Looking for a product that showcases your individual products with a consistent theme and design? When clients had a product that is sold `hung’, or has a differing product in a `sub’ category, a scored cards with a drill or hole punch is what the client requires. At MVP, we do PLENTY of these, from people selling plant bulbs to those selling screws and tool parts. If it hangs, we can help!
Scoring / Creasing
A `Score’ is effectively and indentation in the stock (paper) that makes it easy to fold the product. Scoring can be done many different ways, predominately depending on how long the Print Run is and how many Scores are required on and individual product. For example, if you have a longer print run (in excess of 2000), we would typically cylinder your print job. If the job is smaller, we would utilse our bindery staff to `hand-score’ the product. Why would we do these differently? Time – to set up the cylinder for a scoring run takes significant labour (see below, similar to die-cutting), whereas a hand score can easily be set up and we can hit the ground running. Hand scoring is ineffective over a long run due to the manual labour element. After a while the machine speed overtakes the man (or woman!) For a product with multi scores on the card, this would either be done through our Horizon scorer which can entertain more than one in a single pass. If it is fancier than that (cross scores, shaped scored etc, its time for die-cutting – see below to learn more.
Can I choose what sort of Hole to use?
Typically, and most cost effectively, a round hole drill will give you a product that is easier to produce, and as such it will cost less than a `shaped hole’. With a round hole, the most common sizes are 3mm, 5mm, 6mm and 10mm diameter – why are these cheaper than shaped hole? It’s a far simpler process. A hole drill is easy to set up and produce. With a shaped product or hole, this is an entirely different kettle of fish (called `Die-Cutting).
A shaped product, or Die-Cut product has considerable set up (and in some cases, considerable extra cost). Once the shape is established, we need to produce a die-block in the required shape. These can vary in price.. as a general rule, the more intricate the design, the higher the price is. Once the block is produced, we then apply it to the printed stock (or unprinted, in some cases), correct the registration and effectively `punch’ out the shape that is desired. Once done, the outer waste is removed (and recycled) and the flat finished product is produced.
Size of Scored Products
The really is no `Set’ size when it comes to a hanger or scored tag. Generic sizes are always the best, as they have the least waste in a print (press) sheet and as such you get more `bang for your buck’ when it comes to square meterage verses cost. Saying that, more often than not generic sizes are not used when produced for this application. This is predominately due to our clients product size. The hanger needs to align to the size – not point having a massive hanger if you are selling a bag with a couple of screws in it! The product dictates the size, and this is easily catered to .. all we need to do is trim it to your design specifications.
Paper Stock for Scored Products
Some clients fall into the trap of trying to order thinner products for their printed hangers… a big no-no. You need a sturdy, high grammage board to be used. It must be durable, and strong enough to handle the load of your product. We recommend at LEAST 250gsm Stock weight for this, and most typically 300gsm as it is a popular product line and we buy in bulk at a good rate. You can go to 350gsm Heavyweight stock if you like, or even 400gsm. Pricing can be found here but if you require a custom quote on these stock weights or please contact us here. Additionally, you can have a laminate (Gloss, Matt or Velvet) if you really want to go ultra cool and professional, with the added bonus of this strengthening your product. Again, if you need specific pricing on this type of hanger please email us here and a fast, competitive quote will come back to you.
Effects of different printing (Digital & Offset) on Scored Products
This is important. Most people (aside from those in the Print Industry, Graphic designers and Print Brokers) know the intricacies of the difference between Digital and Offset Printing, particularly when it comes to scoring the goods. In short – Offset is known as lithographic printing, and uses Ink. Digital uses Toner, and is designed for shorter print runs. Digital printing has evolved and expanded significantly in the last decade (Ricoh in particular have been innovative) to make short run printing as good a quality as offset printing.
So what does this mean when it comes to a scored product? Digital print, with toner, sits on top of the paper. Offset, with Ink, sinks into the paper. As such, with a digital print, particularly with heavy colours (Blues, Blacks etc), you may get some cracking (or `Bursting’). This is unavoidable if you are doing a short print run and you have a design with a lot of colour in it. There are, however, several ways to get around this. The easiest is to keep any Artwork away from the score! If you do have Artwork in the crease, you can add a laminate to protect the print when scoring, or you can request a specific Offset run (although this is more expensive on short runs). Best bet is to design your Artwork knowing this, and you will get the best possible product at the most competitive price.
Want to start designing the perfect, eye-catching swing tags? Be sure to contact us today at MVP Print. We are an Australian owned and operated company that provide premium quality printing services across the country with a fast turnaround.
