The best print shop will offer a wide array of services to its customer base. Not only will the staff have supreme technical knowledge regarding various methods, but they’ll have hands-on experience in the field. So, if you’re in need of the best print shop, make sure they offer the following key services, otherwise they shouldn’t get your business.

 

Digital

A digital print shop should be able to offer supreme digital options for its customers. Your provider should be able to do this without sacrificing quality, even if you ask for high-volume turnarounds. Long gone are the days of manual technologies, such as letterpress and foiling. These techniques, while offering great quality, are often limited by how much can be reproduced off the analogue master. Digital processes allow for a much quicker engagement and utilization of resources, leading to cost saving advantages along the way.

 

Laser cutting

Laser cutting is one of the most crucial services any notable print shop needs to offer. Laser cutting is very broad term, which generally refers to the process of cutting or melting materials via the use of lasers. Laser cutters can be applied to a wide range of materials, including wood, acrylic and various types of metals. It’s a very versatile method of producing some of the most polished and intricate designs on various surfaces.

Indeed, laser cutting works particularly well if you need to offer more personalised cutting services to your clients and customers. All of this is controlled via a computer software, so human error is minimised greatly. Many of the machines are also equipped with CE certification, ensuring outstanding environmental, safety and energy efficiency standards.

 

Large format

The best print shop for you will offer large format options. Large format, also known as wide format, describes any form of large-scale printing on short run digital files. This includes things like banners, outdoor advertisements, murals, wallpapers and even floor graphics. It also includes outdoor promotional materials like billboards, life size cut outs, exhibition stands, safety posters and CAD drawings.

 

Binding

Binding is a very effective and creative method of holding a group of pages together. There are many ways that you can bind pages, including gluing, sewing or stapling. However, the method of binding you choose will be dependent on a few factors. Firstly, you’ll need to consider your budget and how much you are willing to spend. A smaller budget means you can generally only afford pad binding or wiro binding. A slightly larger budget opens you up to inter-screw or saddle sewn alternatives. If you have no budget or are willing to splurge, you can’t go past case binding or lay flat options.

Secondly, you’ll want to consider how many books you need your local print shop to bind. If it’s a low number, then a method that requires more manual labour is a worthy option. Alternatively, if you’re ordering a large delivery, you’ll probably have to go for a cheaper, low-cost option. Finally, the thickness of the book is also important. Thicker books require stronger bonding, like inter-screw, while saddle stitching is generally enough for smaller sized books.

 

Embellishments and finishes

Finally, the best print shop in your local area will be well-equipped in handling embellishments. Embellishments are basically the decorative details or finishing touches on any materials. Typical embellishments include embossing, cello-glazing and foiling. The purpose of these additions is to make your materials stand out. Hence, it’s very useful if you’re trying to improve the visual aesthetic of your promotional materials. Embossing a brand logo or slogan is viewed as being high quality, so this can give your brand a more established and professional feel from the customer’s perspective.