What exactly is layer cake printing? Layer cake printing bonds multiple sheets of card stock together with a colored paper layer in the center. The result is a thick, rigid card… Read answer What is lenticular printing and how does it work? Lenticular printing places two or more interlaced images beneath a ridged plastic lens sheet. As you tilt the piece, the lens reveals differ… Read answer How should I set up my design file for raised foil? Raised foil uses a dedicated layer that marks where the raised metallic effect is applied, so that layer has to be separate and precise. Cre… Read answer What is silk lamination, and how does it differ from matte or gloss? Silk lamination is a thin protective film with a soft, smooth, almost fabric-like feel. It sits between matte and gloss. Finish Feel Color S… Read answer What exactly is soft touch printing? Soft touch printing adds a matte laminate film that gives a printed piece a velvety, suede-like feel while protecting the surface. Creates a… Read answer What counts as specialty printing? Specialty printing is anything beyond standard CMYK ink on paper. If a technique adds texture, dimension, or a unique visual effect, it coun… Read answer Can I combine multiple specialty techniques on one product? Yes. Layering techniques is common and often the whole point of a premium piece. The trick is picking combinations that complement rather th… Read answer Do I need special file setup for specialty printing? Yes. Effects like foil and spot UV need a separate layer or mask that tells the press exactly where to apply them, on top of your normal col… Read answer How do I set up my design file for spot UV? Spot UV is applied from a separate mask layer that marks exactly where the glossy coating lands, so that mask needs to be clean and precise.… Read answer Can I add foil or spot UV to suede stock? Yes, and it is one of the most striking combinations you can order. The matte, velvety suede surface sets off a shiny or metallic accent bea… Read answer Will my colors look different on suede compared to glossy paper? Yes, a little. The matte suede surface does not reflect light the way glossy stock does, so colors read deeper and slightly more muted. Dark… Read answer How do I set up my design files for ultra thick printing? Setup for ultra thick stock follows standard print prep. The thickness does not change the file, but clean margins and bleed still matter. S… Read answer Will velvet lamination change how my colors look? Slightly. Velvet lamination deepens and softens color compared with how it looks on a bright screen, trading a little vividness for a richer… Read answer How do I make sure my design files are set up correctly for velvet laminated printing? Standard print prep applies, with one extra caution: very fine detail can soften under the laminate. Setting Recommended Color mode CMYK Res… Read answer What substrates work best for white ink printing? White ink shines on anything that is not already white. It is designed to stand out on dark or transparent surfaces where standard CMYK woul… Read answer How do I set up my file for white ink? White ink prints from its own spot layer that tells the press where to lay it down, and the position of that layer changes the effect. Creat… Read answer Will white ink look opaque on dark stock? Yes. White ink lays down a solid, opaque white on dark surfaces, though coverage depends on how many passes are printed. Coverage Result Sin… Read answer Can I combine white ink with other specialty finishes? Absolutely. White ink layers well with most specialty techniques, which is what makes it so useful on dark and clear stocks. Pairs with foil… Read answer Does white ink printing cost more than standard CMYK? Usually a little more. White ink needs an extra print pass with a specialty ink, which adds to the base cost, but the gap narrows as quantit… Read answer Is matte printing more expensive than glossy? In most cases, no. On standard products a matte finish and a gloss finish usually cost the same, because both are applied the same way durin… Read answer Can I apply UV coating to any paper stock? You can, but the effect looks far better on some stocks than others. Spot UV relies on contrast between the glossy coated area and the surfa… Read answer Do specialty finishes cost a lot more than standard printing? Specialty finishes do add cost compared with a basic CMYK print, but the gap is usually smaller than people expect. How much depends on the … Read answer How should I set up my artwork files for specialty finishes? Specialty finishes need a little extra file prep, because the press has to know exactly where the effect goes. The rule is simple: put the f… Read answer Can I combine multiple print finishing techniques on one product? Yes, and layering finishes is where a design really stands out. The trick is to pair a base finish across the whole piece with an accent fin… Read answer
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