When it comes to printing we all know that there are different types of paper stock to choose from. The type of paper or card you use can either make or break your product, so it’s useful to have an understanding about paper stocks so you can make the right decision.

You may have heard LWC or MWC banded about. Quite simply, LWC is “light weight coated” and MWC is “medium weight coated” (MWC). And then you’ve got wood free (that’s pretty explanatory!) coated and uncoated paper. All of which are used in magazine printing, catalogue printing, newspaper supplements, inserts, brochure printing and direct mail etc.  

Let’s delve into this a bit more….

Not all paper is created equal. Different papers are created from different types of pulp (mechanical or chemical) and some have different coatings. Some will have different weights and a variety of finishes (gloss, silk, matt or uncoated).

But does it really matter?

In short, yes! Different characteristics will affect the paper’s grade. This in turn affects the choice of paper for the type of printing and product you are producing and ultimately, cost.

A quick guide to Paper – what you should use for Brochure & Magazine Printing

We’ve put together this short (but technical) guide to highlight the main characteristics of these printing papers as well as the types of printing and products they are typically used for.

LWC: Lightweight coated (LWC) paper is made from a pulp achieved through a mechanical pulping process. This process grinds up logs or woodchips rather than using chemicals to separate the wood fibres.

These lightweight papers are single coated and have a typical paper weight of between 36-70 gsm (standard brightness*). For higher gloss and whiteness, you’ll find up to 90 gsm stock. This leads to higher brightness and more vibrant colour printing.

LWC papers are typically used for heat-set web offset and rotogravure printing of magazines, brochures and catalogues. A hybrid grade known as LWC Hi-Brite provides higher brightness and opacity than MWC.

MPC: Medium weight coated (MWC) paper is also made from mechanical pulp but it is double coated. Consequently, this coating gives it a more consistent smooth surface, ideal for heat-set web offset printing. It has gloss, silk or matt finishing options and tends to be over 80gsm in weight. MPC lends itself to higher quality products such as news-stand magazines or high end direct mail catalogues.  

*paper brightness is rated on a scale of 1 to 100. Paper with a rating of 80 reflects more light and consequently appears brighter than a paper rated in the 70s.

High end paper for Brochure Printing

Wood-Free: Finally, we get to ‘wood free’ paper. This is a finer paper, made from chemical pulp as opposed to LWC and MWC which uses mechanical pulp. Chemical pulp uses a sulphate process to cook wood fibres to remove the lignin from the wood; lignin is wood’s natural binding agent.

Wood free paper tends not to go yellow over time. It’s also bright, lasts longer and stores better than mechanical pulp paper. Wood-free paper can be matt, silk or gloss finished and have up to 3 coatings. Due to its fineness, this type of paper tend to be used for high quality covers for magazines, brochures or catalogues.

Uncoated wood free fine papers have a wide range of uses, for example advertising materials, books, maps and office paper. Weight ranges from 60gsm lightweight through to cardboard grade weights. 

Cliffe Enterprise holds the FSC Chain of Custody Certification. For more information about the importance of ensuring your paper stock is FSC accredited please visit https://fsc.org/en

For the right advice about the best paper to use for your next print project, please get in touch with us. You can email simon@cliffe-enterprise.com or call 01323 419701.

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Mail Fulfilment Services

If you have a product that needs mailing then mail fulfilment is another element of print services which needs your careful consideration. Your options are influenced, and also limited, by many variables, for example:-

• the type of product to mail out
• the volume being mailed out
• whether it is just domestic or includes international mailing
• your timescales
• your budget
• what your product weighs

Mail Fulfilment Options

Firstly, it’s important to consider the unwrapped weight of your product. This may effect how you choose to mail it. If your product is close to a mailing weight or size boundary then the type of wrapping you use will affect the overall weight. This, in turn, may affect the overall mailing cost.

