What's the difference between soft touch coating and soft touch lamination? Both aim for that soft, tactile surface, but they are applied differently and perform differently, especially on dark or heavily inked desig… Read answer What is Raised Spot UV and how does it differ from regular printing? Raised Spot UV is a specialty finishing technique that builds up a clear, glossy layer over specific parts of your design, creating a textur… Read answer Should I use lamination on both sides if only one side has colored printing? If the piece will see handling or wear, laminating both sides is worth it even when only one side carries full-color printing. The back-side… Read answer Is it possible to embrosse on top of printed black ink? Yes, embossing can be applied over printed areas, including printed black ink. The raised effect and the ink coexist, so you can add dimensi… Read answer What is the finished size of a scored and folded card? For a scored and folded card, the finished folded size is typically half of the unfolded flat size, since the score line divides the sheet d… Read answer What size is A5, and how does it differ from standard sizes? A5 is an international paper size that runs slightly larger than the common 5.5" x 8.5" size used in the U.S. As long as your file is set up… Read answer What's the difference between matte coated and semi-coated paper? The difference comes down to how much sheen sits on the surface. Both are coated papers, but they land at different points on the shine scal… Read answer Can very small design elements be printed with gold foil? Very small or thin design elements can be tricky with gold foil stamping, because fine details may not transfer cleanly and can lose legibil… Read answer Is 13oz smooth blockout vinyl a matte or glossy finish? 13oz smooth blockout vinyl has a dull, matte look and feel rather than a glossy one. Its construction is what produces that non-reflective s… Read answer What is the difference between standard gloss and high gloss UV coating? The two are related but not the same. Standard gloss describes the paper itself, while a Hi-Gloss UV coating is an extra layer applied on to… Read answer Can raised spot UV be applied to uncoated cardstock? No. Raised spot UV needs a sealed, coated surface to hold the raised gloss, so it cannot be applied to uncoated or cotton stocks. Those surf… Read answer Can I use laser cutting for thick cardstock like 24pt ultra-thick stock? Laser cutting is not the right method for ultra-thick cardstock at 24pt and above. The thickness resists a clean laser cut, so those jobs ne… Read answer What happens if I print with very heavy ink coverage on soft touch stock? Very heavy ink coverage on soft touch stock can work against the finish. The velvety surface is delicate, so dense ink can reduce that signa… Read answer Will linen paper show scuff marks when die-cut? Yes, it can. Linen has a woven texture, and when it is die-cut against solid, dark background colors, scuff marks can appear along the cut a… Read answer What is the difference between Gloss and Uncoated cover stock? The main difference is the surface coating and the look it gives your print. Gloss reflects light for a vivid, polished result, while uncoat… Read answer Can foil printing be combined with colored card stock? Yes. Foil pairs well with a variety of stocks, including metallic and colored papers, which lets you build custom, high-contrast finishes. M… Read answer Does UV gloss coating make paper too stiff to roll? No. UV gloss coating is a thin varnish that sits on the surface of the paper, so it adds shine without adding meaningful thickness or rigidi… Read answer What paper should I use if I want to print a QR code? For QR codes, the paper surface matters as much as the print. Heavily textured stocks can interfere with a reliable scan, so smoother is bet… Read answer What happens to text during the embossing process? Embossing presses your design into the paper, so a small amount of movement is expected as the emboss die makes contact. Text and fine eleme… Read answer Is 14pt Gloss Cover stock thick enough for ID badges? 14pt Gloss Cover is on the thinner side, but it can be used for ID badges. Whether it is sturdy enough depends on how the badge will be worn… Read answer What paper type should I choose for a matte finish heavy card stock? For a matte look on a heavy card, choose an uncoated stock. Uncoated has no shine, and it is available in heavier weights that give you the … Read answer What paper should I use for a matte finish with a premium thickness and cream color? For a soft, matte look with real heft and a warm off-white tone, a cream uncoated stock is a strong pick. It combines three qualities that a… Read answer What does lamination add to cards-does it increase stiffness or just protect the print? Lamination is mainly a protective layer. It bonds a thin film to the surface of the card to guard the printing against wear, moisture, and h… Read answer Can I write on uncoated soft touch paper with ink-based pens? Yes. Uncoated soft touch paper has an unsealed, matte surface, so ink-based pens write on it easily. Works with: ballpoint, rollerball, and … Read answer Is gloss cover shiny on both sides for postcards? Yes. Gloss cover stock carries the same glossy, reflective finish on both the front and the back of the postcard. This applies to both the 1… Read answer How many pages does my booklet have if my PDF is 92 pages? Each page of your PDF equals one page of the finished booklet, so a 92-page PDF produces a 92-page book. Remember that a single sheet holds … Read answer What paper should I use for a folded brochure or theater program? For a folded brochure or a theater program, a gloss text stock such as 100lb Gloss Text is a popular choice. It delivers a glossy finish wit… Read answer What paper stock should I use for a half-fold brochure? For a half-fold brochure, a 100# silk cover is recommended. It is sturdier than text-weight paper, so it holds a crisp fold and resists sagg… Read answer What paper materials are typically available for flyers? The two most common flyer papers are 100# gloss text and 70# uncoated text. Your choice comes down to the look you want and how the flyer wi… Read answer What does the paper weight number mean on flyer specifications? A paper weight number such as 100# tells you how thick and substantial the stock is. Higher