Many customers, before undertaking brochure printing, often focus solely on design without considering the printing process, the choice of paper materials for brochures, and how to control printing costs. This oversight can lead to dissatisfaction with the printing results. In response to this issue, ZX printer would like to outline some important considerations for single-sheet brochure printing:
Pay attention to bleed areas:
Before designing brochures, it’s essential to consider bleed areas. For example, if you intend to print an A4-sized brochure, your design files shouldn’t occupy the entire A4 page. Printing facilities typically use large sheets of paper which are then trimmed according to customer requirements. If your design extends to the edge of the paper, it risks being cut off during trimming, resulting in an incomplete brochure.
Selection of brochure paper thickness:
When discussing brochure paper thickness, we’re referring to the paper weight. The higher the grams per square meter (GSM), the thicker the paper. The most commonly used paper is 157gsm gloss art paper, which strikes a balance between thickness and cost-effectiveness. Different industries have varying requirements for brochure paper quality based on their target audience. For instance, fast food establishments may have a shorter audience interaction time with brochures, thus lower paper quality may suffice. Using premium paper in such cases would significantly increase costs without proportionate benefits.
Impact of paper material on brochure quality:
Brochures are typically printed on either art paper or coated paper. Both types offer good print quality at affordable prices. Art paper produces a result similar to regular printing paper, with a slight matte texture, while coated paper has a natural glossy surface that enhances color vibrancy. Paper selection should align with the target audience and industry requirements. For example, restaurants aiming to showcase food quality may opt for art paper due to its tactile feel, while those emphasizing visual appeal may prefer coated paper for its enhanced colors.
Cost considerations in brochure printing:
Points 2 and 3 also involve cost considerations. Higher GSM paper incurs greater costs, and there’s a significant price gap between different paper types. Art paper and coated paper offer good value for money. Additionally, choosing between gang printing and offset printing affects costs. Gang printing involves printing multiple items together, reducing paper and labor costs. However, color consistency may be compromised. Offset printing, on the other hand, offers color accuracy but at a higher price due to increased paper and labor requirements.
For exceptionally high-quality brochure printing, consider dedicated printing, specialized printing, and pre-press proofing:
Some brochures target niche or upscale audiences, such as international clients, demanding a superior print finish. It’s advisable to opt for dedicated and specialized printing services. Furthermore, pre-press proofing is essential to address potential color discrepancies between digital designs and printed materials, as well as to catch any textual errors in advance.
These considerations ensure optimal results and cost-effectiveness in brochure printing.