There are four main fulfilment options:

• poly-wrapping
• bio-wrapping – using potato starch
• naked mailings (no outer to protect the mailed item)
• envelope stuffing
• paper-wrapping

Getting wrapped

Poly-wrapping

Poly-wrapping is a polythene wrap which can be used for a variety of your different sized mailings. Even non-standard sized or shaped items can be poly-wrapped. Most poly-wrapping can accommodate A6 brochures to large tabloid newspaper sized mailings with machinable inserts.

Poly-wrap is a plastic and is therefore both waterproof and highly durable (compared to a paper-wrap for example), and as the the contents are easily visible it is s a great option for marketing impact. It is light weight, from around 2gm for an A4 poly-wrap, compared to 10gm for an envelope. This lighter option can therefore reduce your mailing costs.

Poly-wrap can easily be printed on. So, for example, you can print addresses, marketing text, logos and mailing barcodes and reducing the need for address inserts and an extra production process (and cost!).

Poly-wrapping is fast. Some machines can wrap around 12,000 items per hour. This makes it ideal for large direct marketing fulfilment projects, as well as smaller bespoke projects.

Bio & Paper-Wrapping

With a drive towards sustainable practices within print, both bio-wrap and paper-wrap are becoming an increasingly more popular choice.

Bio-wrap is made of potato starch is biodegrable and can be even be composted at home. Its durable and can be printed on, however due to is slightly ‘milky’ appearance, there have been issues with Royal Mail scanning the mail marks.

Paper wrap is is 100% recyclable and more durable than poly and bio-wrap. There are multiple printed options possible and as any logos, sales message and images can be printed directly onto the outside of the mailing, the marketing impact is fantastic!

Stuff it

Envelope enclosing is often chosen when the content is sensitive and requires confidentiality. As a paper option, mailing addresses can be printed along with logos and other information. A range of fonts and colours can be used, in line with any branding.

Envelope insertion can be either be done by hand or machine. Depending on the machine configuration up to 20 additional inserts can be included.

Recycled envelopes are widely available and used envelopes can be recycled with paper recycling. Envelopes are heavier than poly-wrapping, but some Royal Mail mailing discounts can be higher on envelopes than poly-wrap.

A downside to using envelopes is that they may not offer the same durability as poly-wrap. They can get crushed or torn in the mailing process, especially if they get damp which can affect the quality of the contents.

Considering mail fulfilment before you print can influence the choice of printers and mailing house, because in some cases it can all be done in-house. Most of the significant catalogue, magazine and brochure printers offer some form of mail fulfilment, but their expertise is limited to their in-house abilities and their knowledge on postage solutions may not be as comprehensive as it could be.

What next?

This guide is a ‘rule of thumb’ so please contact us to discuss the mail fulfilment services you are looking for so we can advise you on what options will provide the quality and pricing required.

Contact us now for a no obligation quotation, either by call 01323 419701 or email simon@cliffe-enterprise.com.

Feel free to look at our other blog posts on Brochure Printing, Fulfilment, Direct Mailing, Paper, Printing and News. 

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CMYK vs PMS vs RGB

Pretty much all magazines, catalogues and brochures are produced using the CMYK process.

So what is this?

Quite simply, CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (aka black). These are the four-primary printing colours and commonly seen in home inkjet printers.

In commercial printing, these 4 colours are mixed together in different quantities to print a vast array of various colours. CMYK printing requires four colour plates, one for each colour and is known as four colour process (4CP).  However, some printing presses have 5 or 6 colour processes, which means that additional metallic spot colour or a vanish can be added alongside the CMYK.

You may also see CMYK being referred to as the subtractive method of colour printing.  As each of the 4 colours are layered down to cover the white paper, the less light reflects through; hence subtraction of the white.

CYMK is a cost effective option for printing. Only four ink colours are required and mixed specifically to each project’s colour requirements.

