Start With the File and Prepress Terms
Prepress is the stage where we check your artwork before it goes to press. We look at size, bleed, margins, image quality, page order and whether the files are set up for offset or flexo printing. A clean file saves time, avoids rework and helps keep production on schedule, especially when delivery is needed to Pretoria, Sandton or further afield.
When we talk about trim size, we mean the finished size after cutting. Bleed is the extra artwork that extends past the trim line so there are no white edges after guillotining. Safe area means text and key images should sit well inside the trim so nothing gets cut off. If your layout has many pages, page order must be correct before imposition, otherwise the publication can fold out of sequence.
- Proof: a checked sample for colour, layout and content.
- Imposition: arranging pages for printing and folding.
- Registration: how accurately colours line up on press.
- Grain direction: the way paper fibres run, which affects folding and binding.
How Print Methods Differ on Books and Magazines
Offset printing is best for longer runs where you want consistent colour and sharp detail across many copies. It is commonly used for books, magazines, brochures and catalogues. Flexo printing is more often used for certain packaging and repeat production jobs where speed and volume matter. The right method depends on page count, paper choice, quantity and the finish you want.
For publishers in Johannesburg and clients sending work from Midrand, East Rand or Roodepoort, the main decision is usually between lower unit cost on larger print runs or more flexible scheduling for shorter jobs. We will often recommend a proof first, then a print run once the artwork and content are signed off. On colour critical jobs, a final proof helps keep the printed result close to what you approved, dont leave this step too late.
- Short run: fewer copies, useful for testing or small releases.
- Long run: larger quantities, better unit pricing at scale.
- Single colour: black only or one ink colour.
- Process colour: full colour printing using standard colour separation.
Binding Terms You Will Hear on a Print Quote
Binding changes the look, price and durability of a publication. Saddle stitching means folded pages are stapled through the centre fold, which suits slimmer magazines and booklets. Perfect binding uses a glued spine and gives a square edge finish often seen on thicker books. Section sewing stitches folded sections together for stronger books, while case binding adds a hard cover for a more durable product.
The right binding depends on how the publication will be used. A trade magazine for monthly circulation may suit saddle stitching. A training manual or reference book may need perfect binding or section sewing. If the book will be handled often, carried between offices or stored in humid coastal conditions, a harder binding can help it last longer.
- Spine width: the thickness of the bound edge, which changes with page count and paper.
- Cover stock: the heavier paper used for covers.
- Endpapers: the pages that connect a hard cover to the text block.
- Hinge: the fold area that lets a cover open properly.
Finishing Options That Change the Final Look
Finishing is the work done after printing and before packing. It includes lamination, foil finishing, die cutting, trimming and collation. These steps add protection and help the publication look neat and ready for distribution. Lamination is often used on covers that need extra wear resistance, while foil finishing adds a metallic detail to titles or logos. Die cutting is used when a publication needs a special shape, window or opening.
For businesses sending material nationwide, finishing also helps with handling during packing and dispatch. A laminated cover can cope better with repeated use, especially where books are moved between branches or stored in busy offices. In Johannesburg, where dust and busy handling are part of daily life, a good finish can make a real difference to the lifespan of the job.
- Matt lamination: a low-shine finish with a softer look.
- Gloss lamination: a shiny finish that makes colour stand out.
- Foil: a metallic or coloured accent applied to selected areas.
- Die cut: a shaped cut made with a custom tool.
Packing, Dispatch and Delivery Terms
Once a job is finished, it needs to be packed correctly so it arrives in good condition. Packing means wrapping, boxing and labelling the copies for transit. Dispatch is the release of the finished job to courier or delivery. We plan dispatch around quantity, destination and urgency, whether the delivery is going to Sandton, Pretoria, or a publisher in another province.
It also helps to know how many copies go in each carton and how they are stacked on the pallet. This matters when books are heavy or when a job needs to move through several stops before reaching the final reader. If your publication is going to school groups, retail stores or conferences, tell us the delivery split early so the packing matches the plan.
- Carton count: the number of boxes packed for the order.
- Palletising: stacking cartons on a pallet for safer transport.
- Split delivery: sending different quantities to more than one address.
- Lead time: the time from approval to completion.
A Simple Workflow From Quote to Finished Order
The easiest way to manage a print job is to move through it in stages. First, send your brief and artwork for a quote. Next, confirm page count, size, binding and finish. Then we check the files and send proofs if needed. After approval, production moves to press, then binding and finishing, and finally packing and dispatch. Clear approvals keep the job moving and reduce last minute changes.
For larger publishers, it helps to nominate one contact person for sign-off, especially when content is being reviewed by more than one department. That avoids delays and keeps the schedule realistic. If your job has a launch date, tell us early so we can plan print time, drying time and dispatch. A rushed approval at the end often causes avoidable hold ups.
- Send the brief with quantity, size and binding choice.
- Approve the proof and confirm the final file.
- Check the delivery address and any split drop points.
- Keep a note of the lead time for reprints or updates.
