Brochure Features That You Can Customize For Offset Printing

By: Rachelle Lim
Submitted: 2008-07-18 15:09:15
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You can modify the specifications of your brochure before you send it off for offset printing.  Many printing companies will give you options, plus the full authority to play with the appearance so you can tailor-fit your brochure’s look according to your exact need.

For example, for brochures requiring bigger designs, you can choose bigger dimensions.  For layouts that require several panels, you have a host of folding styles that you can choose from.  You can also alter the coating material to provide the most suitable finish for your brochures. 

Five of these specs are enumerated below for you to get a better idea on how to go about the customization process.

1.    Brochure size

Plenty of brochures in circulation at the moment are the common letter size brochures measuring 8.5” x 11”.  But what you may not know is that there are brochure sizes that a much smaller or much bigger than this size. 

Smaller ones have added appeal due to its handy and lightweight features.  Bigger ones, on the other hand, offer wider rooms for bigger designs and comprehensive texts, quite crucial if you need to insert much information in one sheet of paper.

Cost may be one of your concerns here when you opt for larger dimensions.  If you are sending out your brochures for direct mail marketing, consider the fact that added weight increase your postage cost. 

2.    Stock type

Stock types refer to the paper used for printing.  If you want to save, you may opt for the thinner and more flexible text stock.  However, to get more protection from creases and for a studier option, you may go for the thicker and more rigid cover stock. 

3.    Coating material

There are many coating materials that are available, some are colorless, some are colored, some offer a dull finish and some provide sheen while others produce intense gloss. 

Two of the most common are aqueous solution which lends a glossy and smooth paper surface, and matte coating which gives a flat and satin finish.  Gloss has an advantage of making images appear brighter, as well as water-resistant.  Matte coats create a subdued effect.

4.    Folding style

Brochures are open to different folding options such as the basic half-fold and letter fold.  There is also what you call a Z-fold.  This is also folded into three parts like letter fold but instead of a simple overlapping of folds, all edges are exposed in the Z-fold and the cross section of the brochure looks like the letter Z. 

Other choices are the accordion fold, gate fold, barrel fold, French fold and parallel fold.

5.    Color options

There are three common options for this spec.  For 4/0 (which is read as four over zero), nothing is printed at the back of the brochure.  Only the front is impressed with full color prints.  4/1, on the other hand, denotes brochures with two printed sides; one is in full color and the other in black prints.  The last one is 4/4, a code for two sides in full color.

Options vary per printer, so you may want to check the range of their customization offers before you get a deal for offset printing. 

Article source: Expert Articles