When people think about printing, they often picture the output from the device itself—pages, posters, mailers, or booklets coming off the machine. But what happens after the printing is just as important. That final stage is where finishing systems come in. These tools transform printed sheets into polished, durable, and ready-to-use materials that look professional and hold up to real-world handling.

What are finishing systems?

Finishing systems include any equipment that completes or enhances a print job after the ink has hit the page. These tools handle tasks such as cutting, folding, organizing, binding, coating, or adding structure to printed materials. In many environments—especially high-volume or quality-driven ones—finishing is essential to achieving consistent, production-ready results.

Common types of finishing equipment

Businesses use different finishing tools depending on the type and volume of work they produce. Some of the most common include:

• Collators: Automatically organize printed pages into the correct order.
• Booklet makers: Create folded, stapled, or saddle-stitched booklets.
• Creasers: Add flexible creases that prevent cracking on thicker stocks.
• Cutters and trimmers: Produce clean, precise edges for flyers, cards, and marketing materials.
• Folders: Create consistent folds for brochures, letters, and mailers.
• Slitters: Trim and separate printed pieces into multiple smaller items.
• UV coaters: Apply a glossy or matte protective coating to enhance durability and appearance.

These tools can work as stand-alone machines or as integrated components in a complete production workflow.

Why finishing matters

Finishing systems take printed output from “good enough” to professional-grade. Benefits include:

• Durability: Coating, trimming, and proper folding help materials withstand handling.
• Presentation quality: Crisp edges, clean folds, and bound booklets look polished and brand-ready.
• Speed and efficiency: Automated finishing eliminates manual tasks that slow down production.
• Consistency: Every piece comes out uniform, which is critical for marketing, sales, and customer-facing materials.

For businesses producing recurring materials—training packets, booklets, mailers, catalogs, signage—a finishing system improves both quality and workflow.

Who relies on finishing systems?

A wide range of industries benefit from in-house finishing tools, including:

• Marketing and design teams producing branded collateral
• Schools and universities creating handouts, booklets, and event materials
• Corporate offices with in-house print centers
• Production and commercial print environments requiring scale and precision
• Real estate, healthcare, and nonprofits that frequently print client-facing documents

How EBP supports print-and-finish workflows

Electronic Business Products helps businesses evaluate which finishing systems fit their print goals, space, and volume. Whether you need a single finisher or a fully integrated production setup, EBP ensures your team has the tools to produce professional materials efficiently and consistently.

Ready to enhance your print output? Contact EBP to explore finishing systems that elevate your in-house printing.