Choosing printed marketing materials is only the first step. The stock, finish, fold and binding can change how the finished piece looks and feels.
This print guide explains the options available for flat and folded products. It also covers laminating, finishing, perforation, folding and binding choices.
Use it alongside the printed products available within Fusion Office’s Printed Marketing range.
Choosing the Right Stock for Printed Products
The stock creates the foundation for every printed piece. Different finishes can change colour appearance, readability and the overall style.
Silk Stock
Silk stock is a popular choice for professional print.
It has a slight sheen that helps colours appear vibrant. However, it avoids the stronger shine associated with a full gloss finish.
This makes silk stock attractive while remaining easy to read.
Uncoated Stock
Uncoated stock is the easiest option to write on.
It works particularly well when the printed item may need handwritten information added later.
Uncoated paper can also support designs that require a more rustic appearance.
Gloss Stock
Gloss coated stock provides a brighter, shinier appearance.
It can add extra vibrancy to colours and photographs without requiring an additional gloss lamination.
Lamination Options
Lamination adds another finish to printed products and can significantly change their appearance.
The guide shows lamination options for 250gsm Silk, 350gsm Silk and 450gsm Silk.
Matt Lamination
Matt lamination provides a smooth and non-reflective finish.
It softens glare while creating a refined and professional appearance.
Soft-Touch Lamination
Soft-touch lamination creates a velvet-style surface.
The tactile finish gives printed materials a premium, high-end feel.
Gloss Lamination
Gloss lamination adds a sleek and glossy layer.
It increases colour depth and contrast, helping bold designs create greater visual impact.
Finishing Options
Finishing details can highlight selected elements within your artwork.
The guide shows these options as available with Matt and Soft-Touch Lamination.
Silver Foiling
Silver foiling adds metallic silver detailing to the design.
It creates a cool, refined finish and can help specific elements stand out.
Gold Foiling
Gold foiling introduces rich metallic detailing.
It brings warmth to the artwork while creating a more luxurious appearance.
Spot UV
Spot UV applies a high-gloss coating to selected areas.
It can highlight important design elements using additional shine and texture.
Perforation Options
Perforation creates sections that can be separated cleanly from the main printed piece.
These options are only available on selected products.
Centre Perforation
A single perforated line runs through the middle of the printed item.
This creates a simple and clean separation point.
Ticket Perforation
Ticket perforation places one perforated line at the right-hand third.
It works well where the design requires a separate tear-off section.
Fold Guide for Leaflets and Printed Marketing
Folding helps organise information and guide the reader through the content.
Different fold styles can also change how information is revealed as the printed piece opens.
The available options shown in the Fusion Office print guide include:
- 4pp Half-fold
- 6pp Z-fold
- 6pp C-fold
- 8pp Cross-fold
- 8pp C-fold roll
- 8pp Z-fold (Concertina)
- 16pp Pharma-fold
Half folds, tri-folds, Z-folds and roll folds help content flow naturally.
These formats can organise information clearly for menus, programmes, brochures and promotional handouts.
Each fold gives the printed piece structure while helping guide the reader through the content.
Binding Guide for Booklets and Brochures
Binding creates the finished structure of booklets, brochures and other multi-page printed products.
Different binding methods offer different combinations of presentation, practicality and durability.
Perfect Bound Books
Perfect bound books use glue along the spine.
This creates a square, book-like finish suited to thicker booklets and more substantial printed pieces.
The result provides a premium and professional appearance.
Stapled Booklets
Stapled booklets use staples through the spine.
They are suited to shorter booklets that need a lightweight and cost-effective finish.
This binding method is also quick to produce.
Wiro Bound Booklets
Wiro binding uses punched pages held together with metal wire.
The pages open flat and can fold back on themselves.
This makes the format suitable for manuals, notebooks and calendars.
Notepads and Deskpads
Notepads and deskpads use sheets glued along one edge with a rigid backing.
Pages can tear away easily, making them practical for everyday writing and jotting.
Matching the Finish to Your Printed Product
The right combination depends on the appearance and function required from the finished item.
Start by selecting the stock, then consider whether lamination or an additional finish would improve the design.
For folded pieces, choose a fold that keeps information organised and easy to follow.
For multi-page products, select the binding style that best suits the required presentation and practicality.
Explore Printed Marketing from Fusion Office
Fusion Office offers printed marketing products that can be used alongside the options covered within this guide.
When comparing products, consider the stock, lamination, finishing, perforation, fold and binding choices available for that item.
Browse the Printed Marketing category to explore the range and choose the format that best suits your project.
