Mimeo Lounge

Ask Charlie - Add a Professional Shine and Improve Document Durability

Posted on October 12, 2009 at 4:20pm, written by Jeff Grill, VP Marketing

“Ask Charlie” is a feature that showcases customer questions and the thinking of our resident print expert, Charlie Corr. If you have a question for Charlie, please send it to askcharlie@mimeo.com. Here, Charlie discusses the many options available to give documents a finished, professional look.

“A document isn’t done until it is finished.”
by Charlie Corr

There are many finishing options for printed sheets. Choices range from film lamination to various types of coatings. The choices are confusing. There are often multiple document requirements and overlapping finishing attributes. Cost and functionality differ as well as the environmental impact.

We finish all types of documents including prints, posters, brochures, book covers, presentation folders, calendars, maps, menus, sell sheets and guides. The most common requirement for finishing is to add functionality or to improve aesthetics. Functionality requirements include protection from weather and wear. We may want to prolong the life of an image, to add rigidity to a printed piece or provide tear resistance. Aesthetic requirements include protecting an image from wear, increasing the gloss level, or adding a design element.

If you have been using any particular finishing option you should consider alternatives. Matching your requirements with the best solution can save time and money. Matching your requirements with the best solution can save you time and money. Our print experts will gladly help you choose the best finishing option for your documents.

Finishing Check List

A checklist for deciding the right solution:

- Type of printing technology
- 1 or 2 sided
- Edge Seal (extends beyond cut printed piece)
- Rounded Corners (to avoid lethal weapon effect)
- Rigidity
- Increased Gloss
- Increased Durability
- Image life
- Bright lighting
- Readability
- Special graphic effects
- Cost
- Environmental concerns
- Run length (number of finished pieces required)
- Size
- Delivery requirement

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