Previously, because of the complexity of the production process, only those brands with the budget and influence would really use high-end effects on prints (such as gold stamping or metal effects).
But with an explosion of innovation in digital retouching technology, metallic effects in print are more readily available than ever before in terms of hardware and software, opening the creative door for brands of all sizes and types to stand out. Especially the development of metal effects in the field of printing.
Metal media are often used for signage and packaging, and advances in UV printing technology have made metal effects more accessible.
White inks are becoming easier to use on all kinds of printing presses, cleaner, brighter, more opaque, and better adhesion. A lot of times now, you can print CMYK on white, and then there’s a lot of interesting things going on.
Innovation is not just in ink. There is also software to consider, and the progress in software is just as significant. An effective RIP can optimize the design for a particular medium and create impressive results by maximizing the effects of existing materials and the capabilities of the press.
Metallic effects don’t just apply to packaging. Using metallic effects to create striking wall finishes can help brands define Spaces in innovative ways. A glossy ink is used on UV to print on a monochrome, thus creating a two-color look that has a metallic effect.
The most challenging part of metal effects is the setup of the file. When you’re layering different assignments, you have to pay attention to every aspect of the setup so you don’t forget to specify spot colors or add gloss effects. You need to pay attention to detail and make sure all the links are ready to achieve the perfect print result.
Post time: Mar-12-2025