Trade Print. Done Properly. Good Business. Done Responsibly.
Practical articles from the Flexpress Modern Trade Print Business Framework, covering automation, production discipline, customer service and responsible growth.
Featured thinking
Ideas and practical guidance for running a more efficient, responsible and modern print business.
Spot UV: The UItimate Guide
Spot UV embellishment adds a premium, tactile finish to printed designs by applying a clear gloss coating to selected areas. From business cards and folders to brochures, flyers and book covers, it creates contrast, depth and durability, helping brands make a stronger and more memorable impression.
2024 – The Flexpress Year in Summary
A look back at Flexpress highlights from 2024, together with a message of thanks to customers, partners and the wider print community.
Flexpress ‘Highly Commended’ Manufacturer of the Year
Flexpress received a Highly Commended distinction in the Manufacturer of the Year category at the 2024 IPIA Recognising Excellence Awards.
A Greener Tomorrow for the UK Print Industry
Discover how responsible materials, energy-efficient equipment and practical production choices can support a more sustainable UK print industry.
Business Cards in the Modern Marketing Mix
Explore why business cards remain valuable in modern marketing and how materials, finishes and production choices shape their impact.
Is Print Still Relevant In A Digital Age?
Print continues to offer trust, focus, creativity and a tactile experience that complements digital communication rather than competing with it.
All About Paper! Different Kinds And It’s Uses
Understand the differences between gloss, silk and uncoated paper and learn how to select the right stock for different print applications.
Exploring Embellishment Options at Flexpress
Discover how lamination, raised Spot UV, raised foil and other embellishments can add texture, contrast and value to printed products.
Why Flexpress is THE choice for Folders
Explore the design, material, printing and finishing options that make presentation folders a versatile tool for professional communication.
All About Business Card Production at Flexpress!
Follow the business card production process from artwork and digital printing through lamination, embellishment, cutting and quality control.
The Ultimate Glossary of Printing Terms
A practical glossary explaining common printing, paper, colour, finishing and binding terminology.
Choosing the Right Paper for Books and Booklets
Learn how GSM, coating, lamination, sustainability, cost and book type influence the choice of paper for books and booklets.
The Psychology of Colour in Print Marketing
Learn how colour influences attention, emotion and brand perception, and how to use it effectively in printed marketing materials.
Exploring Binding Styles for Books and Booklets
Compare saddle stitching, Wire-O, spiral, PUR perfect binding and case binding to choose the best finish for books and booklets.
The Ultimate Showdown: Litho vs Digital Printing
Understand the practical differences between lithographic and digital printing and when each process delivers the best result.
Using Automation Wisely
A reminder of the principles, capabilities and service standards that guide Flexpress as a trade-only printing partner.
Making your website work
Why web-to-print requires strategy, promotion and continuous improvement to become a dependable sales channel.
Getting it right first time
How automated artwork checks, clear education and vigilant production teams help prevent avoidable print errors.
Bespoke jobs: even more rewarding
Flexpress links bespoke quotations with online ordering so custom jobs gain the same convenient ordering and reward benefits.
Trade print, or just trade prices?
Why genuine trade-only print involves confidentiality, unbranded fulfilment, dependable quality and support—not only a low price.
Scale up. Scale down. Or stand still?
Print businesses face strategic choices around investment, outsourcing, specialisation and sustainable growth.
Boxing Clever
Why strong boxes, sensible parcel weights and careful protective packing are essential parts of reliable trade print fulfilment.
A stitch in time
Flexpress adds a Duplo 600i booklet-making system to strengthen production resilience and provide additional saddle-stitching capacity.
6 Step Plan for Growth
Economic uncertainty creates pressure across every area of a print business. Discover practical ways to manage volatility, strengthen resilience, protect profitability, and keep moving forward with confidence.
Efficient workflow planning
Flexpress is improving factory efficiency through a redesigned production layout, reduced movement, upgraded machinery, and a major internal reorganisation built around continual improvement.
Making a case for hardback books
Flexpress expands its hardback book production capacity with equipment suited to both short and longer case-bound print runs.
Top tips for your printing to arrive safely and on time
Practical steps customers and printers can take to reduce delayed, damaged or unsuccessful print deliveries.
The Host with the Most!
Flexpress hosts international DScoop guests for an HP Indigo 100K demonstration and a tour of its print operation.
