Chapter Two
Professional Printing
Lithographic and digital printing, proofing, imposition, colour management and computer-to-plate.
Next chapter in productionGlenside Print Resource Centre
Straight answers from nearly two centuries in print.
Practical guidance on artwork, colour, paper, print production and finishing - written from the pressroom, not copied from a manual.
Explore the library
Knowledge built through five generations
Start with the fundamentals, then explore professional production, finishing, design resources and printing heritage.
01
Print Fundamentals
Bleed, colour, resolution, paper and the essentials of print-ready artwork.
02Professional Printing
Lithographic, digital, colour management, proofing and computer-to-plate.
03Print Finishing
Binding, folding, laminating, foiling, die cutting, creasing and perforating.
04Design Resources
Templates, PDF export, Canva, Adobe, Affinity and practical artwork checks.
05Print Heritage
The tools, methods and knowledge that shaped generations of printers.
06Ask a Master Printer
Clear answers to the questions customers ask us every working week.
Featured article
Pantone® PMS Spot Colours Explained
Why professional printers still rely on the Pantone Matching System when an exact brand colour matters.
A Pantone guide is more than a colour chart. It is the common language shared by designers, printers and customers when colour must be consistent from one print run to the next.
Read the full articleChapter One
Print Fundamentals
The subjects that prevent most artwork problems before a job ever reaches the press.
Bleed, Trim & Safe Area
Why 3mm bleed matters and where important text and logos should sit.
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RGB vs CMYK
Why bright screen colours can change when they are converted for print.
Read article →Pantone® PMS Spot Colours
When a genuine mixed ink is worth using and why consistency matters.
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Image Resolution
Why a picture can look sharp on screen but still print badly.
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Paper Weights Explained
What GSM means and how to choose a paper that suits the job.
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Coated vs Uncoated
How the paper surface changes colour, detail, feel and writing performance.
Read article →Chapter Three
Print Finishing
Binding, folding, laminating, foiling, die cutting, numbering, creasing and perforating.
Next chapter in productionChapter Four
Design Resources
Templates, PDF export settings and practical guidance for Canva, Adobe and Affinity users.
Expanding soonChapter Five
Print Heritage
From metal type and process cameras to Macintosh and computer-to-plate.
Linked to the Glenside ArchiveAsk a Master Printer
Questions from the counter
Real questions, answered plainly and without unnecessary jargon.
Why does my black look grey?
A single black ink can appear weak across a large solid area. A carefully built rich black may be better, but it must suit the printing process and the job.
Why are my photographs blurry?
Usually because the original image does not contain enough detail at the size it is being printed. Enlarging a small image stretches pixels rather than creating detail.
Should I choose lithographic or digital printing?
It depends on quantity, turnaround, colour requirements and the type of job. At Glenside we use both and choose the route that makes practical and financial sense.
From the Pressroom
Printing has changed enormously over nearly two centuries. One thing has not - every job deserves the same care, attention and craftsmanship, whether it is one business card or one hundred thousand brochures.
Jonathan Glyn Davies
Need advice on a printing project?
Every job is different. Tell us what you are trying to produce and we will help you choose the most practical route.