Tip On Printing Services

Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen Senior Content Strategist at 4OVER4.COM

The residue-free adhesive that sticks to gift cards, postcards, and more. Fugitive glue is strong enough to withstand handling yet flexible enough to peel the attachment off clean, protecting both pieces from tears, smudges, and smears.

Tip on printing bonds a second printed piece onto a mailer, brochure, or catalog with fugitive glue, the adhesive that leaves no residue and lifts off in one clean pull. It works on paper, cardstock, and plastic, which is why banks use it to hold credit cards on mailers. At 4OVER4.COM every tip-on job is quoted per project with expert guidance on size, weight, and materials.

Tip on printing with fugitive glue, a card attached to a printed mailer with residue-free adhesive

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Tip on printing in one paragraph

Tip on printing attaches a real card, sample, or insert onto a printed carrier with fugitive glue, the residue-free adhesive you know from credit card mailers and gift card holders. The bond holds through handling and mailing, then peels off in one clean pull without tearing, smudging, or smearing either piece. It works on paper, cardstock, and plastic, powers creative folds like gated brochures, and turns a flat mailer into something the recipient keeps. At 4OVER4.COM every job is quoted per project, with a price match that beats any competitor offer by up to 10%.

What tip on printing with fugitive glue actually is

Tip on printing example from 4OVER4, a card held on a printed carrier by residue-free fugitive glue

Tip on printing bonds one printed piece onto another with fugitive glue, a special adhesive that lets you stick pieces together without affecting the base print. It leaves no residue behind and protects both pieces from tears, smudges, and smears. The glue is strong enough to withstand handling yet flexible enough that the attachment rips off easily when the recipient wants it.

Picture opening a mailer and finding a real card stuck right to the page. Not printed on it. Physically attached. The reader peels it off, flips it over, and keeps it. That multi-layered, hands-on experience is something flat printing alone cannot deliver, and it is the whole reason brands pay for the extra finishing step.

At 4OVER4.COM the technique is built for campaigns that need to feel different in someone's hands, whether you are tipping a plastic gift card onto a holiday mailer or attaching a product sample to a catalog page. The base piece and the tip-on element print separately, each with its own stock and finish, and the glue brings them together at the end.

You already know fugitive glue, even if you never named it

Credit card style mailer printed by 4OVER4 with the card attached by peelable fugitive glue

You may recognize fugitive glue from the envelopes holding credit cards in place from your local financial institution, from gift card holders at retail counters, and from the back of the plastic card that holds a new sim card. Anywhere a card arrives attached and peels away clean, this adhesive is doing the work.

That track record matters because it proves the glue's range. It is versatile enough to work on paper, on cardstock of different thicknesses, and on plastic without losing its grip on the add-on. A 32pt ultra thick business card holds just as securely as a thin paper coupon, and both come off without a mark.

Now 4OVER4.COM makes the same technique available for your own campaigns. With fugitive glue you lift your marketing, increase your brand's perceived value, and convey a high-end, professional look. Compared with a standard flat piece, a tipped-on card turns a passive reader into an active participant, and that difference shows up in response rates.

Get creative, from gift cards to gated brochures

Tip on printing example from 4OVER4, a sample piece attached to a printed page with removable adhesive

The classic tip-on pairings cover most campaigns. Try tip on printing using:

Because the process and the glue are designed to protect your print, tip on printing can be used for more than simply attaching one piece to another. You can create custom shaped pieces that stick together at angles or in the middle. Think gated brochures that hold themselves closed, custom-made business cards, folded flyers, and invitations that open in unexpected ways.

Marketing campaigns, and life beyond business

Invitation printed by 4OVER4 with a keepsake card tipped on with fugitive glue

Fugitive glue is a great way to breathe new life into old or existing marketing strategies. Attach a gift certificate or coupon to get more traction with a promo, design pieces where both prints complement each other, show a before and after, or simply provide a sample of your latest product. Starting out? Use it for introductory brochures, flyers, or really interesting business cards with little add-ons that represent your brand.

