Printing and Decoration Options

      Binders are created by cutting a large piece of material that makes up the front cover, spine and back cover of the binder. Your artwork is then applied to the material. There are several processes you can use to apply the artwork to your binder cover.

	Screen Printing	Foil Stamping	Offset Printing	Embossing

* Only with expanded/supported vinyl.
** This is practical only for larger quantities cost-efficient.

Screen Printing

     A process of printing on a wide variety of materials. Started by the creation of a screen which has the non-printing areas blocked by a stencil. Printing is done by applying ink to the screen, spreading and forcing it through the fine mesh openings onto the material surface.

     Things to consider when preparing artwork for screen printing: 

-- All lines, type and graphics must be at least 2 points in thickness
-- Artwork should be based on 65 line screen
-- Halftones should not be more than 80% in value or less than 20%

Foil-Stamping (Hot-Stamping)

     Foil or hot-stamping is a process of applying heat and pressure through a metal die to transfer foil onto the material surface. Metallic gold, silver foil are most common, but colored foils are available.

     Things to consider when preparing artwork for foil-stamping: 

-- All lines, type and graphics must be at least I pt in thickness 
-- Reverse type should be bold. Fine reverse type has a tendency to fill in when stamped 
-- Eliminate any halftones and screens

Debossing and Embossing

     Debossing involves the process of using pressure to press a metal die into the printing surface. The die smoothes out the grain of the material and lowers the surface. Embossing, a fine quality imprints are raised above the surface. It is formed under extreme heat and pressure using Ying-Yang double Die. They offer the fully engraved appearance always associated with top quality and prestige.

     Things to consider when preparing artwork for debossing and embossing: 

-- All lines, type and graphics must be at least I pt in thickness 
-- Reverse type should be bold. Fine reverse type has a tendency to fill in when stamped 
-- Eliminate any halftones and screens 

Offset Printing

     A conventional style of imprinting, used on almost all paper, some plastic sheet or film. Almost any colors of ink is available. Pictures and screens can easily be included. When preparing artwork for offset printing there are nothing to consider.