Print Knowledge

The environmental impact of brochure printing

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Brochure printing can have a significant impact on the environment, but there are steps you can take to reduce this impact. As a responsible consumer, you can make a difference by choosing eco-friendly options and adopting sustainable practices. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Digital Printing is a Better Option: Digital printing is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional printing presses with more options for shorter runs. It uses less energy and raw materials, and also offers recycled paper options. By choosing digital printing, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
  2. Choose Sustainable Materials: Opt for environmentally friendly materials, such as vegetable-based inks, instead of petroleum-based inks. Vegetable-based inks emit fewer harmful chemicals and are made from renewable resources, helping to preserve the planet’s natural resources. Additionally, consider printing on recycled paper to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
  3. Make it a Habit to Print on Both Sides: Double-sided printing is a common practice that helps reduce paper usage and minimize waste. By printing on both sides of the page, you can cut your paper usage in half, saving resources and reducing your impact on the environment. Not only is this a simple and effective way to reduce your environmental footprint but it’s also become the norm in many offices and homes. So, make it a habit to always print on both sides and join the effort to create a more sustainable future.
  4. Don’t Forget to Recycle: Recycling is an important part of creating a more sustainable future, so be sure to recycle printed pieces once they are no longer needed. This reduces waste and promotes a circular economy, where materials are continually reused, reducing the need for new resources to be extracted.

By choosing eco-friendly options and adopting sustainable practices, you can reduce the environmental impact of brochure printing. From digital printing to two-sided printing, there are several ways to make a difference and create a more sustainable future. So, next time you print a brochure, consider these tips and make a conscious effort to reduce your environmental impact.

The environmental impact of print: Choosing eco-friendly options

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At Aspect Printing, we are often asked about the environmental impact of printing. It’s a valid concern – after all, the printing industry has a reputation for being resource-intensive and potentially harmful to the environment. However, it’s important to note that there are eco-friendly options available that can minimize the environmental impact of printing. Here are a few things to consider when choosing eco-friendly options for your print projects:

One of the biggest considerations when it comes to eco-friendly printing is the type of paper you use. There are a variety of eco-friendly paper options available, including recycled paper, FSC-certified paper, and paper made from bamboo or sugarcane. Recycled paper is made from post-consumer waste, which helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. FSC-certified paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests, ensuring that the paper production process is sustainable. Bamboo and sugarcane paper are made from fast-growing grasses that have a lower environmental impact than traditional tree-based paper. Additionally, using vegetable-based inks instead of petroleum-based inks can also reduce the environmental impact of printing. Vegetable-based inks are made from renewable resources such as soy or corn, and they are more biodegradable than petroleum-based inks. They also tend to be less toxic and emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the printing process, which can be beneficial for both the environment and the health of your employees.

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of printing is to consider digital printing. Digital printing has a lower environmental impact than traditional offset printing because it doesn’t require the use of printing plates. This means that there’s less waste involved in the production process, and it’s easier to make small quantities or print on demand. Digital printing also allows for variable data printing, which means that you can personalize your print materials for each recipient, reducing the amount of waste that’s generated.

In addition to these traditional eco-friendly options, there are also new innovations in the world of eco-friendly printing. For example, some companies now offer 100% recyclable roller banners, which can be a more sustainable alternative to traditional banner materials. Additionally, PVC-free banner printing materials are becoming more widely available, offering a more sustainable option for large format printing projects.

Finally, choosing a local print company can also have an impact on the environmental footprint of your print projects. Working with a local printer reduces the distance that your materials need to be shipped, which can help to reduce the carbon emissions associated with transportation. Additionally, supporting local businesses helps to keep money in the local economy, which can have a positive impact on the community.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to choose eco-friendly options when it comes to printing. By considering factors such as paper choice, ink type, printing method, and location, as well as new innovations in eco-friendly printing, you can minimize the environmental impact of your print projects and do your part to protect the planet.

The history of the printing process: from woodblock to digital

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The history of printing is a fascinating one, and it’s amazing to think about how far the technology has come over the centuries. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the evolution of paper printing, from the early days of woodblock printing to the modern era of digital printing.

