The mystery of ordering print

Sometimes it’s a minefield when ordering print. Here is some information which may help you when deciding on a specification that will enable the printer to give you a more accurate quotation and ensure that when your print job arrives it is what you ordered. Over the next few months articles will feature other aspects of ordering print and explain some of the “jargon” that is used which we hope will make your life a little easier.

Paper sizes

Even though you can stipulate any size of finished print there are standard sizes of  paper and board manufactured. The main range of sizes of paper, is the A series range which are the  ISO approved paper sizes.

The key feature of this paper size is that A4 is half the size of A3, which in turn is half the size of A2 and so on up to A0 which is the largest in the range.

Finished size

A1  840 x 594

A2  594 x 420

A3  420 x 297

A4  297 x 210

A5  210 x 148

A6  148 x 105

A7  105 x 74

The trimmed finished  sizes are  based on standard A series sheet size,  but the printer buys a slightly larger version called the SRA series to allow for trims and bleed.

Paper Folding

Here is a guide to some popular paper folds.

Landscape = long edge at the base

Portrait      = short edge at the base

Page          =  a single side of the paper size     (i.e. a piece of A4 paper folded in half will be a 4 page A5)

Gms  or Gm2        =  Grams per square metre

Mic           =   Micron thickness

Weights and thicknesses of paper

Paper thickness is described in grams per square metre up to 200g  thereafter it is referred to as board which is described in grams and microns. To find out the thickness of board you will need a micrometer or ask your printer to send a sample.

Next month we will be describing the mysteries of printing colours and how to order self adhesive on- roll labels.