REPORTS

How to make your Report work better for you

 Use eye catching cover design

 Provide clear, well organised content with simple, logical internal page layouts

 Use eye catching images to highlight key messages

 Seek advice about the best print style options to ensure the most appropriate and cost

effective option for your organisation

ExcitePrint’s fast, responsive service will deliver your Annual Report professionally, reliably and on

the tightest of deadlines.

Popular styles

Perfect Bound soft cover book

Stapled booklet

Wirebound book

Binding Options

There are several choices in book binding. Your selection should consider budget, time frame, size of book, number of pages, function and the appearance you prefer – taking into account function and target audience.

Options include

• Saddlestitch (stapled on the fold)
• Wire bind
• Perfect bind (as seen in paperback books)
• Plastic Comb bind
• Hardback (case) bind
• Plastic Ring Binder (with or without insert covers)

Booklets

Workhorses of many businesses, booklets can grow sales or deliver your service effectively and with flair. Think

• Sales Brochures
• Catalogues
• Guidebooks
• Reports
• Event Promotions
• Instruction Manuals

Any of these can be produced in an almost endless variety of shapes, sizes and formats. Choose carefully to ensure most functional format for your users, and best value for money.

Preparation is the key. What is the purpose of your booklet, what message or information are you disseminating, and who is it aimed at? It’s important to design for purpose, budget and method of distribution.

5 Biggest Booklet Blunders

Booklet printing can be fraught with problems if you’re don’t follow the correct processes. Get advice before you start, so you avoid these:

1. Blank pages – if your booklet is saddlestitched (stapled in the fold) your page count will be in four page increments. Make sure you’ve checked your final page count, and if it’s not a multiple of 4, decide where you want blank pages to occur.
2. Too much information – this applies particularly to marketing collateral. There’s always a temptation if there are 2 or 3 pages left to add a bit more fluff. Resist the temptation. Keep your content concise and to the point. That way it’s much more likely to grab the reader’s attention.
3. Colourless – Full colour printing has a huge amount more impact. Even in functional booklets, use of some colour images or diagrams will enhance the power of your message.
4. Small orders – when you order booklets, find out where the price breaks occur. You may find a small increase in your order will greatly improve the unit price.
5. Proofs – don’t rush the proof reading process. It’s easy for errors to slip through the cracks when you’re proofing a multipage document. Print yourself a hard copy of all electronic proofs and get at least 2 people to check them. And when you order, ask for a digitally printed proof of the final layout to be included in the price. Having the final product in your hands can often give new perspectives, and is another opportunity to ensure the content is exactly as expected.

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