numbers mean thicker, heavier paper. The number … Read answer What paper stock is typically used for bookmarks? The most common bookmark stock is 14pt gloss cover, the standard used by most customers. It gives a smooth, sturdy card with vibrant color. … Read answer What should I know about foil stamping and registration accuracy? Foil stamping is applied on a separate machine from the main print run, so a slight registration shift of up to 1/16 inch is possible. Desig… Read answer Can I print a QR code with metallic or raised foil stamping? No. A QR code printed in a metallic finish, whether regular or raised foil stamping, will not scan reliably. The metallic coating reflects l… Read answer What is a black mask file and when do I need one? A black mask file is an extra file that tells the printer exactly where to apply a special effect such as Raised Spot UV or Metallic Foil. Y… Read answer What file specifications and preparation are required for variable data printing? Variable data printing needs print-ready files built to exact spec so every personalized record outputs cleanly. Spec Requirement File type … Read answer What is the minimum font size for Raised Spot UV text? Raised Spot UV sits up off the surface, so very small type can lose definition as the coating builds height. Keeping text above the minimum … Read answer What should my artwork dimensions be if I want a half-fold brochure? Folded pieces are designed flat and unfolded, so the artwork dimension is always the full open size, not the folded size. Setting this up wr… Read answer What is a safety margin or safe area for my design? A safety margin, also called the safe area, is the buffer inside the trim where you keep anything important. It protects text and logos from… Read answer What are bleed requirements and why are they important? Bleed is the extra artwork you extend past the final trim line so color and images run right to the edge. Without it, a slight shift at the … Read answer What file format and setup do I need for die-cut products? Die-cut products are cut to a custom shape, so along with your artwork you need to supply a vector cut line that tells the machine where to … Read answer How do I reduce colors in my SVG artwork to maintain depth? When you need to simplify an SVG, the goal is fewer colors without flattening the artwork. Grouping shades thoughtfully keeps the sense of d… Read answer What is the difference between 30pt and 10mil lamination? The two numbers sound similar but measure completely different things. Points (pt) describe how thick the card stock itself is, while mil de… Read answer How does debossing look on single-layer vs. two-layer stock? Debossing presses your design into the surface of the stock to create a recessed impression. How clean and deep that impression looks depend… Read answer What is debossing and how does it differ from other finishes? Debossing is a finishing technique that presses a design down into the surface of the paper or card, leaving a recessed, sunken impression y… Read answer What is the difference between letterpress, embossing, and debossing? Letterpress, embossing, and debossing are three different techniques for adding a tactile, dimensional effect to printed pieces. They can lo… Read answer What file dimensions should I use for place cards? Build your file at the finished, flat size of the place card, then add bleed so nothing important sits at the trim edge. If the card folds t… Read answer What should I consider when designing text for foil printing to avoid misprints? Foil is stamped through a metal die, so text has to be big and solid enough for the die to grip cleanly. Thin or tiny lettering is where foi… Read answer Can I combine debossing and foiling on the same area of a card? Yes. Debossing and foil can be applied to the same area, so the design is pressed into the stock and picks up a metallic finish in one spot.… Read answer What file format should I use for color-critical projects? For color-critical work, build and export your file in CMYK rather than RGB, because presses print in CMYK and RGB colors can shift when the… Read answer How can I compare the thickness of different paper stocks? The surest way to judge paper thickness is to feel it, and 4OVER4 makes that easy with a free sample pack. Thickness charts help, but weight… Read answer What paper should I use if I want to write on the cards by hand? If you plan to write on your cards by hand, choose an uncoated stock. Uncoated paper has a slightly textured, absorbent surface that lets ba… Read answer What paper or finish is best for printing autographs? The best paper and finish for autographs depends on how the piece will be signed and displayed, but a few principles apply. Marker and pen i… Read answer Can I write or write on 16pt velvet laminated cover paper? 16pt velvet laminated cover has a smooth, soft coating, and how easily it takes pen or marker ink depends on the specific pen and how much t… Read answer What paper should I use for postcards if I want to write on them? If you plan to write on your postcards by hand, uncoated stock is the best choice because its natural, untreated surface takes pen and marke… Read answer Can silk laminated paper stock accept signatures (like Sharpie autographs) without bleeding or fading? Yes. 16pt silk laminated stock accepts writing and signatures, including Sharpie autographs, without bleeding, so it works well for signed c… Read answer What trading card materials or finishes work best for autographed items? For cards that will be signed, the surface matters as much as the stock. A too-glossy coating can bead or smear ink, while the right finish … Read answer How do I set up a file for a card with mixed finishes, like matte and glossy on different areas? Yes, you can combine different finishes on the same card, for example a matte finish overall with a glossy finish on specific design element… Read answer How do I know if my file is correct for raised spot UV cards? When you submit artwork for raised spot UV cards, 4OVER4 reviews the files and will flag any issues during the proof stage, so you are not l… Read answer How should I prepare files for gold foil printing? For gold foil printing, supply two elements: a black mask layer marking where the foil applies, plus a separate 4-color (4C) print file for … Read answer
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