Print & Mail Made Simple: A Friendly Guide of Printing Terminology
Why Use a Full-Service Printer?
You hand over your idea (a logo, text, image) and we handle everything from file setup to getting your project in someone’s mailbox. We combine digital printing, offset printing, mailing, fulfillment, and promo products all under one roof. No juggling multiple vendors or missing steps.
What We Offer — Quick Overview
Here’s what CSI Printing does:
Digital Printing
Fast, flexible, perfect for short runs (e.g. flyers, business cards, brochures)
Offset Printing
Great for large runs; gives superb color consistency.
Direct Mail / Mailing Services
We manage addressing, postal prep, EDDM, mailing lists, etc.
Fulfillment / Warehousing
We can store inventory, pick & pack, ship for you.
Promotional Products
Branded swag like mugs, apparel, pens, etc.
Binding & Booklets / Finishing
Coil, wire-o, perfect binding, stapling, folding, and more.
Print Jargon You’ll Hear (and What It Means)
| Term | Definition (Plain English) |
|---|---|
| Bleed | When your design goes past the trim edge (we print extra so color or images reach all the way to the edge). |
| Trim / Cut | Where your printed piece is cut to its final size. |
| Safe Zone | Margin inside the trim where important text or logos shouldn’t go, to avoid being cut off. |
| CMYK | The four-color printing model: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black. |
| RGB | Color model used for screens (Red, Green, Blue)—not ideal for print. |
| Spot Color | A single, precise ink color (often pantone) used for logos. |
| Registration | How well the different ink colors line up. |
| Resolution / DPI / PPI | How sharp your images are (dots or pixels per inch). Aim for 300 dpi for print. |
| Coating / Varnish / UV | A finish (matte, gloss, spot UV) that protects or highlights parts of your print. |
| Die Cut | Custom shapes cut out (e.g. a hanger tag shape). |
| Overrun / Underrun | Extra (or fewer) copies we run beyond (or below) your order to allow for waste or adjustments. |
| Bind / Saddle Stitch / Perfect Bind | Ways to hold pages together (stapling in the spine, gluing, etc.). |
| Proof | A sample print (digital or physical) for you to approve before full printing. |
Choosing
Digital
vs.
Offset
Think of it like this:
Digital Printing
- Best for small quantities (say, under 500).
- No plate setup cost.
- Great for personalized or variable data jobs.
- Quick turnaround.
Offset Printing
- Better per piece when your quantity is large.
- Needs plates, more setup.
- Excellent color consistency and wide material options.
- Ideal for big runs (books, catalogs, magazines).
We’ll recommend the right method based on your quantity, budget, and timing.
Getting Your Files Ready: What We Need From You
To make sure your print comes out clean and perfect:
- Use high resolution images (300 dpi).
- Use CMYK color mode (not RGB).
- Include bleed (often ⅛ inch beyond trim).
- Keep important text inside the safe zone (away from the edge).
- Embed or outline fonts (so your text doesn’t shift).
- Provide a print proof or approve our proof.
- Name your files clearly (e.g. project_businesscard_final.pdf).
We’ll check your file in prepress, catch issues (low resolution, missing fonts, wrong color mode) and send you a proof for approval before going to press.
Mailing & Direct Mail: What We Handle
When you’re sending direct mail, here’s what we take care of:
- Address list prep & cleaning (remove bad or duplicate addresses).
- Creating mail formats: postcards, letters, brochures.
- Postal compliance: formats, dimensions, weight rules.
- EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) — mail to all households in a postal route.
- Sorting, barcodes, postal discounts.
- Inserting, folding, sealing, labeling.
- Drop to the post office.
We’ll guide you through mailing classes (First Class, Marketing Mail, etc.), costs, and delivery time.
Promotional Products & Swag
Want branded items? Here’s what to know:
- The item, surface, and print method matter (e.g. printing on metal vs fabric).
- Some items need spot color, others full color or sublimation.
- Lead times are often longer (due to sourcing the blank items).
- We’ll provide mockups or samples before printing.
- Bulk orders usually drop your per-unit cost drastically.
Binding, Finishing & Special Effects
These finishing touches can elevate your piece:
- Folding — tri-fold, z-fold, gatefold, etc.
- Binding — saddle stitch, wire-o, perfect binding, spiral, comb, hardcover.
- Coatings — UV, spot UV, matte, gloss, aqueous.
- Embossing / Debossing — raised or pressed designs.
- Foil stamping, die cuts or window cuts.
Each effect adds cost but can turn heads. We’ll help you pick what fits your budget and brand.
Workflow: What to Expect When You Order
- Kickoff & specs — we’ll ask size, quantity, paper stock, deadlines.
- File submission & prepress check — we’ll review your files, catch errors.
- Proofs — digital or physical sample for your approval.
- Production — printing, finishing, binding.
- Mailing / fulfillment (if needed) — we insert, sort, ship.
- Delivery or drop to post office — we send or mail it out.
We keep you updated at every step.
Pricing & Turnaround Tips
- Many costs come from paper / substrate, quantity, and finishing.
- Higher quantities = lower per piece cost.
- Special finishes, coatings, and die cuts cost more.
- Rush jobs incur a premium.
- Ask about overrun allowances (we may run a few extra pieces to ensure quality).
- Ask for samples to verify paper and finish.
- Bundle services (print + mail + fulfillment) — we can save you time and money.
