There is no technical limit to the number of colours that can be printed. Beyond the classical CMYK a fifth colour is often used (for companies'logos, for instance, which are often printed with a pantone colour so as to guarantee a stable chromatic result). By the way, printing technology can print up to 10 colours with no problem whatsoever.

Not at all! There are different kinds of ecologic papers. FSC papers, for instance, are absolutely normal papers. A change occurs is the way the forest is managed. There are FSC papers of the highest quality, even higher than "normal" papers.

GECA Spa is one of the few Italian printing houses with FSC certification. FSC paper is paper deriving from forests managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards. GECA`s certification allows our clients choosing this kind of paper to put FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo on their product, so as to give the utmost visibility to their choice regarding environment´s defence. GECA also uses other ecologic papers, such as recycled or chlorine-free papers.

There are various kinds of paper. The most typical classification divides them into coated and offset papers. Coated papers, that can be both glossy or matt, are suitable to highlight the images´ reflexes, nuances, details. Offset papers give, on the contrary, an effect of “warmth”. They are especially advisable for printing text-only books, since their readability is very good. A further distinction is between white and ivory papers. Among white papers we find extra white papers and less and less white papers until ivory papers, characterised by an ivory coloration. Ivory papers are suitable for printing novels (sometimes also offset ivory papers) and institutional publications such as companies´ brochures or balances (coated ivory papers). In any case, paper choice is very personal and depends on many factors: graphics characteristic, publication´s target, budget at disposal etc.

Too thin a paper might have an excessive transparency effect which would result in showing the print on the back sheet. In some case this is not a problem, in some other this may compromise readability. An excessive paper weight could have some negative occurrence, maybe not in printability but surely on the ability to be handled during bindery processes. In case of works requiring one of more folds, over 250 gr. crease might be necessary in order to have perfect folds. Crease might have a great effect on costs. Our printing machines can by the way print sheets up to a weight of 500 gr.

The only aspect it can influence is the bindery. Stitch is only possible if foliation does not affect stitch closure in a negative way. In such cases only softcover is possible.

It has the aim to achieve aesthetic effects and to protect paper. Varnish, especially if applied on particular spots (title, logo, a photo etc), results in a highlight of the varnished spot thus letting it emerge from the rest of the printed sheet. Varnish, moreover, allows a minor risk of dirtiness.

Yes, since small variations in the finished format can modify the print sheet´s imposition, thus determining an increase or decrease in the wasted paper quantity. The least the waste, the minor the cost of paper is.

Pros: lamination results in a higher paper resistance and prevents a fast damage (wet, dirty, lacerations etc) and furthermore it can also produce a positive aesthetic effect.

There are some colours called "pantone". They are special colours, identified by a name or number and a fixed mix of the fundamental colours. In general, pantone colours are used for companies´ logos, or for institutional colours (those that can never change). They are also used to achieve particular effects, for instance by using a golden or silver ink.