The same idea works across industries. Real estate agents tip their card onto Just Listed mailers and it ends up on the fridge for months. Hotels tip key-card style discount cards onto welcome brochures. Cosmetics brands tip scented sample cards onto catalog pages. Nonprofits tip pre-addressed reply cards onto appeal letters, which removes friction from giving.

And it is more than business. Be the talk of the town at your next event, be it a bachelorette party or a birth announcement, by giving out invitations, postcards, folded cards, or flyers with a small token of appreciation attached. You can add anything from a gift card to a sophisticated black and white photograph as a keepsake. Thinking it is too heavy? Contact us and we will be delighted to assist you.

How a tip on job runs, from file to finished piece

Postcards printed by 4OVER4, the kind of carrier piece a tip-on card is bonded to

Everything starts with two files. The first is your base piece, the mailer, brochure, or folder that serves as the carrier. The second is your tip-on element, the card, swatch, coupon, or sample that gets attached. Each component prints independently with its own specs, paper stock, and finish, and they do not need to match. That contrast is part of the appeal.

Then the adhesive step. A measured dot or strip of fugitive glue goes on the back of the tip-on piece, and it is positioned and pressed onto the carrier. The bond has to hold through mailing but release cleanly, so placement and glue amount are checked piece by piece. Every finished unit is inspected for card alignment, bond strength, and how it folds and mails before anything ships.

The process typically adds a few days to a standard production timeline, so plan ahead and reach out early if you have a campaign deadline. Get your artwork press-ready with our design templates and online designer, then talk to us about the attachment.

How to order, and the price match that backs it

4OVER4 price match guarantee badge for custom tip on printing projects

Because tip on printing produces highly customized pieces, you get a custom quote for your project by emailing support@4over4.com. Our team will provide precise information regarding size and weight and offer expert insight into possible glued-on folds and more. If you are worried about weight or materials, our representatives will gladly explore your options and advise on the best way to use this powerful adhesive to your advantage.

We match your best offer by 110%. We are sure we are offering you a great deal, but if you find someone with better pricing we are prepared to offer a 100% price match to any competitor's pricing and beat it by up to 10%. Final approval is done on a case-by-case basis. Just send us a scan of your best offer and we will do the rest.

Pricing on the pieces themselves is public and scales with quantity. The variables on the tip-on side are the size of both pieces, the stocks, the adhesive amount, the placement precision, and the total count, and higher volumes bring the per-unit cost down a lot. Ready? Configure a product below or start a custom project to get your quote.

Specs and pricing

A classic tip-on element: plastic gift card specs and live pricing

Tip on printing rides on top of the pieces you configure, so start with the element you want to attach. Here are the live specs and price-per-unit for plastic gift cards at 4OVER4.COM, one of the most popular pieces to tip onto a mailer, straight from the configurator.

Printing Specifications & Options
Plastic Gift Cards
Plastic Gift Cards
From $226.11
Finish
UV Gloss FinishSilk Laminated - Matte Finish
Ink Color
4/0 : 4 Color Front; Blank Back4/4 : 4 Color Both Sides
Foil Stamping
No, Thank YouYes, Foil Stamp Front SideYes, Foil Stamp Back SideYes, Foil Stamp Both Sides
Signature Panel
NoYes
Magnetic Stripe
NoLoCoHiCo
Barcoding with Numbering
NoYes, Code 128Yes, Code 39Yes, UPC-AYes, EAN-13
Variable Data (Sequential Numbering, etc)
NoYes
Scratch Off with Pin
NoYes
Plastic Gift Cards Pricing
Starting from $226.11
QuantityPrice Per UnitTotal
25090.4¢$226.11
50055.3¢$276.63
1,00037.8¢$377.68
2,00034.7¢$693.46
2,50035.3¢$882.94
3,00033.6¢$1,009.25
3,50032.4¢$1,135.55
4,00031.5¢$1,261.87
View and customize

Print it

Pieces we print and tip on

Ultra Thick Business Cards
Ultra Thick Business Cards
From $36.62
18 ordered
View and customize
Direct Mail Postcards
Direct Mail Postcards
From $18.94
64 ordered
View and customize
Gift Certificates
Gift Certificates
From $42.84
61 ordered
View and customize

Wally shows you the peel

Why a tipped-on card gets kept while a flat mailer gets tossed

Wally from 4OVER4 peels a tipped-on business card off a direct mail brochure to show the clean, residue-free bond

Hand someone a flat mailer and it goes in the recycling. Tip a real card or gift card onto it with fugitive glue and they peel it off, flip it over, and drop it in a wallet. No residue, no tearing, no smudges on either piece. That physical moment is the whole point of tip on printing. Print the element you want to attach, then email support@4over4.com for a custom quote on the attachment.

