Manufacturing Station Terms: Prepress to Packing

Plain definitions of the terms used for the nine factory stations behind a photo frame or board, from prepress and lamination to underpinner and inspection.

Short answer: a photo frame or board passes nine stations, from prepress to packing. These terms name the work and the machine at each one.

The nine factory stations in order

Term	Meaning at ArtzFolio	Station
Prepress	Preparing artwork for printing: artwork set-up and file checks. Station 1.	1
Wide-format digital printer	The printer that prints your artwork in house. Station 2.	2
Roll laminator	A heavy-duty roll laminator that gives printed sheets a protective finish. Station 3.	3
Flatbed digital cutting table	Cuts the front sheet and the MDF for exact-size glazing, backboards and mounts; boards are cut on a 5 x 8 ft table. Station 4.	4
Mitre cutting	Cutting the moulding at 45 degrees so the corners meet. Station 5.	5
Underpinner (V-nailer)	Used with glue and corner clamps to join frame corners so they are strong, flush and reinforced. Station 6.	6
Corner clamps	Used with the underpinner and glue at the joining station. Station 6.	6
Assembly	Hardware stapling and hanger and stand fitting, with glazing, mount, photo and backboard fitted. Station 7.	7
Inspection bench	Where every piece is checked before packing. Station 8.	8
Packing	The last station, planned around how you sell, with your label and inserts. Station 9.	9

Back to the main private label glossary.

Sources: how a photo frame and a board are made, station by station [S4]; private label packaging and inserts [S1]. As of 2026-11-12. Terms are typical and are confirmed in your written quote.

Key facts

The nine stations at a glance

Fact	Detail
Stations	Nine, in our own factory in Noida
Order	Prepress, printing, lamination, sheet cutting, mitre cutting or frame making, joining, assembly, inspection, packing
Printing	In house, on a wide-format digital printer
Board cutting	On a 5 x 8 ft table
Which stations apply	They depend on the product
Visits	By appointment, in Noida

Source: the factory page and the Facts page. Facts page as of 2026-11-11. Terms are typical, not a guarantee, and are confirmed in your written quote.

FAQ

Questions about the stations

Does every product pass all nine stations?

No. The stations used depend on the product. A photo frame or a board passes nine stations, from prepress to packing.

Who prints the artwork?

We do, in our own factory in Noida, on a wide-format digital printer at station 2.

When is a piece checked?

Every piece goes to the inspection bench at station 8 before it is packed at station 9. Before that, you approve a sample and the run is checked against it.

Can I visit the factory?

Yes, by appointment, in Noida. Ask through the contact page.

Where can I read the station-by-station walk-through?

The factory page shows what happens at each station, and the frame parts and hanging terms cover what is fitted on the finished frame.

Keep reading

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Manufacturing Station Terms: Prepress to Packing

The nine stations at a glance

Questions about the stations

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Our factory in Noida: nine stations from prepress to packing

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