🥇 Gold / 🥈 Silver / 🌈 Holographic)
Foil catches light differently from ink—perfect for seals, marks of quality, or luxury SKUs.Emboss & Deboss (🪡 Texture you can feel)
Elevate a crest, monogram, or product name. Combine with foil for a “couture” finish.Varnish & AQ Coating (💧 Uniform protection)
Great for large print areas when you want durability without the thickness of lamination.Die-Cut Windows / Shapes (✂️ See-through reveals)
Add curiosity to covers, or create custom shapes for event series or product tiers.Rounded Corners / Edge Options (◻️→◜)
Softer handling for giveaways, children’s content, or hospitality packs.
📚 Binding-Aware Choices (Finish + Structure that work together)
Saddle-Stitched — Keep inner stock lighter (≤170gsm) for a neat fold; use lamination or spot UV sparingly to avoid spine cracking.
Perfect Bound — Loves heavier covers (250–350gsm) and premium finishes (soft-touch + foil = brand book magic). See examples on our Perfect Bound Booklet Manufacturers page.
Spiral / Wire-O — Pages lie flat; UV/lamination protects frequent-use manuals, menus, and training kits.
📄 Paper & Ink Notes (Readability, weight, sustainability)
Inner Pages — 105–170gsm coated for vivid images; uncoated for note-friendly manuals and editorial tone.
Covers — 250–350gsm card for structure; add lamination for scratch resistance.
Inks — CMYK process as standard; soy-based options and recycled/FSC papers available for sustainability specs.
🧭 Recommended Combos (Proven, field-tested pairings)
Launch Catalog (Image-heavy): Offset + 157gsm gloss inner + 300gsm matte laminated cover + spot UV on logo.
Corporate Profile (Premium feel): Offset + 150gsm silk inner + 320gsm soft-touch cover + gold foil + deboss title.
Training Manual (High use): Digital (short-run) + 128–150gsm matte inner + Wire-O + matte lamination for durability.
Event Program (Fast & Fresh): Digital + 128gsm silk inner + 250gsm gloss cover; minimal finishes for speed.
🧪 Proofing & QA (So you know exactly what will print)
File Check: CMYK, 300dpi images, 3mm bleed, safe margins respected.
Color Proof: Calibrated proof on chosen stock for sign-off.
Make-Ready: First-off inspection on press; adjustments locked before full run.
Retention: Specs archived to match reprints perfectly.
🚚 Lead Times, MOQ & Scale
MOQ: From 100–200 units (digital/offset dependent); specialty finishes may require higher MOQs.
Lead Time: Typically 7–15 business days post-proof; add 2–3 days for complex foils/embossing or die-cuts.
Logistics: Export-grade packing, moisture control, corner guards, and routed shipping (air/sea/courier) by region.
🏭 Why Work With Us (The factory difference)
A factory partner means calibrated presses, finishing lines next door, and one project owner from file to freight. We combine cost control with repeatable quality—and we document every spec so your next print looks exactly like this one, not “close enough.”
FAQs
Q1: CMYK looks different from my RGB screen—why?
Screens emit light; paper reflects it. We convert to CMYK with ICC profiles and provide proofs so you approve real-world color, not just pixels.
Q2: Is soft-touch lamination durable for frequent handling?
Yes—soft-touch resists scuffs well. For heavy traffic (manuals/menus), we might pair it with thicker covers or consider matte lam + spot UV on key areas.
Q3: What’s the MOQ for foil or embossing?
Typically 300–500 due to tooling. We can sometimes do smaller runs; we’ll advise based on sheet layout and die size.
Q4: Can you match my Pantone brand color exactly?
We’ll run Pantone inks or set a CMYK build with on-press adjustments. A hard proof ensures you sign off on the final look before mass print.
