Printing and Finishing Blog Archives
Browse the archive of blog entries on printing and finishing. The entries are alphabetical, not chronological in this listing. These entries date from 2003 to present. Not all links within entries will still be current.
2-Color Job: Registration, Plates, and Trapping
Marria, Broacher, and Bill discuss how many plates and what kind to use and issues of registration when doing a 2 spot color project. Pick ...
Marria, Broacher, and Bill discuss how many plates and what kind to use and issues of registration when doing a 2 spot color project. Pick ...
Affordable Color Laser
It wasn't long ago when the thought of a color laser printer was pure fantasy for most individual designers. But the prices keep coming down....
It wasn't long ago when the thought of a color laser printer was pure fantasy for most individual designers. But the prices keep coming down....
Black Paper
In the forum sanderpander writes, "I've just designed a business card that's supposed to be printed on black paper. I figure I'd get better results ...
In the forum sanderpander writes, "I've just designed a business card that's supposed to be printed on black paper. I figure I'd get better results ...
Camera Phone Printing
If you have a camera phone, do you share camera phone photos with friends and family? Probably so. Do you print camera phone photos and ...
If you have a camera phone, do you share camera phone photos with friends and family? Probably so. Do you print camera phone photos and ...
CDs from the Desktop
A few days ago I was talking about commercial printing methods for CDs. But some individuals and small businesses we need easy printing on CDs ...
A few days ago I was talking about commercial printing methods for CDs. But some individuals and small businesses we need easy printing on CDs ...
Cheap Printing
Computer Peripherals Guide Rick Russell says a bargain inkjet printer "should provide brisk, convenient printing at a low price." How about under $100 initial cost ...
Computer Peripherals Guide Rick Russell says a bargain inkjet printer "should provide brisk, convenient printing at a low price." How about under $100 initial cost ...
Color Laser, Yay or Nay?
A Slashdot inquiry about alternatives to cheap inkjets brings a slew of responses on the merits and pitfalls of color laser printers in general and ...
A Slashdot inquiry about alternatives to cheap inkjets brings a slew of responses on the merits and pitfalls of color laser printers in general and ...
Commercial Printing and Publisher
Stephanie needs to send a Publisher file to a commercial printer. "Does anyone have any tips for me?" she asks. Share your tips on getting...
Stephanie needs to send a Publisher file to a commercial printer. "Does anyone have any tips for me?" she asks. Share your tips on getting...
Creating and Printing Black and White Artwork
Most of the photographs we work with in desktop publishing start out in color - color scans, digital camera shots. But sometimes we need to ...
Most of the photographs we work with in desktop publishing start out in color - color scans, digital camera shots. But sometimes we need to ...
Design Once, Print in Many Ways
When creating a brochure personalized for various branch offices or doing a magazine in multiple languages, do you start each project from scratch? Probably not....
When creating a brochure personalized for various branch offices or doing a magazine in multiple languages, do you start each project from scratch? Probably not....
Design: Binding Artwork
About Art/Technology Guide Sharon Silvia asks, "Did you know that approximately 1.7 billion traditional ringed binders are made each year in the United States?" ...
About Art/Technology Guide Sharon Silvia asks, "Did you know that approximately 1.7 billion traditional ringed binders are made each year in the United States?" ...
Desktop Printing with QuarkXPress
Before you send your QuarkXPress document to press you usually want to print a proof from your desktop printer to see how it will look. ...
Before you send your QuarkXPress document to press you usually want to print a proof from your desktop printer to see how it will look. ...
Digital Gutenberg
The first book ever printed with movable type (as in printing press, not the Movable Type software that powers so many Weblogs!) is now available ...
The first book ever printed with movable type (as in printing press, not the Movable Type software that powers so many Weblogs!) is now available ...
Epson Boycott & More on Costly Inkjet Cartridges
Found an interesting follow-up to my recent note on The High Cost of Inkjet Printing. Seems that Dutch Consumer Association Consumentenbond is advocating a boycott ...
