How Digital Print Finishing Can Help Commercial Printers Save Time and Reduce Costs

For commercial printers, producing high-quality printed materials is only part of the process. Once a job comes off the press, finishing can have a major impact on its appearance, functionality, production time, and overall cost.

From laminating and foil stamping to die-cutting, embossing, mounting, and tabbing, the right finishing techniques can turn an ordinary printed piece into a professional, ready-to-use product.

However, traditional finishing processes can sometimes add additional labor, handling, and production time. This is where efficient digital print finishing solutions can make a difference.

By combining efficient printing workflows with the right finishing processes and materials, commercial printers can improve production efficiency while delivering finished products that meet customer expectations.

Digital print finishing refers to the processes performed after printing to give a printed piece its final appearance, structure, or functionality.

Depending on the project, finishing may include:

• Laminating
• Foil stamping
• Embossing
• Engraving
• Die-cutting
• Letterpress
• Tabbing
• Taping
• Mounting
• Turning-edge binding

For commercial printers, these processes can be used across a wide range of applications, including marketing materials, business cards, packaging, displays, signage, folders, and other printed products.

REDI-Products’ parent company, OLP Print Finishing, provides commercial print finishing services and offers these capabilities for printers looking to add specialized finishing to their projects.

Printing creates the foundation of a project, but finishing can determine how the final product looks and performs.

A well-finished printed piece can:

• Improve durability
• Create a more professional appearance
• Add texture and visual interest
• Improve functionality
• Protect printed surfaces
• Help printed materials stand out

For commercial printers managing multiple projects and tight deadlines, efficient finishing can also help reduce unnecessary handling and production delays.

1. Save Production Time

One of the biggest challenges for commercial printers is completing jobs efficiently while maintaining quality.

Every additional production step requires time for setup, handling, inspection, and completion.

Efficient finishing solutions can simplify these processes and help printers move jobs through production more smoothly.

Products such as pre-perforated and pre-scored materials can also reduce the amount of manual work required during finishing. REDI-Perf products are designed to provide clean, consistent separation while supporting efficient digital printing workflows.

For example, printers can use pre-perforated paper when producing forms, tickets, tags, cards, and other applications where individual pieces need to be separated after printing.

2. Reduce Manual Labor

Manual cutting, folding, separating, and assembling printed materials can require significant employee time—especially when producing large quantities.

Using the appropriate finishing materials and processes can reduce repetitive manual tasks.

This allows production teams to focus on other important areas of the workflow while maintaining consistent finished results.

For commercial printers handling recurring or short-run projects, reducing unnecessary manual intervention can make production more efficient.

3. Improve the Finished Product

Finishing isn’t only about speed. It can also significantly improve the appearance and functionality of printed materials.

For example:

• Laminating can add protection and durability.
• Foil stamping can create a premium appearance.
• Embossing can add dimension and texture.
• Die-cutting can create custom shapes.
• Mounting can provide additional structure.
• Letterpress can create a distinctive tactile effect.

Choosing the right finishing technique allows printers to create materials that are better suited to their customers’ specific applications.

4. Make Short-Run Projects More Practical

Digital printing has made it easier for businesses to produce customized and shorter print runs.

However, the finishing process still needs to be efficient enough to make those projects practical.

This is particularly important for applications where customers need:

• Customized marketing materials
• Limited quantities
• Variable designs
• Personalized products
• Quick-turnaround projects

Combining digital printing with efficient finishing can help commercial printers respond to these requirements without treating every job like a traditional long-run production project.

5. Add More Value to Your Printing Services

Print finishing can also give commercial printers more opportunities to provide value-added services.

Instead of delivering a basic printed piece, printers can offer customers finished products with additional functionality, durability, or visual appeal.

This can include everything from laminated materials and custom-cut pieces to embossed cards, mounted displays, and professionally finished folders.

By offering more finishing options, printers can potentially differentiate their services and meet a broader range of customer requirements.

The best finishing method depends on the application, material, quantity, equipment, and desired final result.

Before selecting a finishing process, consider:

What is the final application?
A retail display may require mounting or laminating, while a premium business card may benefit from foil stamping or embossing.

How many pieces are needed?
Short-run projects may require different finishing considerations than high-volume production.

What level of durability is required?
Materials that will be frequently handled or displayed may benefit from protective finishing.

How quickly does the project need to be completed?
For time-sensitive projects, efficient finishing processes and ready-to-use materials can help reduce production delays.

REDI-Products was developed from decades of practical experience in the print finishing industry. The company began offering its own product line in 2008 after identifying opportunities to help printers and display manufacturers improve time and cost efficiency.

Today, REDI-Products provides solutions designed around the practical needs of commercial printers, print finishers, and POP designers.

Its product range can help printers simplify different stages of production while maintaining professional results.

For projects requiring specialized finishing beyond standard printing, OLP Print Finishing provides capabilities including laminating, foil stamping, embossing, engraving, die-cutting, letterpress, tabbing, taping, and mounting.

A few simple changes can help commercial printers improve finishing efficiency:

1. Choose materials designed for your printing process.
2. Consider pre-finished or pre-perforated materials when appropriate.
3. Reduce unnecessary manual handling.
4. Match the finishing method to the final application.
5. Plan finishing requirements before production begins.
6. Work with an experienced finishing provider for specialized projects.

The goal isn’t simply to add more finishing processes. It is to select the processes and materials that provide the greatest benefit for each individual project.

For commercial printers, efficient finishing can make a meaningful difference in production time, labor requirements, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

Whether you need pre-perforated materials for efficient separation or specialized finishing such as laminating, foil stamping, embossing, die-cutting, or mounting, choosing the right solution can help streamline your workflow and create better finished products.

With REDI-Products’ experience in the print finishing industry and OLP’s specialized finishing capabilities, printers have access to solutions designed around real production requirements.

Looking for ways to make your printing and finishing process more efficient? Explore REDI-Products’ range of print solutions or contact the team to discuss your next project.