Defining Post Press Phase

Post press phase is basically subjected to the ‘finishing’ of the printing project, hence performed at the far end of printing process. Like any other product, printing too needs final touches. This is the most crucial phase out of all the printing phases as it determines the quality of the end product.

Activities involved in post press phase differ with the types of project. Still, cutting, assembling, folding and binding are categorize as the essential steps of this phase. Further, these steps can be sub categorized into trimming, saddle-stitching, drilling, poly-bagging, shrinking and wrapping. There are some more broadened classifications such as die-cutting, indexing, punching, ultra-violet exposure, wire stitching and plain stitching of the specifications. Again, every project needs not to be treated with all the mentioned processes.

In fact, the post press process adopted for each project sometimes differs drastically. In some cases they also include lesser finishing post press processes like perforating, drilling, varnishing, etc, in addition to the existing processes. Reason, printing industry is very vast and advance that provides the facility of printing on myriads of material types. This includes plastic, fiber, clothing, glass, wood, leather, utensils and so on other than simple papers and cartons. As the material differs, the types finishing also get different.

Apart from material type, shape and size of the project also matters a lot. Take up greeting card for example this may require gold or bronze dusting. Similarly, metal containers for printing have to be painted inside to protect the substance to be stored in it.

In post press operations, chemicals are also used, but very limited and only when it is really necessary. Mainly, adhesives are used as chemicals for binding and some other assembly activities. Other than that, the application of chemicals products is limited to printing phase only.

As said earlier, post press phase is the most crucial printing phase, it needs high precision and accuracy to ensure that customer realizes the perfection in the product. Take paper cutting for instance, each paper has to be cut with complete precision. This is the reason why this industry uses the most advance technologically programmed machinery, not for cutting for many other process that are hungry for accuracy.

Whereas post press operation involves so many small processes, packaging and distribution is another important part of this phase. When the product is touched up with final look, the very next step is to deliver the completed project to its pre specified destination(s). Until the product is not delivered to its destination with complete safety, printing job remains incomplete. To ensure that the requirements are delivered safely, the most reliable and secured consignment services are hired. Post press phase is huge and involves too many distinct and unique processes which need to be accomplished with perfection.