You can produce basic paper-based prints at home with a digital printer, but some services call for an experienced technician and specific machines. If you want a large-format wall decal or custom binding for your book, a professional will guide you through what’s needed. Here are four printing services you can’t do at home:
1. Offset Prints
If you have several books, brochures, and magazines to produce, look for offset prints. This printing technique involves large complex equipment that helps with large-volume runs. The process involves transferring images and texts to metal plates, rolling the plates onto rubber, and the rubber onto large sheets. Setting up offset printers takes longer than digital printers but offers faster production due to the large sheet rollers and cutters. You can also print on various substrates, including heavier and thicker card and paper stocks, wood, and laminate boards. People use offset printers to print labels, magazines, brochures, booklets, posters, and banners. You can also use them for business cards, finance and legal documents, letterheads, catalogs, graphic designs, menus, and signs. Any production involving high-volume prints is more suited to professional print shops.
2. Large-format Prints
Large-format or wide-format prints are oversized prints like posters, banners, murals, and architectural blueprints. These prints require the largest printers, which have high-resolution typography. Everyday digital printers and commercial flatbed printers are usually tailored to letter-sized and legal-sized substrates. To produce large-format prints at home, you need expensive printers, along with enough space and power. If you have large projects for exhibition displays, wall decals, and advertising posters, work with a commercial print shop. The printers also produce folding and free-standing prints. You can use various substrates, such as matte and glossy paper, cardboard, and laminated stocks. Experienced technicians will also help you integrate metal, fabric, and canvas into your project.
3. Custom Book Binding
Another service to leave to professionals is custom bookbinding and finishing. These services involve printing individual documents, assembling the pages, and joining them to produce a compiled collection that sticks together. To finish this project, you need lamination, custom covers and finishes, and advanced binding techniques like coil binding, perfect binding, and
hardcover binding. These techniques involve specialized equipment and require experienced technicians. Custom binding services can also include sophisticated approaches like saddle stitching and branding. Experienced print shops know how to achieve your vision for the project and can produce durable compilations. These services also require knowledgeable professionals who can identify the suitable materials and techniques for your project.
4. Premium Specialty Finishes
If you want services like hot stamp foil printing, stamping, and embossing, hire a print shop. These services add texture, colorful metallics, shine, and a premium feel to your prints. Hot foil stamping involves directing pre-dried ink and foils onto the substrate using heat and pressure. Some processes use custom dies that feature the text and design. The technician places the ink and foil into the mold, which is used to add the design to the substrate. Premium specialty finishes can be used on various substrates, including vinyl, leather, and ceramics. You need special materials, equipment, and precision to achieve the desired print outcome. Such setups require a big investment and are not ideal for home settings. Working with a professional gives you clean, consistent, and durable products without the expense of purchasing all of the equipment yourself.
Find Printing Services YouCan Trust
Today Many high-quality prints and runs require specialty equipment and advanced techniques to produce. Setting up the equipment is also expensive and involves elaborate setups. Contact a print shop today to find out more about printing services you may not be able to complete at home.