subject: Proper Catalog Protection by:Janice Jenkins [print this page] If you want your catalogs to last in the hands of your potential customers, you have to choose the proper catalog printing choices early on in your project. There are a lot of factors involved in protecting printed catalogs to make them last longer. This can be things like using resistant coatings and other materials that increases the durability and strength of the catalogs material. If you are concerned with proper protection for your own catalog printing plans, there are a few ways that you can do to achieve this goal.
Resistant coatings: The most commonly used way to protect your catalogs is to use paper stocks that have been coated with special substances or "coats". These coats can offer several interesting properties that help the paper resist certain types of substances and sources of damage. For example, Aqueous coating techniques in printing gives catalog paper the ability to resist dirt, smudges, fingerprints and scratches. Other high gloss versions also give that professional sheen effect making the catalogs more aesthetically pleasing. UV protection coating can also be sometimes used protecting the paper and the inks from harsh light and other environmental effects that can make inks fade and deteriorate faster. Most of these coating options can readily be used by most printing companies, so there should be no trouble in availing this kind of service when creating your catalogs.
Covering in plastic: A cheaper alternative, though perhaps more labor intensive is to wrap your catalogs in some plastic covers. Plastic covers like the coatings above protect your catalogs from damage. In fact using plastic covers can make your catalogs totally immune to water and dirt effects. However, it can also be made more vulnerable to scratches this way. You can wrap your own catalogs with your own plastic covers if you want, but some printing services can also offer this feature if possible. If you have a limited budget, this is probably the cheapest way to protect your catalogs from various damages and weathering.
High quality water resistant prints: Now, the printing quality, or more particularly the inks for printing can also be your source for catalog protection. Water resistant inks and fast absorbing paper have now combined to form printing processes that are resistant to water. If your catalogs get into contact with water using these inks, they will not smudge or look runny like most other prints out there. This can really protect your catalogs especially if they encounter or are used in high moisture environments.
Plastic catalogs: Lastly, if you really want your catalogs to last the test of time, why not try for some plastic catalog printing. Plastic printing gives your catalogs a lease of a whole lifetime and even more. All plastic catalogs are very durable and will not be affected by water, wind, heat or cold. Designs will always still be there attached whether it was printed today or even hundreds o years ago. Although on the more expensive side of things, plastic catalogs may be the best material to use for your catalogs especially if you plan to use them for a very long amount of time.
That should be what you need to know in terms of catalog protection. Hopefully using any of the items above should help you out in creating nice long lasting color catalogs that can last the test of time.
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Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.