Found an interesting follow-up to my recent note on The High Cost of Inkjet Printing. Seems that Dutch Consumer Association Consumentenbond is advocating a boycott ...
From Web to Print
On the forum Diana asks "Does ANYONE know of a quick and easy way to convert a piece of art that was grabbed off of ...
On the forum Diana asks "Does ANYONE know of a quick and easy way to convert a piece of art that was grabbed off of ...
Getting It Printed
While printing may be one of the last steps in the desktop publishing process, deciding how something will be printed should come much earlier in ...
While printing may be one of the last steps in the desktop publishing process, deciding how something will be printed should come much earlier in ...
Getting the Ink on the Paper
If you've only ever printed to a desktop printer you might not realize just how different commercial printing methods are and how the printing method ...
If you've only ever printed to a desktop printer you might not realize just how different commercial printing methods are and how the printing method ...
Giclee Printing
Recently I noticed a billboard for a local sign and graphics company listed Giclee printing as one of its many services. It occurred to me ...
Recently I noticed a billboard for a local sign and graphics company listed Giclee printing as one of its many services. It occurred to me ...
Graffitti Goes High Tech - World's Largest Printer
Earlier I mentioned the World's Smallest Printer. At the other extreme, a couple of Swiss researchers have a new over-sized but portable printer that uses ...
Earlier I mentioned the World's Smallest Printer. At the other extreme, a couple of Swiss researchers have a new over-sized but portable printer that uses ...
How a Designer Prepares Files for Printing
My spell checker often gives amusing results when it encounters some of the terms used in desktop publishing. It goes nuts over QuarkXPress, CMYK, and...
My spell checker often gives amusing results when it encounters some of the terms used in desktop publishing. It goes nuts over QuarkXPress, CMYK, and...
How Do You Charge for Printing?
"I'd like to know how many of you do your own printing for your DTP? or do you send it out to be printed? How ...
"I'd like to know how many of you do your own printing for your DTP? or do you send it out to be printed? How ...
How Many Plates for Popcorn?
Bing42 tells us, "A client that I have wants to have boxes for microwave popcorn designed. They have 8 flavors, and the printer/manufacturer requires a...
Bing42 tells us, "A client that I have wants to have boxes for microwave popcorn designed. They have 8 flavors, and the printer/manufacturer requires a...
I Just Want to Print Something
A question in the forum about choosing a printer prompted this response:"I just bought a new color inkjet printer, and the experience was surprisingly difficult...
A question in the forum about choosing a printer prompted this response:"I just bought a new color inkjet printer, and the experience was surprisingly difficult...
Impose it Yourself? Ask Your Printer First
"Please, please, PLEASE don't send me any files already imposed," implores Scott who works prepress at a commercial printer. As with any commercially printed project,...
"Please, please, PLEASE don't send me any files already imposed," implores Scott who works prepress at a commercial printer. As with any commercially printed project,...
In the News: Disappearing Ink
Here's an interesting bit of technology being tested in Japan - a special ink that can be removed from the page so that a sheet ...
Here's an interesting bit of technology being tested in Japan - a special ink that can be removed from the page so that a sheet ...
In-House Book Printing Recommendations
In the forum Missannthrop posts "I'm using an HP 6122, purchased especially for this project. I like it because the 'book' comes out double-sided and ...
In the forum Missannthrop posts "I'm using an HP 6122, purchased especially for this project. I like it because the 'book' comes out double-sided and ...
It's Bound to Happen
You've designed the perfect publication. You love it. The customer loves it. But when it comes time to print and finish you realize you've forgotten ...
You've designed the perfect publication. You love it. The customer loves it. But when it comes time to print and finish you realize you've forgotten ...
Large, Really Large Format Printing
Sometimes we tend to take the small view of desktop publishing - if we can't print it from our desktop printer it's not something that ...
