Online Printing Blog | Kevin Evans

The meaning of the word collate is to collect, arrange and assemble in a specific order of sequence. In printing terminology, it is to assemble multiple sheets or parts together to create a set. Collating is most commonly used in the preparation of booklets, catalogs, manuals & collated color copies.

What does collate mean?

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What is the Difference Between Collated and Uncollated Copies?

What is the difference between collated and uncollated copies Alternately, uncollated would mean the opposite. To print uncollated would be to print copies of multiple sheets separately and not assembled in any order. So, if you have a document with 3 sheets of paper, each sheet would not be combined or assembled together with the others to make a set.

In the printing world, the terms collate and uncollated are often used when discussing the specifications of a print job. If you have a document that includes multiple pages, it is important to understand the difference between these two terms before submitting your project for print.

You can order your collated or uncollated printing online at for fast, easy & affordable printing services. You can also sign up for a that will be delivered to your door that includes samples of products, papers and finishes.

Collate Printing

Collate printing is the action of taking multiple different printed pages and putting them together into a complete set. Collating is most common with color copies, as the copies can be collated without being bound together. On the other hand, collating is also common in the process of making booklets, catalogs, magazines and any other type of multi-page product.

The most common types of binding for collated copies are , , .

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Not All Bound Printing is Collated

There are some instances in which you may want to have a product bound together but not collated. An example in which you have product bound together but not collated would be Notepads. Notepads are usually in sets of 25, 50 or 100 sheets but each sheet consists of the same printing. The sheets of paper are bound together with a padding compound at the top of the product. The sheets can then be easily ripped away from the pad when needed.

PrintingCenterUSA Specializes in Notepad Printing:
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Printing Uncollated Has Its Uses, Too.

Printing uncollated has its uses, too If your print document is a flyer, poster, fact sheet, brochure or some other type of single print out, it may be more useful to print uncollated. Your print file might contain 5 pages that explain 5 different types of products that you will be promoting at a booth, conference, convention or trade show. Having your flyers arranged by product would make it easier to target your customer's interests. This same idea also makes sense for handling print documents for business presentations, classroom lectures and more.

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There are many reasons why you might want to print something either collated or uncollated, bound or unbound. It’s your project and any online printing shop will help you achieve your end goal. The good news is that choosing to print collated or uncollated usually does not have an effect on the overall price of your print job. It's a decision of convenience - not money!

PrintingCenterUSA is happy to answer any questions you have about collating your next printing project. Give us a call at or .

Here is a quick guide on how to start any online postcard printing & mailing campaign. Utilize some of the direct mail strategies discussed below and you will increase the ROI on your next marketing campaign.

1. Identify Who You Are & Who You're Targeting

Before spending your postcard marketing money, realize who it is you are targeting for new business. For many businesses, there are certain demographics that tend to do business with you. First, find out and identify what type of customer you like doing business with. Second, find out what demographics like doing business with you. When you have that information, you can design your postcard to specifically target those demographics. Also, you can purchase a mailing list specific to your needs as well.

Our Recommendation: Find out what type of customer you like doing business with, and what type of customer likes doing business with you.

2. Results Matter

Many times people look for the least expensive way to get their message into their customers' hands, without really understanding how that message resonates with that person. Trying to get your costs down by a few pennies per piece doing the smallest available mailer, in most cases is actually more expensive when you look at your return. Small postcards get buried among larger mail pieces and often times are discarded without even a glance from the recipient.

Our Recommendation: Distribute your marketing budget over several campaigns. Change the size, change the offers and make each piece unique. Use the one with the best results, and separate that into a few different options and repeat the process.

3. Use What You Already Have

Sometimes people don't know what offers to put on their postcards. Sometimes they are unsure how the customer or prospect will react to an offer. That can only be found through experience, and from trial and error. Keep one thing in mind, promote what you are already doing. If you give free estimates, let them know. If you are a landscaping company that mows lawns, and with the lawn being mowed you also edge the grass for free, say it. Just think about all the perks you are already giving your current customers on a daily basis, and focus on them first. If your current customers like it, your prospects will too.

Our Recommendation: List all the perks you already give to your current customers and focus on them. For new offers, test, make adjustments, test, and make adjustments.

4. Don't Be Cheap On the Design

It's amazing how much of a difference it makes to your return by simply letting a professional graphic designer put together artwork in a way that is up to date and catches people's attention. You may get cheap postcard printing using our website, but the design needs to be high resolution and eye-catching to get a return. Many times people try to do it themselves using a sub grade program to do so, and what you end up with is what most people would call junk mail. For a low price, your artwork can be created by a professional and will help keep your message from going into the recycling bin.

Our Recommendation: The money you will spend to have a professional design your piece will be very little cost compared to the increased return you get for your campaign.

5. To Sell or Not to Sell, That Is the Question

For most people, the immediate instinct is to have offers on their mailer and watch the orders come in. For more sophisticated marketers, they realize the job of the mailer may not be to sell product, but it may be used to identify a prospect for future business.

Our Recommendation: Add a call-to-action to your postcard that gets the prospect to go to your website, visit your store or follow up with your company. For example, you can have an offer on your postcard, but send them to your website to claim the prize.

Here at PrintingCenterUSA we offer high quality, nationwide postcard printing and mailing services at affordable prices, on time, every time. If you want vibrant color photos, fast and easy ordering, great customer service and a satisfaction guarantee, click the button below to print your postcards online or give us a call at !