Saddle Stitch Binding

When you need to make an impact, professionally bound materials are a great way to go. Saddle stitching is the perfect solution for smaller sized booklets and catalogs. Simple and cost effective, saddle stitching is an ideal method for binding booklets, magazines, notebooks, catalogs, programs, workbooks, calendars, menus and large brochures.

What is Saddle Stitching?

Saddle Stitching is the process taking signatures, or sheaves of folded paper, and fastening them together on the centerfold with several staples. This method is termed saddle stitching because the paper “saddles” a metal frame to align the spine of the paper under the stapler when being stapled together.

When designing your saddle stitched piece, take into consideration creep. Creep is created because the pages must be placed inside one another, causing a gradual edge protrusion on the inner pages as more pages are added. The more pages you have, the more creep allowance you will need. Once assembled, the pages will be trimmed to create a flush edge for a professional commercially printed product.

Saddle stitching is generally used for printed materials that are 4 to 64 pages. We also offer variable data options for your booklets with our digital printing capabilities. What this means for you is that we can place individual names, addresses, or other unique data on each individual booklet. You may want to explore more options on our digital printing page. Along with the custom binding, special sizing, papers and finishes are also available. We can also incorporate foil stamping, embossing, or die cutting into your design to help you achieve an original look and feel.

Saddle stitching is cost effective and attractive. As with many printed products, the unit price goes down as the quantity goes up. Our base pricing for offset printing starts with a minimum of 250 pieces, however, we are happy to accommodate much shorter runs on our digital press.
Contact us at 800-930-6040 for details and pricing on small run saddle stitch marketing materials.

Example pricing:

• 8 Page Booklet with Saddle Stitching
• 5.5 x 8.5
• Full 4 Color on inside/outside, front and back cover
• 100# Gloss text
• 250 Pieces Delivered
• $475.75 plus shipping

Our experienced print professionals can help you with your custom binding project. Just give us a call at 800-930-6040.

Foil Business Cards

Make Your Printing Shine

Foil stamping is a versatile way to give your business card a high-end and customized look. Add a touch of class or sass on a foil stamped business card featuring effects such as elegant metallics, ultra-glossy colors, shimmery pearl or distinctive textured and high-tech effects.

Foil can help boost your business. Research has shown that people perceive your product as having a higher value and quality with the addition of effects like foil to your business card and other printed marketing materials.

Cards with foil printing, called hot foil stamping or hot stamping, use the impressing of pigment or metallic foil to paper using heated dies. The stamping machine applies the foil onto the surface under high pressure, leaving the die design on the paper. Business cards with foil often feature foil text or graphics, such as logos. Your foil business card will stand out from the crowd with its distinctive and eye-catching impressiveness, giving you the advantage in the highly competitive marketplace.

A three dimensional foil image can be created by combining foil with embossing. Check out our foil stamping video below to see a stamping press in operation, and see some additional visual samples on our custom printing effects page.

Foil Options

Foil stamped business cards can pop with a variety of foil types:

• Metallic Foil has a metal-like shine and shimmer, and is available in a variety of colors, including gold, silver, red, green, blue and copper.
• Gloss Pigment Foil has a high gloss, but non-metallic finish, with numerous colors available.
• Matte Pigment Foil has a dull, non-shiny finish in deep solid colors.
• Special Effect Foils such as leathers, marbles, pearls or woodgrains add interesting textures and appearances.
• Holographic Foil uses a hologram on the surface. It creates a dramatic “high tech” effect.

What Materials can be Foil Stamped?

Foil can be used on almost any paper, including synthetic, plastic and magnet paper. Our smooth-surfaced gloss, dull/matte and lustre uncoated cover stocks are ideal for metallic foil or other foil stamped business card looks. Linen and other rough textured papers are generally not recommended for foil, since it will not look as smooth and crisp due to the paper’s uneven surface.

