The Print University header

Introduction to Finishing: Finishing for Wide Format

Introduction to Finishing: Finishing for Wide Format

Wide Format Finishing – Episode Summary

In this practical and visual episode of The Print University, Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee explore the wide-format finishing landscape—where finishing methods go beyond cutting and binding to include laminating, mounting, contour cutting, stitching, and welding. If you’re training new hires with printing industry training programs for new employees or teaching advanced operators through bindery equipment training courses, this course equips teams to prepare signage and display graphics for real-world environments.

Wide-format finishing supports diverse applications: banners, trade show displays, building wraps, vehicle graphics, and rigid signs. Each piece may need to be laminated for durability, mounted to foam core or structures, or cut into custom shapes using flatbed, laser, or rotary cutters. Stitching and welding—more commonly associated with textiles or industrial signage—are used to seal edges, create pockets for poles, or join large panels into one seamless piece.

The episode breaks down finishing choices by environment (indoor vs. outdoor), install method (frame, stand, grommets), and purpose (temporary promo vs. long-term display). From vehicle wraps to feather flags, wide-format jobs are judged not only by how they print—but how they hold up over time.

Ryan and Pat also highlight finishing as a revenue opportunity: upcharging for stitching, custom mounting, reinforced edges, and even on-site installation services. Finishing in this segment requires creativity, physicality, and a deep understanding of materials.

You Will Learn:

  • Core wide-format finishing processes: laminating, mounting, contour cutting, stitching, welding

  • Equipment used: flatbed cutters, heat welders, rotary trimmers, tabletop laminators

  • Design and install considerations: grommets, pole pockets, gussets, fray protection

  • Business opportunity: upselling finishing, customization, and installation services

  • Finishing challenges: scale, substrate diversity, manual handling, and job complexity

Who This Course Is For:

Wide-format press operators, finishing technicians, install crews, signage designers, and production leads building bindery equipment training courses, digital printing press training, or exploring outsourced training for print production staff

Time to Watch:

Approx. 30 minutes