Sometimes we tend to take the small view of desktop publishing - if we can't print it from our desktop printer it's not something that ...
Low Tech Scoring
When you need to make a neat fold in heavy paper or card stock it helps to score the fold. That is, make a crease ...
When you need to make a neat fold in heavy paper or card stock it helps to score the fold. That is, make a crease ...
Man vs. Machine
When shopping for printers for desktop publishing do you turn to the Better Business Bureau and Yellow Pages or do you trot yourself down to ...
When shopping for printers for desktop publishing do you turn to the Better Business Bureau and Yellow Pages or do you trot yourself down to ...
New Desktop Printers
Here are some of the latest printers on the market. (via graphics.com)EPSON Stylus C84 Ink Jet Printer with DuraBrite Inks - under $100 all-purpose ink ...
Here are some of the latest printers on the market. (via graphics.com)EPSON Stylus C84 Ink Jet Printer with DuraBrite Inks - under $100 all-purpose ink ...
Paper Isn't Dead Yet...
Sure the Web is glamorous and fun. But print publishing hasn't died. ...
Sure the Web is glamorous and fun. But print publishing hasn't died. ...
Personalized Printing
I liken it to the merge feature of word processing software - but on a much larger scale. If you've thought about printing up a ...
I liken it to the merge feature of word processing software - but on a much larger scale. If you've thought about printing up a ...
Picking Paper
One measure of paper is its grade. Paper is classified based on the type of pulp, treatments it receives, and how the paper will be ...
One measure of paper is its grade. Paper is classified based on the type of pulp, treatments it receives, and how the paper will be ...
Plastic Printing
"I'm doing a package design on a plastic box... Problem: there is no white ink. Printing is not opaque... unless it is on an opaque ...
"I'm doing a package design on a plastic box... Problem: there is no white ink. Printing is not opaque... unless it is on an opaque ...
PostScript Printer Q&A
Q. What's the difference between a PostScript printer and an ordinary one? ...
Q. What's the difference between a PostScript printer and an ordinary one? ...
Printer News: Konica Minolta, Dell, HP
Looking for a new printer? Latest entries do laser color for less and do it all in a single unit. KONICA MINOLTA Shatters $500 Color ...
Looking for a new printer? Latest entries do laser color for less and do it all in a single unit. KONICA MINOLTA Shatters $500 Color ...
Printing on Compact Discs
Shopping for CD labels a few days ago I was overwhelmed by the choices available - so many different packages for designing and applying labels ...
Shopping for CD labels a few days ago I was overwhelmed by the choices available - so many different packages for designing and applying labels ...
Printing Triva: Ink All Over
Why do some printing inks smudge easily (like newspapers) and others usually don't (such as books)? It's a combination of the ink, the paper, and ...
Why do some printing inks smudge easily (like newspapers) and others usually don't (such as books)? It's a combination of the ink, the paper, and ...
Product News: Inkjet Printable CD-Rs
I have a hard enough time figuring out how to print on envelopes and label sheets. Now Memorex wants me to put a CD in ...
I have a hard enough time figuring out how to print on envelopes and label sheets. Now Memorex wants me to put a CD in ...
Product News: Put It On Paper! E-Book
Mystified by the printing process? Worried about your first venture into commercial printing? This 96-page e-book promises "practical advice that will help customers work with ...
Mystified by the printing process? Worried about your first venture into commercial printing? This 96-page e-book promises "practical advice that will help customers work with ...
Proofing Printer
If you're considering doing your own proofs and want a printer that rivals press-quality proofs, Imaging IQ has tips and recommendations on "Choosing a color ...
If you're considering doing your own proofs and want a printer that rivals press-quality proofs, Imaging IQ has tips and recommendations on "Choosing a color ...
Put Your Pages in Order
We frequently get questions in the desktop publishing forum about how to put pages in the right order so that when printed and folded they ...