This 4-colour process also lends itself to small and large print projects as well as managing multiple print projects on one printing press. There can be issues with replicating the exact colour hue again. This is because colours are not standardised across all printing presses which means colours can vary slightly.

PMS: Pantone Matching System

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System and is a standardised spot colour categorisation system. Pantone colours are pre-mixed, so a specified Pantone colour code is always the same regardless of where and how it is printed.

Pantone lends itself to projects where colour consistency and accuracy is important; for example with branding and catalogue printing. As pantone colours are pre-mixed, the range of colours needed is specific to each print project. In turn this can make it a more costlier option.

So using a Pantone becomes more cost effective for large print projects where colour accuracy and consistency is important.

RGB

RGB is very simply red, green and blue which is used on computer screens but not used in printing. Although RGB can be converted to CMYK, it cannot convert to Pantone. And due to the difference in the way colours are constructed in RGB and CMYK, any conversion is likely to result in colour changes. For thie reason never create print ready artwork using RGB images.

OK, so which should you use?

In summary, CMYK is good for any size of print projects and when accurate colour matching isn’t a priority.  Pantone colours are best for larger print projects when colour consistency is critical. Never use RGB!

We’ve put this guide together as a ‘rule of thumb’, but it’s always best to have a chat with us! So call us on 01323 419701 to discuss your project requirements or email simon@cliffe-enterprise.com and we can advise you on what options will provide the quality and pricing you require.

Feel free to look at our other blog posts on Brochure Printing, Fulfilment, Direct Mailing, Paper, Printing and News. 

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Cover finishes – laminates, UV varnishes for magazine, brochure and catalogue printing

Cover finishes – Laminates, UV varnishes and more explained

Cover finishes such as laminates and varnishes can add an element of quality, durability and creative individuality to your magazine, catalogue or brochure printing. Finishes can be done in-line as part of the printing process, particularly when using digital and web printing presses, or they can be finished off-line as a separate process. The following explains what laminate and UV varnish finishes are, as well as outlining some other decorative finishes that are available.

Laminates

Laminates are a thin layer of plastic which is applied to the whole of the outer cover of your magazine print product. These can be matt, silk or gloss in finish. Laminates add durability and some protection against spills and marks whilst preserving artwork. However, lamination cannot be spot applied and matt lamination over dark colours can show up finger marks.

Polypropylene lamination is one of the most common and cost-effective laminates offering protection and strength and is available in gloss, silk and matt finishes. Polyester Lamination is more durable than polypropylene and offers a hard coating which offers heat protection and does not become brittle with age. Speciality laminates include metallic finishes such as gold and silver as well as holographic and iridescent films.

UV Varnishes

Ultra violet (UV) vanishes are typically applied in-line and exposed to ultra violet light to harden it. It can be applied to part of a page (spot varnished) to enhance or reduce specific areas such as logos or images and come in a variety of finishes. When gloss UV vanishes are applied to dark, rich blues and black colours it can result in an almost wet look. A gloss finish will reflect the light whilst matt gives a smooth finish which doesn’t reflect the light and a silk finish is somewhere in the middle. UV spot varnishes can also be applied to specific areas and over laminates to create different visual effects. Textured varnish gives a slightly rippled effect and can be used as a spot varnish to enhance specific areas or as an overall finish. Neutral varnishes which are not visible can be added online as part of the printing process or offline, after printing to seal ink and artwork.

More creative varnishes are also available including metallic or glitter, tinted colour vanishes and latex scratch off panels.

More finishing options

There are a range of other finishes available which include embossing where an image is raised from the paper or card and debossing where the image is indented and tends to be used on thicker paper or card. Foil stamping is available in a range of colours and can enhance the look of your product and can be applied to more materials than ink. Foiling can also be used to enhance embossing and debossing to create visual and tactile finishes. Edge staining, where the edges of a book for example are stained in gold leaf.

