Special Effects for your Printed Pieces
Consider the use of specialty printing to add extra impact to your next print project. Special coatings, laminate and die cut custom shape helps create printed pieces that stand out and gets you noticed. In this digital age, people are still very tactile, and they love the look and feel that specialty printing adds.
Specialty Printing Options: Which one is right for you?
There are many ways to add a special finish to your next piece. Some of the most popular ones at Allegra include:
- UV varnish: This coating adds a gloss or matte finish to either a certain area or the entire surface of a printed piece. It makes elements stand out, creates a texture that feels great, and also adds protection. UV varnish bonds and dries to the surface when exposed to UV light, hence the name. You may have seen UV varnish highlight a logo on a business card to make it glossier than the rest of the card, or protect the entire cover of a booklet.
- High gloss laminate: Add extra glossy protection and impact with this specialty finish. High gloss laminate highlights sharpness and contrast and makes photos really pop. You will see this technique used most often on book and magazine covers.
- Die-cutting: Create custom shapes, windows, tabs and more with die-cutting. Need a custom flyer in the shape of a house, puppy, or heart? How about a window in a booklet to frame content on the page behind it? We can do that!
- Folding: Almost everyone is familiar with the traditional three-fold brochure, but there is more to folding than meets the eye. Next time, consider more unusual options like gate folds, half folds, or multiple folds that create a unique shape.
- Embossing and Debossing: A raised or embossed logo on a business card creates texture, highlight and shadows. The opposite of embossing is debossing, where the element is pressed into the card instead of raised up. Both add a unique and unexpected feel.
- Gold or Silver Foil: For extra elegance and a high-end look, adding gold or silver foil can take your design to the next level.
Many of the specialty finishes listed above can be combined; for example, foil can be added to embossing for extra impact. Bindery is another aspect that greatly affects the final look. From folding to saddle-staple to perfect binding, we will help you make the right choice to hold your piece together.
We have lots of samples that show you exactly what these finishes look like, and we can design a plan that matches your vision and your budget. Contact us today for samples, advice and to get started.