OUGD504 / STUDY TASK 03 / RESEARCH / PRINT FINISHES

The selection and inclusion of print finishes can elevate your design aesthetically and improve its potential for retention. However, the selection must be appropriate for the concept and content of the design. The task given today is to investigate at least 8 types of print finishes whilst considering the following:

• processes involved in applying the finish
• financial considerations
• suppliers
• audience/communication
• potentials for the current project
• design and preparation considerations

Embossing:

Embossing refers generally to the raising elements of the page to add emphasis and physical depth. This print finish creates dimension, something the user can touch; usually specifically on logo, type, pattern or illustration. Often this method can be paired with other print finishes enhancing both effects, for example foiling and embossing can work together to create something very visually attractive for the audience.

An example of embossing on a business card.

Letterpress/Debossing:

Letterpress printing is one of the oldest printing techniques available. Some printers may call letterpress printing by the term debossing.

A letterpress is used to depress or indent certain portions of the page. It can be seen as the opposite of embossing.

Traditionally, the letterpress technique was used only for applying ink on a page as a form of relief printing and usually only for text. But it has evolved to also include pressing logos and other design elements directly into the paper substrate.

Foiling:

Foiling is the process of using heat and pressure onto a surface to apply a metallic material. Colours can range from gold, silver, black, copper and holographic etc. 

Spot UV Varnish:

Spot UV varnishes are paper varnishes applied to the printing surface and is cured or hardened by UV light during the printing process. This results in a glossy coating on the surface of your print.

UV varnishes are usually used as a spot application where only specific parts of the page get a UV varnish. This effectively gives texture and focal interest to different areas of the printing surface while leaving other areas untreated.

 

UV Varnish Pros:

– can be used to enhance specific areas such as text, logos or images rather than cover a whole page

– additional substances can be added to varnish to increases its versatility such as glitter

– can be used in conjunction with a laminate and printed over the top to create a more creative and diverse result.

UV Varnish Cons:

– if printed over a crease in a document it will crack in the same way ink does

– if printed over text or images will be subject to ‘make ready’ die charges which increases its cost

– due to additional set up required uv varnishing is a longer process than lamination

Lamination:

Lamination adds a layer of protective coating (usually some type of plastic), often glossy or matte, to the printed surface while also improving its sturdiness and water resistance.

Lamination also has the added benefits of improving the tactile feel of the of the printed surface, lending it a smooth finish.

If a high gloss laminate is applied to the printed surface, photos and images appear to have more contrast and have better sharpness.

You can also have a more subtle laminated finish.

Lamination is not unlike varnishes. However, whether lamination or varnishes are to be used in a project is wholly dependent on your needs and your desired outcome.

Typically, lamination is used if sturdiness is required such as for business cards and soft covered books. Also, in my experience, lamination tends to be one of the more expensive print finishes.

Lamination Pros:

– can be used to enhance the appearance of standard paper boards at relatively low cost and is generally cheaper than a spot uv varnish in most cases

– will make a paper more durable and long lasting and can actually offer some water/grease resistance

– eliminates cracking of ink on creases

– no set up costs.

Lamination Cons:

– can only be used to cover a whole side of a document

– matt lamination over a dark colour will show scratches and finger prints, more so than gloss.

Die cutting:

A metal tool which punches is hole or edge into a piece of artwork ito create a irregular shape in the substrate, usually card or paper. Like a pie cutter in application, A die cutter is often used used to create packaging from a regular sheet, but can also be used in brochure design to create an unusual cover or to knockout a hole for a image to show through. 
The cutter is a series of blades set in a block to create a single unbroken but irregular edge and can be combined with scoring to create folds in the paper. These have a significant make ready cost and are usually only used when a budget permits. 

Varnish:

Varnish is often associated with wood. However, what you may not know is that varnishes are also used on paper.

Paper varnishes are applied to paper stock to give the page a smooth and consistent texture as well as having the added benefit of sealing the printed material to help preserve it better.

High-quality books and magazines usually have a paper varnish applied to their pages.

Thermochromic:

By using heat sensitive inks that are responsive to touch, the printed publication becomes an interactive device. When touched, the hidden image or message beneath is revealed. As the inks are available in varying temperatures, this process can be employed for moisture, chill, cook and heat reactions, as well as touch.

This is an innovative print finish that could be applied to cookery publications for full visual and tactile effect.