What to think about before starting your next printing project?

Before going to print there is a lot to think about and sometimes the number of options can be overwhelming.

From choosing finishes to paper thickness and edging, getting the perfect result is all about knowing what you are looking for from your project.

Here we tackle some of the most frequently asked questions businesses have before going to print. From finishes to special effects and colour match here is your step-to-step guide to all the information you need before starting your next printing project.

1.      Getting the right finish

There are lots of different ways to fix together your printed materials, such as stitching, stapling, gluing or binding, and at LG Davis we have the capacity and capability to offer all types of finish. Ultimately it comes down to what will be best for your individual product, and we always work with customers to ensure they have the best finish to meet their requirements. 

2.      Choosing the right colour

Spot colour is an individual colour, such as a Pantone. If you want to ensure the colour prints in the same way every time then you can choose a Pantone and that individual colour will be printed. The full colour process uses four colours known as CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and key – which is actually black). These four colours are mixed together to create the full spectrum of colour. But because mixing is involved, it’s harder to get exactly the same colour match every time. It’s not as accurate as spot colour printing.

3.      ​Special effect options for print projects

When it comes to printing, we offer a full range of special effect printing. From gloss lamination and UV varnish to metallic printing or embossing there are lots of different effects you can add to your project to add a touch of colour or make it stand out. You can either discuss an exact requirement with us, or we can explore different options with you and advise what might be best.

4.      ​Paper thickness

The thickness of paper completely depends on what you want to achieve. Letterheads tend to be 80-120gsm, business cards are often 350-400gsm, and brochures will most likely have a heavier cover and lighter paper inside. Getting the right paper thickness is all to do with the style and look you need for your project. Not all projects will have the same requirements so we can work with you to decide what is best and we can even send out samples to you so you can know exactly what the paper will be like before you make that final decision.

5.     Time to completion

When it comes to printing, we always suggest the more notice you provide the better as that means you can schedule your project in plenty of time. However, we understand this isn’t always possible. Complex jobs or large print runs will always take a bit longer, but if you need something turned around quickly, please come and have a chat with us. We have a vast range of in-house capabilities, so will always work with you to accommodate your requirements however tight the deadline if we can.

6.      Colour check before completion

The colours on final printed products don’t usually match what you see on screen. This is because of the difference between radiated and reflected light. However, we always provide a colour proof of your artwork so you can see what the colour will actually look like, and this also allows you to make any tweaks before we print everything. 

Still unsure what you are looking for or need a bit more help?

Why not visit our FAQs page which covers everything you need to know before starting your next project. With over 60 years in the industry  at LG Davis we are always here to help, and no question goes unanswered. Our friendly team is more than happy to talk you through the different options to make sure that you get the very best result. We can even send you sample products and do the design for you to make sure that you get exactly what you are looking for.