When the going gets tough
How Flexpress responded to post-pandemic uncertainty by specialising, automating, investing and increasing production capacity.
New, unbeatable prices on business cards and letterheads
Flexpress announces lower prices on business cards and letterheads while retaining HP Indigo and lithographic print quality.
Raised Metallic Foil Business Cards
Flexpress introduces exclusive raised metallic foil business cards and previews foil options for additional printed products.
Even faster business cards
Flexpress announces same-day dispatch for business cards, including raised Spot UV options.
Lower Prices on our famous ‘sensory’ spot UV business cards
Flexpress lowers prices on extra-thick sensory Spot UV business cards and highlights its free sample service.
Multiple Delivery Addresses (and other exciting updates)
Flexpress adds multiple delivery addresses and other improvements to its online ordering experience.
Test your spot UV design using our new ‘test sheet’ service
Designers can test raised Spot UV artwork on a printed sheet before committing to a larger production run.
Stapled Booklets – Now 5 sizes and up to 5000 quantity!
Flexpress expands its stapled booklet range to five sizes and online quantities of up to 5,000 copies.
New product – Hanging Cards
Flexpress launches hanging cards in four styles with downloadable PDF, Illustrator and InDesign templates.
Perfect Bound Books – Now 4 sizes and up to 350pp
Flexpress expands perfect-bound books to four sizes, up to 350 pages and optional raised Spot UV covers.
New product – Shaped Leaflets & Flyers
Flexpress introduces 17 die-cut leaflet and flyer shapes with downloadable templates and next-day options.
Flexpress at The Print Show 2018
Flexpress invites customers to visit stand F64 at The Print Show 2018 at Birmingham’s NEC.
New Product – Wire-o bound books
Automated punching enables Flexpress to offer A4 and A5 Wire-O books with up to 120 pages.
New Product – Heavyweight Folded Brochures
Flexpress adds heavyweight folded brochures in multiple sizes, folds, materials, laminates and raised Spot UV options.
Take our Virtual Tour
Customers can explore the Flexpress facilities remotely through an online virtual tour.
NEW – Job Weight Calculator
Flexpress launches an online calculator for estimating the weight of books, booklets, leaflets and other printed jobs.
NEW Perfect Bound Book Spine Calculator
An online tool calculates the required spine width for perfect-bound book artwork using material and page selections.
NEW PRODUCT – Perfect Bound Books
Flexpress adds A5 and A4 perfect-bound books with online ordering, short quantities and two-day dispatch.
Coming Soon – B2 Size HP Indigo 12000
Flexpress announces the imminent installation of an HP Indigo 12000 B2 digital press.
The Print Show – A great success
Flexpress reflects on a successful appearance at The Print Show and thanks visitors to its stand.
Spot UV Business Cards & Postcards Now Available
Flexpress launches high-gloss polymer Spot UV business cards and postcards with next-day dispatch.
Flexpress – First in UK with new short-run spot UV machine.
Flexpress becomes the first UK printer to install new equipment for short-run raised Spot UV production.
Explore by framework area
Find articles organised around the key areas of the Flexpress Modern Trade Print Business Framework.
Trade Print Automation
Explore how automation is transforming trade print, from streamlined ordering and artwork checks to faster production, fewer errors and more reliable fulfilment. Discover the technologies and workflows helping print businesses scale efficiently while delivering a better customer experience.
Manufacturing Efficiency
Practical insights into improving productivity, reducing waste and getting more value from every stage of print production. This category covers smarter workflows, equipment optimisation, process improvements and operational strategies that help manufacturers work faster, leaner and more consistently
Modern Print Business
Ideas, trends and strategies for running a successful print company in a rapidly changing market. From digital transformation and customer experience to sales, leadership and innovation, discover what it takes to build a competitive, adaptable and future-ready print business.
Responsible Print
A closer look at how the print industry can operate more responsibly through sustainable materials, reduced waste, efficient production and better environmental choices. Explore practical ways businesses can balance commercial performance with their responsibilities to customers, communities and the planet.
The Future of Print
Insights into protecting the long-term future of a print business through thoughtful leadership, succession planning, and responsible ownership. This category explores knowledge transfer, preparing the next generation, preserving company values, and building a business that can thrive beyond its current leadership.