This guide is a ‘rule of thumb’ so please contact us on 01323 419701 to discuss your project requirements so we can advise you on what options will provide the quality and pricing you require, or email simon@cliffe-enterprise.com

Feel free to look at our other blog posts on Brochure Printing, Fulfilment, Direct Mailing, Paper, Printing and News. 

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Our definitive guide to commercial printing presses

Let’s start with a quick overview of types of printing presses that are used by commercial printers for the majority of print today. You’ve got Digital, Sheet-Fed and Web-Offset. We’ll look at each one individually to give you a more comprehensive idea of what and how they produce.

Digital Printing Press

Digital printing is a fast and cost-effective way of printing items but at great quality. Its ideal for your smaller print runs and for items with variation, like peronalisation in what is being printed. Items such as advertising mailers with individual names and addresses are projects suited to digital printing.

The way digital printing works is through the use of toners, injet heads of lasers. Toners are fused onto the paper, inkjet heads use droplets of ink dotted onto the paper and lasers use an electrostatic plate. Advances in digital printing technology means that quality is improving all the time and is comparable to sheet-fed and web offset results.

Digital printing is fantastic for quick turnaround items, as it can take as little as 24hrs. There is no need for lengthy set up of plates as digital technology is used instead.

Sheet fed printing Press

Sheet fed printing is good for heavier paper and will allow for additional spot colours and varnishes to be applied (e.g. pantone or gold detailing) which makes it perfect for printing covers. Despite its name, sheet fed can use paper reels (cut-star) and sheets and lends itself to volume printing such as leaflets and brochures using paper weights over 115gsm. In comparison, there is typically less waste generated than there would be if using the web offset printing process. Because the ink is not heatset on the paper, the ink oxidises to bind into the paper to give a more matt finish than in heatset web offset. Also, because in sheet fed printing each part of the process is independent, printer issues don’t hamper cutting or binding which can be the case for web offset printing.  

Web offset – Heatset or Coldset

Web offset printing is a fast and economical print process for high volume or high pagination print products. Typically magazines, direct mail catalogues and holiday brochures are printed using this process and tend to use a lighter weight (sub 70gsm) paper stock. Its a great process for larger print runs or higher paginations because both printing and folding happens in-line. Web offset presses can be configured to produce press finished (trimmed and bound) magazines or catalogues.

Heatset web offset uses an oven to dry the ink on the paper as it is printed, which creates a glossy finish because the ink isn’t absorbed into the paper.  The heat can cause the paper to flute or ripple slightly and web growth can occur after the paper has been cut to size.  Web growth happens over a period of time, occurring as moisture is reabsorbed by the heatset printed paper . This can lead to the paper expanding slightly in comparison to a sheetfed printed cover.  

In coldset web offset the ink is fixed as it is absorbed into the uncoated newsprint paper.  Coldset web offset is typically for newspapers. 

This guide is a ‘rule of thumb’ so please contact us on 01323 419701 to discuss your project or email simon@cliffe-enterprise.com

Whether you are looking for catalogue printing, brochure printing or a professional magazine printer we can advise you on which options will provide the quality and pricing you require.   

Feel free to look at our other blog posts on Brochure Printing, Fulfilment, Direct Mailing, Paper and Printing 

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Brochures are a great cost-effective marketing tool for promoting your business, brand and products. However, a poorly designed brochure can hamper your marketing efforts and hinder your sales and marketing objectives. If your printed brochure is not delivering the desired results and is not appealing to your audience then there is a real chance are your prospective clients are spending with your competitors.

Dull design, ill-thought layout, tired copy and uninspiring print style can all add up to a brochure design which simply does not achieve its purpose.

