A well finished print job has a distinct look and feel that can really make an impression on its recipients. The different finishes available can really bring a printed piece to life in a way that digital communications such as websites, social media and HTML e-mails will never be able to replicate.
Here is a guide to some of the finishes we use in order to make our prints stand out.
Gloss is typically used to enhance photographs. It can give a striking finish, especially when used for publications that have a lot of images.
Matte helps improve readability. Matte is most used on the interior pages of publications.
Silk is the middleman between gloss and matte, not too glossy, not too dull.
UV Varnish provides more shine than traditional varnish. This is applied using ultraviolet light.
Full Bleed UV is a very high gloss effect, which provides even more shine than normal UV.
Spot UV gives a high gloss finish for specific parts of a design. Spot UV can be used to enhance specific parts of a design and create a variety in texture.
Textured Spot UV can be used to create specific textures, for example leather and rubber.
Pearlescent can be used to create a luxurious effect.
Uncoated can be used to create a rough, more organic feel.
Matte lamination gives printed work a soft satin finish that is smooth to the touch. It is often used for business cards.
Embossing and Debossing can be used to create a textured three dimensional effect where certain elements of the design are highlighted by being pressed above or below the surface.
Foil stamping is the process of pressing coloured foil onto a substrate with a heated die. This can add texture and elegance to a design. It can also be used as a mirror to show reflections, adding to the overall effect of a printed piece.
Die Cutting is when the shape of the paper is altered or areas are cut out to enhance the visual purpose of a design. Die cuts are often used to see beyond the page onto the preceding one.
Our advice would be to make sure your printer provides you with some samples different finishes so that you can select the most suitable ones for your print job.
If you would like to see any of our printed work, or have a chat with our creative team about any of your requirements then please get in touch.
Phone: 01926 887 555
E-mail: info@serendipity2.com.
Alternatively you could have a look at the case studies and examples on our website: www.serendipity2.com (although the only way to really appreciate the look and feel of our prints is to see them physically).