Print a piece to tip on →

See it in use

Real print runs, finished in-house

Print showcase · Gift Certificates
4OVER4.COM Gift Certificates: real customer work printed in-house at 4OVER4's Queens, NY facility.
4OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 14OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 24OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 34OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 44OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 54OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 64OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 74OVER4.COM Gift Certificates customer work 8

Get Started

Make your mail impossible to toss.

Tip a real card, gift card, or sample onto any mailer with fugitive glue that peels off clean. Custom quotes on every project, backed by a price match that beats any offer by up to 10%. Printing specialty finishes since 1999.

By the numbers

Finishing you can count on at 4OVER4

10 billion+ Cards printed since 1999
4.8/5 Across 10,000+ reviews
99.8% On-time delivery
150,000+ Businesses served

Common Questions

Common questions about tip on printing

What is tip on printing with fugitive glue?

Tip on printing uses fugitive glue, a special adhesive that lets you attach one printed piece to another without affecting the base print. The glue leaves no residue behind and protects both pieces from tearing, smudges, and smears. It is strong enough to withstand handling through the mail, yet flexible enough that the recipient peels the attachment off cleanly in one pull.

What products work with fugitive glue?

Fugitive glue works with gift cards and gift card holders, postcards, credit cards, small samples or add-ons, magazine inserts, and any plastic card attached to a base. It also enables creative folds like gated brochures, invitations, and innovative cards. The adhesive grips paper, cardstock of different thicknesses, and plastic without losing hold on the add-on.

How is tip on printing different from standard flat printing?

Standard printing gives you one flat sheet with a single stock and finish. Tip on printing layers a second, standalone piece onto the carrier, so the recipient physically interacts with it. They peel the card off, flip it over, and keep it. That tactile moment is what lifts response and retention, and it is something a flat sheet cannot do.

How do I order tip on printing?

Because tip on printing produces highly customized pieces, every job gets a custom quote. Email support@4over4.com with your project details and our team will provide precise information on size, weight, and possible glued-on folds. If you are unsure about weight or materials, our representatives will explore your options and advise on the best way to use the adhesive.

Can I use fugitive glue for personal projects?

Absolutely. Fugitive glue is perfect for event invitations, birth announcements, bachelorette party cards, and more. Attach anything from a gift card to a black and white photograph as a keepsake. It works great on postcards, folded cards, and flyers that carry a small token of appreciation.

Does 4OVER4 offer price matching on tip on printing?

Yes. We offer a 100% price match to any competitor pricing and beat it by up to 10%. Send us a scan of your best offer and we will do the rest. Final approval is done on a case-by-case basis, but we are confident we can build a great deal for your project.

Will fugitive glue damage my prints?

No. Fugitive glue is specifically designed to protect your prints. It leaves no residue behind when the attachment is removed and does not cause tearing, smudging, or smearing on either piece. That protection is exactly why banks trust it to hold credit cards on mailers.

Legal Disclaimer

Tip-on printing quotes are custom and subject to review based on project specifications including size, weight, and material compatibility. Tip-on placement may shift slightly during production, and adhesive bond strength varies with stock weight and finish, so contact us before ordering if your tip-on element is unusually heavy or coated. Price match guarantee requires verifiable proof of a competitor's published price for equivalent specifications, and final pricing approval is done on a case-by-case basis. All products are subject to standard production and shipping timelines. Contact support@4over4.com for detailed specifications and expert consultation.

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25+ Years Since 1999
150,000+ Businesses Served