The earliest form of printing can be traced back to ancient civilizations in China, where woodblock printing was used to create text and images on fabric and paper. This process involved carving an image or text into a block of wood and then inking the block and pressing it onto a surface to create a print. Woodblock printing was a labor-intensive process, and it wasn’t until the invention of movable type in the 11th century that printing began to become more efficient.

Movable type, invented by the Chinese printer Bi Sheng, involved creating individual characters or letters out of clay or metal that could be arranged and rearranged to create different texts. This process was further refined by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century, who developed a system using metal letters that could be mass-produced and used to create printed books. Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized the way information was disseminated, and it played a key role in the spread of knowledge and ideas during the Renaissance.

In the 19th century, lithographic printing was developed, which involved creating a printing plate by drawing an image onto a stone or metal plate with a grease pencil. The plate was then washed with water, and the image area retained the grease and repelled the water, while the non-image areas absorbed the water. The plate was then pressed onto a sheet of paper, transferring the image onto the paper. This process made it possible to print high-quality images and texts quickly and at a lower cost than traditional letterpress printing.

In the 19th century, lithographic printing was developed, which involved creating a printing plate by drawing an image onto a stone or metal plate with a grease pencil. The plate was then washed with water, and the image area retained the grease and repelled the water, while the non-image areas absorbed the water. The plate was then pressed onto a sheet of paper, transferring the image onto the paper. This process made it possible to print high-quality images and texts quickly and at a lower cost than traditional letterpress printing. One of the most well-known lithographic printing presses is the Heidelberg press, which was developed in Germany in the late 19th century. The Heidelberg press is a high-speed offset printing press that uses rotary printing plates and is capable of printing on a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, and plastic. It has become a staple in the printing industry and is known for its reliability and efficiency.

In the 20th century, digital printing was developed, which uses digital files rather than printing plates to create prints. This process involves printing digital files directly onto paper or other materials using inkjet or laser printers. Digital printing has many advantages, including the ability to print on demand, the ability to print small quantities economically, and the ability to print variable data such as personalized direct mail.

As you can see, the history of printing has come a long way from the early days of woodblock printing. Today, we have a range of printing technologies at our disposal, and it’s exciting to think about where the industry will go next. Will we see even more advanced digital printing technologies emerge, or will we see a resurgence of traditional printing methods? Only time will tell!

The ultimate guide to designing for print

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Designing for print can be a challenging task, but with the right knowledge and planning, you can create high-quality designs that will look great when printed. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, it’s important to understand the various factors that can affect your final product, such as colour mode, image resolution, and font formatting. In this post, we’ll give you some tips and guidelines to help you create professional and visually appealing designs that meet industry standards. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your designs will be printed accurately and look the way you intended.

When producing your design, it’s important to set your colours to CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) colours unless specified otherwise. This is because most printing processes use these colours to create a full spectrum of colours. If you use RGB (red, green, blue) colours, they may appear differently when printed and can result in a less accurate representation of your design. Make sure to save your design in CMYK format before sending it to the printer.

Using high-resolution images with a resolution of 300 dpi (Dots per inch) or greater is also crucial. This will ensure that your images look sharp and clear when printed. If you use low-resolution images, they may appear pixelated or blurry when printed. Vector graphics are another great option for printing because they are created using mathematical algorithms and can be resized without losing quality. They will maintain their sharpness and clarity no matter how large or small they are printed. If you use raster graphics, which are made up of pixels, they may become pixelated or blurry when resized.

Make sure to add a margin to keep your main content away from the edge. The margin around the outside of your design is where to avoid including text or logos, this is both good practice for designing and also to keep it well away from being cropped. A good rule of thumb is to give your design a 5mm margin all the way around.

You’ll likely need to add a bleed area as well as the margin, most printers require it. When you stretch your design elements past the edge of the page, a bleed is needed to ensure that you can crop the final design neatly. This is required since the trimming of your materials may vary slightly as a result of the printing process. You may make sure that your design components extend past the final trim area and eliminate any white space around the edges of your printed product by inserting a 3mm bleed.

