Glossary

Need more clarification about print terminology? Then get clued up with our printing glossary. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

56 articles in this collection
Written by Lucy O'Donoghue

Wirebound synthetic sheets

Wirebound synthetic sheets are a waterproof and highly durable bound option. This product is a great choice for documents, manuals & more.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Presentation Folders NOT CONFIGURED VPH

The front and back covers are fully customisable and printed on 350GSM Silk with a glued pocket inside, holding up to X sheets of paper.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Loop stitch binding

Loop stitching is an alternative to saddle stitching. The two staples that bind the booklet are looped instead of flat.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Printing Terms

Number of pages

The number of pages refers to your document's total number of pages. This is automatically calculated when you upload your file.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Sheets of paper

Sheets refer to a single sheet of paper which consists of two sides. If your file has 20 pages and is printed single-sided, 20 are needed.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Orientation

Page orientation refers to the direction a page is displayed for viewing. A vertical page is the width is smaller than the height.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Single sided printed (simplex)

One side of the paper will be printed when single-sided printing is chosen. The number of sheets will be the same as the printed sides.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Double sided printing (duplex)

When double-sided printing is chosen, both sides of the paper will be printed. The number of printed sides will be twice of sheets.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Flipping edge

We use the following flipping edge for unbound documents: for portrait documents - long edge or for landscape documents - short edge.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Ink colour

We can print your document in black and white or in colour. The document will be printed on a colour machine if colour is selected.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Paper

Matt (paper finish)

Matt paper stock is similar to a standard home or office paper. It is used for a wide range of documents, corporate stationery and more.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Silk (paper finish)

Silk is a nice all-rounder, with a finish halfway between matt and gloss. It is a popular choice for documents that include text and images.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Gloss (paper finish)

Gloss is ideal for colour printing and is commonly used for magazines, brochures and flyers. It is a smooth, shiny and reflective finish.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

A guide to paper size

Paper size refers to the printed size of your document. A7, A6, A5, A4, A3, B5, Half Letter, Letter, Small Card (55 x 85 mm), and many more.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

A guide to paper weight (gsm)

Paper weight is in gsm. It refers to the weight of the paper. Typically, the higher the gsm, the thicker the paper.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Paper colour

This refers to the colour of your document being printed paper. White is the default paper colour. Also available in deep red, blue & more.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Artwork

Bleed - explained

The document contains background colours or artwork that goes to the page's edge. Bleed should be added so the content goes beyond the edge.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Crop marks / cut marks / trim marks

Crop marks, also known as cut marks and trim marks, are small lines placed in the corner of artwork to indicate the artwork's trim size.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Products

Greeting cards

Due to the nature of greeting cards printing, you must order 1 size up from your desired size. If you require an A5 finish size, order A4.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Paper over board binding

Ring binding is a flexible binding method, and paper overboard allows you to customise the cover of your binder. Please check the options.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Loose sheets

Loose sheet printing is our most simple product option. These are printed individually and without binding. Like you could print at home.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Stapled sheets (stapling)

Stapled sheets are our most simple bound product. Loose sheets are bound with a single staple in the top left corner.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Folded sheets

Folded sheets are loose sheets which are folded into multiple panels. We offer 4 folding options: Half fold, C fold, Z fold and Gate fold.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Encapsulated sheets

Encapsulated sheets are loose sheets which have been encased in plastic. This provides extra protection and durability.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Synthetic sheets

Synthetic sheets are waterproof and tearproof loose sheets. Artwork is printed onto a plastic sheet, making it a durable printed product.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Poster Printing

Posters are loose prints, available in A4 to A0 on high-quality 170gsm silk stock. They are printed loose and are displayed on walls.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Foam mounted poster / display board

A foam-mounted poster/display board is a poster which has been mounted on a rigid 5mm Foamex board. They are available in A4 or A3 sizes.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Wire binding

Wire binding is a popular binding method. It is also commonly known as wiro binding, spiral binding and coil binding.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Hardback wire binding

Hardbackwire bound documents are bound with a C-shaped wire spine. The front and back cover is printed on thick 2000-micron greyboard.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Comb binding

Comb-bound documents are held together with a plastic spine (standard size: 21 rings). Comb binding is a popular office binding method.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Velo binding

AKA strip binding, velo binding is a secure book binding method. A coloured plastic strip is placed on the front and back of the document.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Ring binding

Ring binding is a simple form of document binding. The pages are printed, hole punched and attached to 2 or 4 rings inside the binder.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Calendar printing

The hanging hole can be placed along the top of the calendar or the bottom of the calendar. The placement depends on the artwork set-up.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Booklet

Booklets are lightweight books, ideal for use as comic books, zines, final significant projects, brochures and more.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Paperback book

Paperback books are perfect bound (aka 'soft bound') with a flat spine. The pages are printed loose and glued to the spine area.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Hardback book

Hardback books (aka 'hard bound' books) are securely bound, and pages are printed loose and glued to the spine.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Lamination

Anti-bacterial lamination

Anti-bacterial lamination is available on loose sheet lamination, card covers and books. It eliminates 99% of bacteria and is ISO-approved.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Lamination process

Lamination refers to applying a thin plastic film to the paper. Lamination is usually one-sided and is often confused with 'encapsulation'.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Matt lamination

Matt lamination is ideal for document covers and posters. It helps to enhance colour and provide extra durability to documents and posters.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Gloss lamination

Gloss lamination is available for loose sheets, postcards, posters and document covers. It helps bring the colour to life and make it 'pop'.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Soft touch lamination

Soft touch lamination is a high-end finish, providing a velvety feel to your covers. Suitable for: front covers, back covers.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Binding Positions

Binding position

Binding position refers to the edge of the document which is bound together (for example, where the spine, wire, comb etc., is placed).

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Portrait binding

There are 2 binding options for portrait documents - short top edge and left long edge. Top short edge binding & Left long edge binding.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Landscape binding

There are 2 binding options for landscape documents - short top edge and left long edge. Top short edge binding & Left long edge binding.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Covers & Spine

Document covers

Covers can be added to all bound documents, as below: For wire/comb/velo binding: Outer front cover (acetate), Front cover

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Outer front cover

An outer front cover is available with wire binding, comb binding, coil binding and velo binding. Choose from clear or opaque acetate.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Outer back cover

An outer back cover is available with wire binding, comb binding, coil binding and velo binding. Choose from clear or opaque acetate.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Front cover

The front cover is the cover page of your document. It is either a printed book cover, a plain card or a printed card cover.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Back cover

The back cover is the last page of your document. It is either a printed book cover, a plain card or a printed card cover.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Spine - binding

The spine is the binding edge of your document. The spine is a printable area on the edge of your document for paperback and hardback.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Tabs

Tab dividers

The tab dividers can be placed between document chapters or sections and act as useful reference points when reading.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Standard tabs

Standard tabs are custom printed on plain white cards. The dividers can be placed between document sections and act as reference points.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Plastic reinforced tabs

Plastic-reinforced tabs are custom printed on cards. The dividers can be placed between document sections and act as reference points.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Product options

Square/Round Corners

Square or Round corners are available for Loose Sheet printing and Business Cards. The round corner option is available.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Hole punching

2-hole and 4-hole punching is available with our loose sheet printing service. Circular holes are punched into the binding edge.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago

Square back spine

A square back spine is available for booklets with 20+ pages and a card cover. The saddle-stitched spine is squared off and flattened.

Written by Lucy O'Donoghue
Updated over a week ago