By asking yourself the following questions you may determine why your printed brochure design may not be meeting expectations:

Target Audience:
Does your marketing strategy focus on the target audience? Whilst this may seem a strange question, sometimes it is easier to design your marketing material to suit you and not your audience! When designing your printed brochure, it is imperative that you think about their tastes and preferences, otherwise, quite simply, your brochure will not get a positive response from them. Research your target audience thoroughly and design it for them not for you!
Benefits:
Does your brochure highlight the key benefits of your products and services to your audience or is there a lot of ‘waffle’ about your company. Although the customer will want to know a little about your company’s background and history, ultimately you need to focus on how your products and services will help them and solve their problems! Just tell them why they cannot live without you!
Tone and Content:
Is your brochure simply too long for the target customers to read? How does it read – are you using an engaging, conversational tone? Is the wording easy to understand and relevant to the audience reading it? Ask a colleague to read it through or even ask somebody outside of your company who can sense check the copy.
Design:
Is the size and design of your printed brochure appealing? Does it stand out from competitor brochure design? Is it A4 sized like all the others – would a different sized printed brochure appeal and stand out more? What colours are you using? Do they represent your company’s branding? Can you add a print finish to differentiate it from your competitors?
Call to Action:
How prominent is your call to action? Is it easy for the customer to find within your printed brochure? Is it clear and concise? Don’t just have one call to action, include each and every way a client can reach you. It is also important to strategically think about where to place a call to action on your brochure. Don’t hide it away, and think about including it in several places throughout your brochure.

To summarise: identify and research the right target audience and design your printed brochure keeping this audience in mind. A short, engaging brochure with attractive, eye-catching headlines will be an instant hit with the audience, and remember, on average you have just 7 seconds to impress a prospective customer. So use your ingenuity and creativity to grab and retain attention!

Cliffe Enterprise has over 20 years’ experience in quality brochure design and brochure printing services and we would be happy to discuss your requirements and offer advice on how to produce the right brochure for your target audience. Call us now on 0845 601 9478 or email simon@cliffe-enterprise.com.

The post What makes a Printed Brochure effective? appeared first on Magazine Print, Catalogue and Brochure Printers.

Your brochure is a key marketing tool for you to spread the word about your brand and products and to reach out to a wider audience. A well-designed brochure has the potential to attract buyers’ attention and convert them into loyal customers while having a greater recall rate among the audience. We have provided some top brochure printing tips to create impressive brochures:

1. Be innovative

Your brochure should be able to instantly convey your key message to your audience. Be creative and use your imagination to design a brochure that attracts attention and stands out from the competition. Whilst trying to make a statement with your brochure printing project, do not use too many differing fonts in its design. Keep it clear and allow images and key text to breathe. All you need is a heading, subheading and body font to deliver the right message.

2. Put readers first

When working on your brochure printing project, keep in mind its end purpose. After all, it’s for the audience that you are designing the brochure and when they go through it, they should instantly be able to find solutions to their requirements or answers to any queries they may have. So, whilst putting the brochure design together, think of what message it will ultimately convey to a prospective customer.

3. Focus on making a good first impression

The purpose behind your brochure is to make a lasting impression. Your brochure design should convey a positive notion whilst leaving the audience with the message you wanted to deliver. A creative design will be more memorable than a bland one and this can be created without tying your budget up in costly design. If you are a charity, for example, your purpose is to deliver the right message yet not leaving the audience with the feeling that you have spent too much on brochure design. This can be achieved by using different printing methods which can complement your design and enhance your company’s branding.

4. Original Photography

Your brochure design and printing project should create interest among your target market and be enjoyable and informative to read. In order to do so, your brochure design focus should be on incorporating appealing images and info-graphics that instantly impress and deliver the right message. Try to select pictures that are eye-catching rather than the usual stock images.

5. Insert call to action

Let the audience know what action they should take after reading the brochure. Don’t let your hard work in designing an impressive and engaging brochure go to waste – inform the audience what they need to do next. Do this by inserting a distinct call to action to ensure a positive response from prospective customers and maximize your ROI.

Looking for a professional brochure printing company?

Look no further than Cliffe Enterprise print management for professional affordable brochure printing and design and solutions. Contact us now for a no obligation quotation.

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