From file to finished job: the machines a print shop needs
A step-by-step guide to printing, cutting, folding and binding, the machine that does each job, and how to ask for a quotation.
What machine are you looking for?
Type a machine name or a step of the work.
- Computer-to-plate system
- Offset press
- Flexo press
- Digital press
- Laminating machine
- UV coating machine
- Guillotine cutter
- Die-cutting machine
- Folder-gluer
- Paper folding machine
- Perfect binder
- Saddle stitcher
No match yet. Tell us what you need and we will help. Get a quote
Printing & converting machines
Step 1: Prepress
Computer-to-plate system
Writes the page image straight from the computer onto printing plates with a laser, with no film in between.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 2: Printing
Offset press
Transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket and then onto paper, giving sharp, even print for books, posters and cartons.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 2: Printing
Flexo press
Prints from flexible relief plates onto film, foil, paper and corrugated board, often roll to roll for packaging.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 2: Printing
Digital press
Prints straight from a file without plates, which suits short runs and jobs where every copy is different.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 3: Coating and laminating
Laminating machine
Bonds a thin plastic film onto printed sheets with heat or adhesive, for shine, strength and water resistance.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 3: Coating and laminating
UV coating machine
Spreads a clear varnish over printed sheets and cures it instantly under ultraviolet lamps.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 4: Cutting and die-cutting
Guillotine cutter
A heavy straight blade that cuts tall stacks of paper square and to size.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 4: Cutting and die-cutting
Die-cutting machine
Presses a shaped steel-rule die onto printed board to cut and crease carton blanks.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 5: Folding and gluing
Folder-gluer
Folds die-cut carton blanks along their creases and glues the seams, delivering flat cartons ready to fill.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 6: Binding
Paper folding machine
Folds printed sheets into sections or leaflets with buckle plates or knives, many sheets a minute.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 6: Binding
Perfect binder
Gathers the sections of a book, roughens the spine, glues it and wraps on the cover.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machineStep 6: Binding
Saddle stitcher
Drapes folded sheets over a saddle, staples them through the fold and trims them into booklets or magazines.
Availability subject to feasibility check
Request this machine
How a print job moves through the shop
The main steps from a print-ready file to finished work, and the type of machine that usually does each one. Cartons end at folding and gluing; books and notebooks end at binding.
Prepress
The artwork is checked, and each colour is imaged onto its own printing plate.
Machines at this step: Computer-to-plate system
Printing
Offset presses print sheets of paper and board, flexo presses print labels and film from the roll, and digital presses print short runs without plates.
Machines at this step: Offset press, Flexo press, Digital press
Coating and laminating
Printed sheets are coated or laminated with film to protect them and give a gloss or matt finish.
Machines at this step: Laminating machine, UV coating machine
Cutting and die-cutting
Stacks of paper are trimmed to size, and carton shapes are cut and creased with a steel-rule die.
Machines at this step: Guillotine cutter, Die-cutting machine
Folding and gluing
Die-cut blanks are folded and glued into flat cartons, ready to be filled on a packing line.
Machines at this step: Folder-gluer
Binding
Printed sheets for books and notebooks are folded into sections, gathered in order and bound.
Machines at this step: Paper folding machine, Perfect binder, Saddle stitcher
Filling the cartons you print?
See the machines that fill, seal, label and box products on a packing line.