Designing Foil Stamped Business Cards

Foil stamping can really make a business card shine. To get the best results:

• Make sure there is a high contrast between the foil stamping and your card’s background. Foil stamping is opaque, so you can use a light colored foil over a dark background – or vice versa.
• Use at least 8pt type in a professional-looking font that’s easy to read at a glance.
• Business cards are printed on a large sheet that’s then cut into individual cards. To accommodate any slight cutting variations, we recommend that your design incorporate a 3mm “bleed” on the edges. Don’t put any text along the edges, and avoid borders that could appear off-center when cut.
• Need help with getting business card dimensions right? Check out our business card design specification guide!

Using Your Cards

Cell phones and email can’t replace the tangible quality of a business card. When you hand out business cards at a networking function, you keep the focus on your conversation – not on a piece of technology.

The key to a successful business card is simplicity. Include the main information needed to get in touch with you or learn more about your company, and leave plenty of blank space.

Business cards help you present a professional image, especially if you are a new entrepreneur, work for yourself, or are interacting with people who have never heard of your business. Foil stamping makes cards look custom and upscale, sending a message that your business is successful and values quality.

Foil stamped business cards attract attention, especially when metallic foil is combined with embossing. Take advantage of this by placing your business cards in places where they’ll be noticed. Leave stacks at local businesses, put them on community bulletin boards, or place them front and center at trade shows.

Foil stamping gives business cards an upscale look and an added punch that will help people remember you and your company. Use them to promote your business and send a message that everything you do is marked by quality.

Embossed Business Cards

Your Business Card Should RISE to the Occasion

Embossed business cards are an ideal way for you to bring attention to the message you want to convey. Being forgettable is not an option in today’s competitive business environment. Custom business cards that utilize embossing stand out, and add a dimension of sophistication to your image.

What Exactly is Embossing?

The process known as embossing utilizes two opposite etched metal dies (usually composed of copper, magnesium or brass) and heat. These elements push/raise the graphic or text above the surface of a sheet of paper to create a three-dimensional, eye-popping effect. A reversed image of the design is used to make the embossing die. If the design is indented rather than raised, it is called debossing.

You have probably seen or felt the raised surface of a notary seal; this is embossing. Business cards can be blind embossed, which is simply an imprint without ink or foil applied. Embossing with foil or color on the imprint adds another visually appealing and distinctive element to your business card.

Why Embossed Cards?

Custom printing is our specialty for a reason. Quality business cards that leave an impression give you more impact for your dollar. Grabbing the attention of potential clients and driving attention to your brand are essential to success, and embossing is an elegant way to market your business message, making it memorable.

Considering how many business cards your potential customers get each day and at trade shows and conventions, this custom effect can make all the difference in getting noticed. Embossed business cards make that lasting impression and are a great choice when considering business card ideas that yield results!

Can I see Some Examples?

We thought you’d never ask. We are happy to provide examples of the quality and creativity PrintingForLess.com is known for. Take a look at these great ideas for embossed business cards.

     

Using Embossed Business Cards

Even in our digital world, business cards are an expected part of networking. Forget to bring them and you’ll be scribbling your name on scraps of paper – and looking pretty unprofessional. Embossing makes standard business cards feel and look different, enhancing your image and increasing the chance that you’ll get a follow up call.

Business cards are most effective when they convey your most important information at a glance. Don’t clutter them up with details, but do include your key information.

Also consider including your photo. People remember faces more easily than names. A photo on your card will help people recall their conversation with you, long after the convention, tradeshow or networking event is over.

The overall look of your business cards should help promote your personal or business brand. Use the same colors as in your logo and other promotional materials. Then use embossing to suggest the qualities that make your business special. Clever use of embossing can show creativity on a designer’s cards. Used for a law firm logo, it indicates an established and respected business. And when combined with foil stamping, embossing makes your name the center of attention.

Embossed business cards also make elegant hang tags for clothing. They give off an air of quality when you tuck them in with internet orders. Use embossing to encourage repeat business by creating an embossed business card coupon that you attach to receipts.

Embossing is an old technology that breathes new life into business cards. Use it to create unique textures that will help people remember you long after that first handshake.