The Digital Nirvana » Binding and Finishing

Fold of the Week!

Nicole Schappert — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:03:58 +0000

This just in – RR Donnelley’s Annual report is a funky fold, not your standard bound booklet!

This weeks fold features an Asymmetrical Broadside Booklet Fold submitted by RR Donnelley. This broadside booklet fold gives you the feel of a bound book but opens up to reveal a variety of panels. Watch the video below for more details!

Let’s Talk Digital Post-Processing

Heidi Tolliver-Walker — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:04:20 +0000

It’s been interesting to stir up conversation here and on other discussion boards about the current status of toner versus offset print. My first post on the topic on Digital Nirvana, about the visual differences between the two, generated a lot of responses. Lots of people wanted to chime in on that one. The second post, on the remaining design limitations of digital presses, didn’t generate comments at all. (What’s up with that?) So let’s try again.

Let’s look at bindery and post-processing.

Here are three of the remaining issues I still hanging “out there” as they impact marketers directly. Please chime in and let me know what you’re still seeing.

1. Toner is not as inherently “tough” as offset ink, so documents printed with toner may be more likely to scuff or mark during post-processing. In these cases, the value of the larger application needs to be weighed against the impact of any minimal marking that might occur.

2. Cracking across the fold can still be an issue in some digitally printed applications, especially when the toner coverage is extremely heavy. While this can be vastly minimized or eliminated through the use of optimized post-processing steps, such as running the job through specialized creasers before folding, the issue itself is still rumbling around.

(Question: Do you see clients requiring heavy post-processing predisposed to looking into working with printers with digital presses that use polymerized toner?)

3. Issues with insertion, collation, and scoring, which are handled differently on digital presses than offset presses. This continues to impact the cost-effectiveness and productivity of projects such as books, catalogs, and newsletters.

These are the three I still consistently hear people talking about. What’s your experience?

Super-cool Fold of the Week

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:20:17 +0000

Today I’ll show you this week’s fold: the Lady Liberty Self-envelope Mail piece. This sophisticated self-mailer was created by Structural Graphics in Essex, CT. On the outside, it’s a simple direct mail envelope but opens to reveal an L-format pop up that is illuminated by metallic gradient hidden behind a broad-side fold. Simple, yet classy!

Watch for yourself!

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VE51wjRCFNc

Another Super-Cool Fold of the Week

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:59:07 +0000

This week’s fold comes from SPC, Specialty Print Communications in Niles, IL. This Mystifying High Speed Inline Pop-up Mailer is a self-mailing piece printed on 100 lb. sterling matte text. Amazingly, these mailers were finished 100% inline from end to end. This is a great example of an exiting mailer than can be printed in high quantities and can apply to a variety of clients and marketing campaigns. Watch the video for more!

Another Super-Cool Fold of the Week!

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:43:59 +0000

This weeks fold is the Accordion with Rockin’ Millboard covers sent it from Print It in Vancouver, Canada. This promotional piece highlights print technology and expertise at its finest. The piece features a long accordion fold which is actually two different folds seemed together. The front and back covers feature 60 point millboard to add weight and stability to the piece. Adding an additional creative feature, Print It embellished the front cover with perfectly die-cut and centered circles. Not to be outdone by the front cover, the back cover boasts of black letter press. See for yourself!

The Latest Super-Cool Fold of the Week

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:40:15 +0000

This week, we showcase the Iron Cross with Stitched-in Booklet submitted by Digital Ink in Alexandria, VA created for the American Bankers Association. The piece first opens in gate format to reveal two sides that fold out to create an iron cross format. The innovation doesn’t stop here. The interior boasts of a 12 page stitched booklet. This booklet provides an excellent opportunity to include marketing material into a leave-behind brochure or mailed item. Watch the video for more!

Super-cool Fold of the Week

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:30:10 +0000

Welcome to the first FOW on The Digital Nirvana in 2012! I’m sure this year will bring plenty of innovative and fun new folds. This week’s Fab Kaleidoscope Cover Invitation comes from Schmitt’s Press in Baltimore and was created back in 2005 for a fundraising event for Maryland Institute College of Art. What makes this fold so interesting is how the die-cut shape on the front cover interacts with the graphic beneath to create a kaleidoscope effect. This is a superb example of creative designing with simpler folding.

As always, think finishing at the beginning. Enjoy!

Super-cool Fold of the Week

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:53:32 +0000

This week’s fold is a Storytelling Vertical Open Gate into Accordion submitted by VSA Partners in Chicago. It’s a great example of how a folding can tell a company’s story. While this was not used as a direct mail piece, it’s a creative leave behind piece that people will want hold on to. The designer made great use of strategically placed QR codes to drive viewers to visit the website and specific videos. Enjoy!

A very special Super-Cool Fold of the Week!

Nicole Schappert — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:36:22 +0000

Here is a special treat for Thanksgiving week… First is the Swing Cover Direct Mailer. This piece combines a swinger fold technique with a tri-fold and was completely done by machine at Bindagraphics in Baltimore, MD. Second, watch the actual footage of this mailer being printed in the production facility. Think of it as your turkey dinner with an extra special desert. Enjoy!

As always, be sure to check out more treats for printers and marketing service providers at www.OceWow.com.

Here is another 60 Second Super-cool Fold of the Week

Trish Witkowski — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:46:07 +0000

In this week’s fold, Trish highlights another great creation from ITP in Elizabethtown, PA. This unique direct mail piece was created for New Homes Guide in Fairfax Virginia. ITP and New Homes Guide used this piece to not only tell advertisers about their new large-format magazine, but they also showed advertisers what space they can get for the same price. The piece opens into a tri-fold first, but then unexpectedly tri-folds down to show the new advertising capabilities of the magazine. This is an excellent example of using print creatively to highlight the magazine’s strengths. Check out the video below!

If you are looking for more innovative ideas like these, be sure to check out OceWow.com!