We frequently get questions in the desktop publishing forum about how to put pages in the right order so that when printed and folded they ...
Q. How Can I Print the Color White?
A. The short answer is that in most cases, you can't. Most inks used in offset printing are translucent therefore a translucent white ink would ...
A. The short answer is that in most cases, you can't. Most inks used in offset printing are translucent therefore a translucent white ink would ...
Q. What Kind of Boards are Used in Mechanicals?
Although digital mechanicals are the norm these days, sometimes doing it the "old-fashioned" way is still desirable. But what sort of boards do you use ...
Although digital mechanicals are the norm these days, sometimes doing it the "old-fashioned" way is still desirable. But what sort of boards do you use ...
Random Drops of Ink from the World's Smallest Printer
We have computers that fit in the palm of a hand, why not a printer for your shirt pocket? Not only that, how about a ...
We have computers that fit in the palm of a hand, why not a printer for your shirt pocket? Not only that, how about a ...
Rant Mode: Getting It Printed
Don't let a service provider dictate your hardware and software choices. Find one who can accommodate your files and learn how to accommodate their short-comings...
Don't let a service provider dictate your hardware and software choices. Find one who can accommodate your files and learn how to accommodate their short-comings...
RIP It!
Salli posts, "I'm looking for a software postscript RIP so that I can print proofs and comps on my desktop inkjet." Have any suggestions?And for ...
Salli posts, "I'm looking for a software postscript RIP so that I can print proofs and comps on my desktop inkjet." Have any suggestions?And for ...
Scrap Paper
Epson introduces PremierArt™ Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper, "the only scrapbook size archival, printable, top quality photo paper." (via Graphics.com)Related resources from this site: Scrapbooking ...
Epson introduces PremierArt™ Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper, "the only scrapbook size archival, printable, top quality photo paper." (via Graphics.com)Related resources from this site: Scrapbooking ...
Solve This: Binding Issues
Sue needs help finding a way to bind cards. She writes, "I have a project: 5 each 2-sided (cardstock) small laminated reference cards that need...
Sue needs help finding a way to bind cards. She writes, "I have a project: 5 each 2-sided (cardstock) small laminated reference cards that need...
Talking to Your Printer (the person not the machine)
Shelley needs help learning how to talk to printers. What should you ask? How do you make sure you get the information you need from ...
Shelley needs help learning how to talk to printers. What should you ask? How do you make sure you get the information you need from ...
The High Cost of Inkjet Printing
I'm desperately in need of a new ink cartridge for my printer but have been putting it off. It's no wonder. A story in This...
I'm desperately in need of a new ink cartridge for my printer but have been putting it off. It's no wonder. A story in This...
Using Service Bureaus
Not every print job will require the use of a service bureau but when you have prepress tasks that are beyond your capabilities, the service ...
Not every print job will require the use of a service bureau but when you have prepress tasks that are beyond your capabilities, the service ...
Ways to Get Things Printed
While offset lithography remains the most common commercial printing method for most desktop publishing projects, there are other options. Here's a quick overview of the ...
While offset lithography remains the most common commercial printing method for most desktop publishing projects, there are other options. Here's a quick overview of the ...
We've Got Questions about Paper and Printers
Your paper, printer, and printing expertise is needed in the forum. Jump in now. "I am taking the greeting card class and find it very ...
Your paper, printer, and printing expertise is needed in the forum. Jump in now. "I am taking the greeting card class and find it very ...
White Ink
"I am designing invitations for a Christmas party, and I wanted them on Dark Blue Vellum paper, with the writing in white ink. My printer ...
"I am designing invitations for a Christmas party, and I wanted them on Dark Blue Vellum paper, with the writing in white ink. My printer ...
Why Use Ink?
In looking over the search strings from this site last week I noticed that someone had posed the question "Why Use Ink?" I don't know ...
In looking over the search strings from this site last week I noticed that someone had posed the question "Why Use Ink?" I don't know ...