There are many different print techniques out there to make your printed piece stand out. Although some of these processes can be expensive and/or difficult to do, they truly make a difference in your final product. We show you some techniques below:
Embossing/Debossing
Embossing and dembossing are similar processes that create a different result. Both processes involve making a metal plate and a counter. The plate is mounted on a press and the paper is stamped between the plate and counter. This force of pressure pushes the stock into the plate, creating the impression. Embossing produces a raised impression on your paper stock, while debossing creates a depressed impression.
Emboss
Deboss
Varnish
A varnish is a liquid coating applied to a printed surface to add an intensified chosen finish. The types of varnishes are gloss, matte, silk/satin, UV and spot UV. Whichever look you are going for in your piece, you can transform it with these coatings.
Spot UV Varnish
Die Cutting
Die cut involves cutting irregular shapes in paper or paperboard using a die. A die can be used in printing for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing and debossing. Dies are normally custom pieces, but your printer will usually have some standard dies (such as for rounded corners) available if you don’t need a custom template
Foil Stamping
To get the gold /silver stamp, a foil layer is affixed to a certain material by a heating process. This is quite similar to uv-spot printing.
Silver Foil Stamp
Thermography
Thermography produces raised printing similar in appearance to engraving, but using a different process. In thermography, a special powder is added to the ink that is to be printed on the paper. The printed piece is heated, causing the powder and ink mixture to dry, which in turn results in a raised effect on the paper.
Letterpress
Letterpress is the oldest printing process. In this method, a surface with raised letters is inked and pressed to the surface of the printing substrate to reproduce an image in reverse. Typically, metal type has been used, but other possibilities include carved wood or stone blocks. Most popularly used on wedding invitations, this process can also be used to create unique business cards as well as other custom printed products.
Bell’Invito Letterpress Stationary
Silk Screen Printing
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil. The attached stencil forms open areas of mesh that allows ink to transfer onto the material. A roller is moved across the screen stencil, forcing or pumping ink past the threads of the woven mesh in the open areas.
The Silk Screen Process in action