METALLIC INK Final Part

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR PRINTER THINKS THE METALLIC INK WILL LOSE ITS SHINE COMPLETELY ON THE PAPER YOU’VE CHOSEN?

There are always options. If your metallic silver ink stands a chance of looking grey on the rough, uncoated sheet you have chosen for your project, you can always choose foil stamping instead of ink. The foil will sit up on top of the paper completely. Since it is not an ink, the foil will not be absorbed into the paper at all and will maintain its shine on any substrate.

Nevertheless, you will pay a price for this. The printer will need to create a stamping die and then affix the metallic foil to the press sheet with heat and pressure using a letterpress instead of an offset press. Some printers will have to subcontract this work out, which will also add to the cost and turn-around time of your job.

To achieve your printing goals while saving money, talk with your printer early in the process to determine the most economical--and most appropriate--printing technology for producing metallic effects.

NEW DIRECTIONS: This entire arena of metallic printing has been undergoing dramatic changes recently, with liquid foils, inks that aren’t absorbed into the paper, and other unique options coming onto the market under various trade names. Some metallic ink processes even include UV inks, eliminating the need to wait before printing a second pass, since the “curing” (drying) of UV inks under ultraviolet light is instantaneous.

In short, whenever your design piece involves metallic effects, the most sensible approach is to give your offset print provider actual samples showing what you want to achieve. This will help him determine the best avenue for success.

ONE FINAL CAVEAT: Here’s one final piece of information that may help you avoid nasty surprises: If the printed piece will need to be fed into a laser printer (or another high-heat digital press) after being printed, tell your printer early. Metallic inks need to be formulated in such a way that they will not melt and streak in your laser printer. Properly prepared metallic offset printing ink will protect the laser printer rollers as well as the metallic printed pieces themselves.

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*[Steven Waxman is a printing consultant. He teaches corporations how to save money buying printing, sells printing services, and teaches prepress techniques. Steven has been in the industry for twenty-five years, working as a writer, editor, photographer, graphic designer, art director, production manager, and print buyer.]