Graphic Finishing and Print Embellishment

Graphic finishing is the process that adds "nobility" and has the mission of completing the print, transforming a simple printed piece into a masterpiece.

In graphic finishing, many resources are used, from applying varnish to special folds and cuts. The process requires total attention from the professional, as a failure can ruin the entire print batch.

If lamination is poorly applied to material that followed rigorous production standards, there is no way to reverse the situation other than by reprinting. That’s why experienced operators and high-quality finishing equipment are crucial.

You may have seen a restaurant menu with an entirely unconventional shape. Or an invitation that goes beyond the traditional "rectangle" and offers a luxurious, unique format. They are only possible due to cutting, folding, and lamination techniques.

Multi-fold brochures exist thanks to finishing machines, as well as many other printed materials, especially packaging, whether flexible plastic packaging or carton. Even label, fabric, and other printed material rewinders fit into the final stages of finishing.

The graphic finishing process is so essential that there are print companies specialized in this segment. Many print companies prefer to send the printed material to these specialized industries since graphic finishing machinery would require them to expand their print facilities.

There are various graphic finishing and print embellishment options; however, the most commonly used ones are:

Lamination:

Lamination applies a kind of plastic film to the paper. The film has various features, such as being glossy or matte, with different colors and textures. One of its basic functions is to protect the printed material from the external environment and increase its durability.

This is the case for books and leaflets in the editorial and promotional fields (to prevent them from getting deformed, torn, or damaged in other ways) and especially for packaging, which needs extra layers to prevent the packaged content (such as medicine or food) from being affected by external agents.

Lamination can also beautify the printed piece. When passing through the laminator, you apply a layer of varnish to give a special touch to the material, as in wedding invitations and graduation albums, with gold and other colors. Additional layers have also made their way into digital printing through inline application, creating fantastic effects (such as sweat on a mug or the texture of a jewel) in a simple way - this has come to be known as 2.5 D printing.

The varnish application in graphic finishing is also known as "coating." Varnishes can be applied over the entire surface of the material or selectively, known as spot varnish application.

There are high-gloss, textured, aromatic varnishes, and more. Graphic finishing with varnishes can be done on the offset printer, in screen printing machines, dedicated offset machines, etc.

Editorial Finishing

Editorial finishing completes a book or magazine and "binds" the pages. In the case of books, hot melt, a hot-glue system, is often used. In magazines, there's hot melt or stapling with machines that create the perfect staple. With increasingly beautiful and distinctive hardcover books, the finishing of the book is essential for the customer to enjoy their work.

For booklets, notebooks, agendas, and planners, spiral or wire-o binding is an option. The difference between spiral binding and wire-o binding is that spiral binding uses plastic, metal, or other materials to bind the entire print. In wire-o binding, a more sophisticated option, there are double loops inserted under pressure.

Die Cutting and Creasing

Die-cutting and creasing options create a new print, especially with the dies that can be used.

Graphic cutting creates unique prints at a reduced cost, as cutting machines can easily handle this type of work.

Depending on the material, the cutting is done by contour-cutting equipment (CNC), usually using laser-cutting technology to precisely cut any material in any shape.

Creasing and folding finishing is present in folders and leaflets. The idea is for the machine to mark the paper as a guide for folding, as folding without creasing will likely leave the print "crooked," causing damage. With it, you can create, for example, unique and creative printed menus.

Like other forms of print finishing, with intelligence and creativity, folding transforms a simple printed piece into a totally different and creative product, increasing its value without much effort.

Hot Stamping

Hot stamping involves applying metallic details on prints, such as gold and silver. However, colors are not limited to gold and silver, as many options are available. Besides metallic finishes, there are finishes simulating holograms, graphic patterns, and more.

Embossing

The embossing process uses a set of male-female dies under pressure to engrave an image on the paper. In thicker papers, like hardcover bookbinding cardboard, the same effect can be achieved with just one die.

Graphic Finishing

At ExpoPrint Latin America, visitors can discover all graphic finishing resources, presented by the best suppliers in the graphic industry. Discover:

Automatic Systems High-precision systems Laser cutting machines CNC machines Binders Guillotines Staplers Varnish applicators Folding machines Gluers Die-cutting machines Finishing for short-run and digital printing Stackers Rewinders

What is graphic finishing? Graphic finishing is the stage in the process where the already printed product is completed.