Tech Talk: What Does "Finishing" Mean in Printing?

When you’re printing materials in your office—whether it’s from a copier, an office printer, or a production printer—you’re probably focused on the content and layout. But there’s one important step that takes your print job from basic to professional: finishing. Finishing includes everything that happens after the ink hits the paper, like stapling, folding, binding, or trimming. These final touches not only improve the look of your documents, but also make them easier to handle, distribute, and present.

What Is Finishing?

Finishing includes everything that happens after your document is printed. It’s the final stage where sheets of paper become polished, functional materials—ready to hand off to a client, mail out to prospects, or distribute to your team.

Real-World Examples of Finishing

Let’s say you’re printing a training manual on your office copier. You’ll likely want it hole-punched, maybe bound, and possibly even laminated for durability. That’s finishing. Or if you’re running high-volume marketing materials through a production printer, finishing options might include folding, trimming, or saddle-stitching to give your pieces a clean, professional look—especially when you’re producing in bulk.

Even standard office printers—and some entry-level production printers—offer light finishing capabilities like duplex printing, collating, or stapling. These small touches can save your team valuable time and make everyday documents look more polished.

Pro tip: Make sure your print driver is properly configured to enable advanced finishing features. A misconfigured print driver can limit your finishing options—even if your device is capable of much more.

Finishing and First Impressions

Documents that are finished properly don’t just look better—they’re easier to use, share, and store. Whether it’s a sales packet, an internal report, or a direct mailer, the way your materials are put together affects how your audience perceives your business.

And when you’re working with a managed print provider, you’re not just getting access to the right machines—you’re getting expert guidance on which finishing options make the most sense for your job.

What to Remember

Finishing isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the difference between a basic printout and a piece of communication that’s ready to represent your business. Not sure what your printer is capable of? Whether you’re using an office printer or need production-level output, we help Texas businesses get the most out of their equipment—start to finish.