One of the hardest tasks that students must complete when studying at a higher learning institution is preparing a research paper. This can be a thesis or dissertation. A thesis is a research paper that Bachelor’s and Master’s students must complete as part of their course requirements, while a dissertation is usually completed by PhD students. These are comprehensive papers that take a lot of time and resources to research and write.

The task usually does not end with writing the paper. Even after the paper is complete, students have to print and bind it before submission. Your printing and binding choices for a thesis paper will determine how it looks and the first impression your lecturer has when you hand it in. The way you print and bind your thesis also affects your marks. For this reason, it is a critical step of completing your research paper.

There are two important questions you have to ask yourself when it comes to binding and printing a thesis. They are:

       - How should I do it?
       - Where should I go to get it done?

Keep reading this paper for answers to these questions and other fantastic tips for binding and printing a research paper.

How should you binding and printing a thesis?

This is a common question by students who have never completed this process before. The best place to start is usually with the guidelines from your learning institution. Most learning institutions usually provide guidelines and instructions on how you should print and bind your thesis. For instance, your should may tell you the type of binding technique or the color and paper on which your thesis should be printed. This information will give you a place to start.

However, not all learning institutions give these guidelines. In case there are no instructions from your school, you can count on the effective steps on this post. We will help you get started and complete the process successfully.

Things to watch out for when printing your thesis

Printing is the process of turning your research paper from a soft copy to hard copy. The printed work usually appears on pieces of paper that you can hand in to your lecturer. When it comes to converting your work into a hard copy, there are three key factors that you have to watch out form. They are:

Color of the print

When you look at printing options, they are usually either black and white, or contain colors in them. Black and white printing is the most common because it gives your paper a serious look. It is also cheap and finding a copy shop that offers this option is very easy.

The second option is colored printing. This will give your paper more character, especially if it includes special features like tables and images. However, too much color on your thesis may take away from its seriousness. Also, this option is more expensive than the former.

Type of printing paper

You also have to consider the type of paper on which your work will be printed. In this area, there are also two core options:

      - 80 g/m2 paper – this is a thin type of paper that is light. It is also the most affordable option. However, it is very low quality and the print on one side usually shines through the opposite side.
      - 100g/m2 paper – this is a sturdier option and a slightly more expensive one. Using this type of paper instantly improves the quality of your work. So, it should be your first choice when considering papers choices.

The cost of getting your work printed

The cost of getting the job done is also an important factor to consider. Elements like the type of paper, color, and the copy shop where you get the work done will influence the cost. The comprehensiveness of your paper will also determine the cost of the entire process. You can always reach out to different copy shops and ask for price quotations so you can determine the best option.

Once you have made a choice when it comes to the three elements above, you can move on to the binding process.

Things to watch out for when binding a thesis

Binding is just as important as the printing process. It determines how your paper will look before you hand it in. Also, it helps you keep your paper in order before you hand it in. Many elements, like the type of paper you are working with will determine your choices when it comes to this stage. For instance, if you are dealing with a comprehensive research paper, then you will need a high quality bind technique that will be able to handle the weight of the printed paper. So, an option that works for small term papers may not do the trick.

The key consideration when it comes to binding is the type of technique you use. Read the rest of this post to find out the available options and when they are suitable:

Techniques for binding your final paper

There are four key methods available for you to choose from. All of them have their pros and cons. Some are more suitable for specific papers than others. Read on for comprehensive information on the available options:

The leather binding

This is the best method in the market. It gives off a sophisticated look for your final paper. This technique features a leather-look solid cover on the front and back. This technique works well for comprehensive papers like thesis and dissertations because it can handle the weight and looks sophisticated. However, this method is more expensive because of its quality. You can also add to its quality with elements like corner protectors and customized embossing.

The thermal binding

This technique features a transparent cover on the front and a leather-look solid cover at the back. The back can be customized to a color of your choice. It is cheaper than the leather method but more costly than the other two that we will be discussing below. This method is great for small research papers or small printouts of your final paper. It cannot handle the weight of comprehensive papers.

The softcover method

This is a creative method that gives you the freedom to explore your creativity. For instance, you can choose the color, design, fonts, logo, and images that will go on your cover. While you have total creative freedom with this option, you ought to be keen not to make it too cluttered. Remember that your paper still needs to look professional. This method is ideal for any type of final paper except comprehensive dissertations.

The spiral method

This is the most common one. It comes with a transparent front and colored leather-look back (like thermal technique). However, instead of glue holding the printed pages, it uses metal or plastic spirals. It is ideal for small research papers because the springs tend to get loose when the paper is too heavy. So, it may not be ideal for comprehensive papers.

The best place to go for printing and binding services

The internet is the best place to find a good copy shop where you can print and bind your thesis. This is because there are numerous choices and you can get the services from the comfort of your home, saving you time and money. When choosing an online copy shop, you have to consider elements like reputation, reviews, experience, and costs.

BachelorPrint is a fantastic option. It offers a variety of options, affordable prices, free express shipping, and 3D previews. It is also a trustworthy online copy shop.

Binding and printing a thesis: Get the job done right!

With the tips on this post, you should be able to get the job done right. We recommend trusting BachelorPrint copy shop with the job for quality and quick services at affordable prices. All the best with your thesis.