When you’re ready to send your design, make sure to save it as a PDF (Portable Document Format). PDFs can be saved from most software either directly, through export options or sometimes as a print-and-save setting. Most commercial printers (like us)will use PDFs as they keep the colour, font and quality information in them even if they were produced in software that the print company doesn’t have. This way you will have a consistent result. When saving your design as a PDF, be sure to choose the “Press Quality” or “High-Quality Print” option (if available) to ensure the best possible print quality.

There are many different software options available for designing for print, and the right one for you will depend on your specific needs and skill level. Some well-known software options that are commonly used for designing for print include: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Canva. Consider your skill level and the type of project you are working on to determine which software is the best fit for you.

When designing for print, it’s important to make sure that your fonts are properly formatted. This is because not all computers and devices have the same fonts installed, and if your design uses a font that is not installed on the printer’s computer, it could cause issues with the final printed product. To avoid this, you can either outline or embed your fonts. Outlining fonts means converting the text in your design into a series of vector shapes, while embedding fonts means including the font file with your design file. Consider your specific needs and the requirements of your project to determine which approach is best for you.

It’s worth us briefly discussing spot colours and Pantones. Spot colours are specific colours that are created using a single ink rather than a combination of colours. They are often used by big brands to maintain consistency in their branding and are usually identified by a specific code, such as a Pantone colour. Pantone colours are a widely recognized system for identifying spot colours and are used by many printers and design professionals. While spot colours and Pantones can be an important consideration for big brands, they generally require specialist printing equipment and may not be necessary for most projects.

By following the tips above, you can create professional artwork without getting nasty surprises when your print company doesn’t accept the artwork or worse delivers your print and it doesn’t meet your expectations. Use these as a rule of thumb no matter what you are designing, these will work with most UK printers but always make sure to read any artwork specific guidelines. 

How to Get Your Artwork Print-Ready: A Practical Guide

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Preparing your artwork for print is crucial to achieving a high-quality final product. By following these steps, you can avoid costly errors and ensure your designs look as polished in print as they do on screen.

1. Set Up Your Document Correctly

  • Size Matters: Ensure your document matches the desired print size. If you’re unsure, consult your designer or check our size guide.
  • Add Bleed (3mm Minimum): Extend your design 3mm beyond the trim lines to avoid unwanted white edges when cutting. This is especially important for full-bleed designs like brochures and posters.

2. Check Your Colour Mode

  • Switch to CMYK: Print processes use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), not RGB. Converting to CMYK ensures colours translate correctly from screen to print.
  • Proof Carefully: Colours on your screen may differ slightly from printed output. Consider requesting a proof if exact colours are critical.

3. Convert Text to Outlines

  • Why It’s Important: Converting text to outlines ensures fonts won’t change or misalign during the printing process.
  • How to Do It: In Adobe Illustrator or InDesign, use the “Create Outlines” option to make your text scalable and uneditable.

4. Include Print Marks and Bleed

  • Trim Marks: These indicate where the printer will cut your document. Always include them in your file.
  • Bleed: This extra space around your design prevents visual elements from being accidentally trimmed too close to the edge.

5. Ensure High Resolution

  • Minimum Resolution: 300dpi (dots per inch) is the industry standard for print. For large-scale designs, aim for 600dpi to preserve detail when scaling down.
  • How to Check: In Photoshop, go to Image > Image Size and confirm the resolution is 300dpi or higher.

6. Save as a PDF

  • Why PDF?: PDFs retain all design elements, ensuring your file is print-ready.
  • Export Settings: Use “High Quality Print” or “Press Quality” settings in your design software. If in doubt, check with your printer for specific requirements.

Bonus Tips

  • Embed Images: Ensure all linked images are embedded within the file to avoid missing assets during print.
  • File Naming: Use clear, descriptive file names to help your printer identify your job easily.

Why Print-Ready Artwork Matters

A properly prepared file ensures your design looks professional and avoids delays or additional costs. Attention to detail at this stage will save you time and hassle later.

Need Help?

If any of this feels overwhelming, don’t worry! We’re here to assist. Whether you need advice on file setup or a quick check of your artwork, just get in touch.

Get your artwork print-ready today and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your vision brought to life in stunning detail!
Call: 01483 256785  or Email: [email protected]