Offset
Offset lithography, also known as “offset printing”, is a popular printing technique used to produce a wide range of printed materials, such as newspapers, magazines, books, packaging, and brochures. The reason it is called “offset” is because first transferred (or "offset") from a metal plate to a rubber blanket, and then onto paper. This extra step helps create cleaner, sharper images and protects the plates from wearing out quickly. It’s a the top choice for large quantity printing tasks and high expectation on the consistency and quality of image and color.
Digital Printing
Digital Printing is a technique that directly prints the contents on the printing materials, such as paper. This kind of printing method saved the step of plate use, which uses methods like laser technology and ink injection to directly print the contents onto the paper or other materials. It is a simple and fast way to print items.
Gravure
Gravure printing is a high speed and high quality printing process that uses a metal that sculptures with contents or images and then directly presses the contents onto the substrate. It usually use to print things like labels, wall papers and magazines. The Gravure is known for its great reliability, consistency and detail handling, which it can well process fine gradients and rich solid. This kind of printing method is the top choice for tasks that require high precision and volume.
Letterpress
Letterpress is one of the oldest printing techniques and the contents printed by it are touchable because of its means of printing. It inks the raised letters or images and manually presses it onto the paper to therefore leave an impression. This kind of printing technique has already been replaced by more modern and efficient printing methods like offset or digital printing in commercial printing. However, due to its unique texture that can both be seen and felt, this kind of techniques still applied for special purposes, such as fine invitations for special events and limited-edition printings.
UV Coating
UV coating is a liquid coating that is applied on the printing materials and cured with UV light, it is use to add a shiny or matte layer on the business cards or brochures to make them look better and last longer. There's two types of UV, Spot UV and Raised UV. Spot UV can adds a glossy finish to specific areas, Raised UV does the same but with a textured, raised surface.
Embossing/Debossing
Embossing vs. Debossing
Embossing is a printing technique that uses a metal die to press certain parts of the paper, such as text, logos, or images, so they raise above the surface. This creates a stylish look and a tactile feel. It is commonly used on business cards, book covers, and event invitations to add a sense of elegance and quality.
Debossing is the opposite of embossing. Instead of raising the design, it presses the image or text into the surface to create a recessed effect. Debossing gives a subtle, sophisticated look and is often used on premium packaging, notebooks, or leather products. It can be used with or without ink or foil.
Perfect Binding
Perfect Binding is a book binding approach, which glues the pages and covers together at the book spine with strong and flexible thermal glue, and then trims the three other sides to make the book have a clean and perfect edge. This kind of binding technique is often used for catalogs, workbooks, and provides a professional appearance for books with 40+ pages.
There are two kinds of perfect binding: one is standard perfect binding, and the other is sewn perfect binding. Sewn perfect binding means the pages are stitched together with thread before the glue is applied. Perfect binding simply uses glue without stitching. Perfect binding is faster, cheaper, and common in softcover books, while sewn perfect binding is stronger and more durable—often used for higher-quality books.
Saddle Stitching
Saddle stitching is a simple bookbinding technique that staples the folded sheets together along the fold line (book spine), and then using metal wire to staple it. It is a very quick and cost effective binding approach and usually applies for products like bookelts, brochures and newsletters.
Case Binding
Case binding, also known as hardcover binding, is a bookbinding method that glues or stitches the pages together and then attaches it to a rigid protective cover that is made of cardboard or leather. This kind of binding method often applies to hardcover books, textbooks and art books. It is very durable and with a strong spine.