⏱️ Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Getting Your Booklet or Magazine Printed in London: Where to Start?
If you’ve ever faced the challenge of printing a booklet, report, or magazine, you’ll know it’s not just about pushing a button. There’s quite a bit to think through — from picking the right paper to deciding on binding styles and finishes. With so many choices on the market, it can easily feel like too much.
That’s why we’ve put together a straightforward guide to help you make sense of the printing process without the usual headaches. Whether it’s a corporate report or a creative magazine, we’ll walk you through some key tips and insights, plus share how Newstyle Print in London supports you every step of the way.
Top Tips for Printing Booklets, Reports and Magazines
1. Think About Your Paper Weight and Finish
Paper weight is usually measured in GSM (grams per square metre), and it significantly impacts the tactile feel of your final product. For instance, pages that are too thin might feel flimsy and wear out quickly, especially if the booklet will be handled often. Typically, something around 130-170gsm works well for the inner pages, while a heavier cover stock—say 250-350gsm—adds durability and a sense of quality.
If you’re after something that stands out a bit more, finishes like matt lamination or soft-touch coatings lend a smooth, almost velvety texture that tends to impress readers. On the flip side, gloss finishes boost colour vibrancy and make images pop, but they can also attract fingerprints and glare, which might not be ideal for all uses.
It’s not always easy to decide on the right paper weight or finish, especially with so many options. If you’re uncertain, just reach out to Newstyle Print — we’re happy to offer tailored advice based on your project’s goals and budget.
2. Decide on Binding Early
Binding is more than just holding pages together — it affects how your booklet opens, how durable it is, and even how readers interact with it. For shorter booklets—something up to 48 pages—stapled (or saddle-stitched) binding is a straightforward choice. It’s cost-effective and neat, but it doesn’t work well for thicker publications.
For anything heftier, like magazines or reports with more pages, perfect binding is often preferred. It produces a flat, square spine that looks professional and holds up well over time. Then there’s wire binding (sometimes called wiro binding), which is handy for manuals or workbooks because it allows the booklet to lie completely flat when open — which can be a real plus if users need to write in them or reference them hands-free.
3. Mind Your Colours and Artwork Setup
One detail that trips up a lot of people is colour. Screens display colours using RGB (red, green, blue), but printers use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). This difference means colours on your screen may not match exactly what comes out of the press. Providing your artwork in CMYK and reviewing proofs carefully helps avoid surprises.
Also, don’t forget bleed — that’s an extra margin, usually about 3mm, where images or backgrounds extend beyond the page edge. Without bleed, trimming can leave unwanted white borders. If you’re unsure about your files or bleed setup, Newstyle Print offers free artwork checks to catch these issues before printing begins.
4. Plan Your Quantities
Ordering a larger print run generally lowers the cost per copy, but you don’t want to end up with more booklets than you can use. Think realistically about how many copies you’ll distribute right away and whether you might need extras down the line.
If you’re only after a small batch or need a quick turnaround, digital printing is a great option — it’s flexible and fast, although sometimes at a slightly higher per-unit cost. For bigger volumes, litho (offset) printing usually offers better colour consistency and value.
5. Consider Sustainability
More clients these days are asking about eco-friendly printing options, and it’s easier than ever to be green without sacrificing quality. Using recycled paper stocks and vegetable-based inks reduces environmental impact significantly.
At Newstyle Print, we provide various recycled paper choices for booklets and magazines. That way, you don’t have to compromise professionalism for sustainability — you can have both.
6. Proof Before You Print
There’s a real comfort in holding a physical proof and knowing everything looks just right. Ask your printer for a proof copy or a digital proof to spot any last-minute errors or tweaks before the full run starts.
We’ve seen plenty of customers save both time and money by catching mistakes early on — it’s a small step that pays off big.
A Quick Case Example: Corporate Report Printing in London
Recently, we worked with a charity in London on printing their 60-page annual report. They wanted something clean and professional but also wanted to keep their environmental impact low.
We helped them pick a 150gsm recycled paper for the inside pages and a 300gsm recycled stock for the cover, finished with a soft-touch matt lamination for a subtle, elegant feel. Perfect binding gave the report a polished look. We also took extra care to check their artwork files for correct bleed and colour accuracy, and provided a printed proof before the full order went to press.
The client was thrilled with the end result — they especially liked the feel of the paper and the print quality — and appreciated the reassurance of reducing their carbon footprint.
Wrapping Up Your Printing Project
Printing booklets, reports, or magazines in London doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. With some planning around paper choices, binding, and artwork setup, you can end up with a professional product that really stands out.
If you want advice on printing, we’re always happy to help — and yes, that free artwork check is included.
⭐ 4.9/5 Google Rating · 10+ Years in Business · Free Delivery UK-Wide
Updated on 17 January 2026
Ready to print? Contact Newstyle Print for a fast quote today.
Call 01572 771377 or email hello@newstyleprint.co.uk
Get a quote »
