There sure is a lot of choice out there in the print world.. and when it comes to choosing the finishing touches it can get quiet baffling!! We thought we'd have a look at the main options available so if you're looking at making a change these might suit your brand!!
Laminating - 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.
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.
Foil Stamping - Foil stamping (or foiling which it's commonly known) is the use of a malleable metallic material applied to the print surface by using heat and pressure.
Embossing - This print finish adds physical depth to the embossed elements and thus, shadows and highlights are also produced in the design.
Letterpress - Letterpress printing is one of the oldest printing techniques available .A letterpress is used to depress or indent certain portions of the page. It can be seen as the opposite of embossing.
So, as you can see there are a lot more finishes that are available other than die cutting. Of course some of these are more expensive than others and which one you choose comes down to budget and what look you are wanting to create for your brand. Print finishes are great for giving your designs that extra point of difference. A good print finish can sometimes make or break a good design.
Next time you're handed a business card have a look and see if they've been given the finishing touches!!
(photo courtesy of design instruct)
