If youre old enough to remember, these were the clear plastic sheets teachers would use to project images during class. For film laminated products, the film also enhances the physical properties of the sheet. 60 lbs./ream (98 gsm) -- Face stock for laminates (cartons, boxes, point-of-purchase displays), general purpose label and pressure sensitive applications. So if you're looking for a way to add a little extra personality to your next project, considerprinting on holographic cardstock paper. 2.4 pH - The fountain solution should not be too acidic so that drying of the ink is not hindered. I half expected this from experience with spray adhesives before, but it did impact the finish a bit. Small 11 inch x 17 inch offset presses could be a concern because of less control with the fountain solution rollers. # Type at least 3 character to search # Hit enter to search, Looking for a stationery set? These transparency sheets have two distinct sides, and only one of them is meant to hold ink. 
Having perfected the best way to achieve a saturated, opaque effect, we often use a combination of offset and letterpress printing for maximum awesomeness. A pH of 4.5 is highly recommended. Inter-station UV curing is the most successful way of printing holographic paper and board. We stock a holographic rainbow card stock with a special coating applied to allow for full colour printing + digital white ink, which creates some absolutely stunning results. Knowing which dimension is the grain dimension is an important consideration for light weight papers (75# and 85#) to minimize tearing the paper during printing on using the finished product. Excessive heat may cause matting or diminish the holographic effect. A range of 65F to 75F and 40% to 60% relative humidity is recommended for the press room while running and/or stacking. Holographic paper reacts with laser light so that it won't work as well with an inkjet printer. For this step, I used the exact product pointed out in the video, which is Holographic Foil Cardstock sold by Michaels. I used inkjet sheets, but just be aware of what type of printer youve got. A range of 65F (18C) to 75F (24C) and 40% - 60% relative humidity is recommended for the press room while running and/or stacking holographic paper and board. This attention-grabbing rainbow printing technique creates a futuristic effect on invitations, business cards, and stationery and even on the edges of books and packaging. Holographic substrates are manufactured and sealed with a finish or top coat so they are ready for printing. Kraft paper hang tags with blaze orange, signal green, rocket red, or horizon blue printing, perhaps? Typical polycompound varnishes, such as Algen varnish AOV409, work well on metalized paper. Order a Sample Pack to see for yourself!
Diffracts light to create an eye-catching effect, Variety of patterns for more design flexibility, Integrate with printed graphics for a dynamic effect, Attractive packaging enhances the product image and brand, "Eye-catching" packaging creates more shelf appeal, Differentiates product for higher market share. When printing directly on the metallic surface without an opaque white base coat, there are no special precautions necessary for a superior printed finish. Conventional inks dry by oxidation more than absorption. For example, to achieve a shiny, glossy shade, transparent inks should be used. This is possible because of metalized paper's absorption qualities. Moisture gain or loss causes material to curl. Announcement Converters offers a wide selection of holographic cardstock paper, so you're sure to find the perfect paper for your needs. Amazon didnt have it in stock, so I had to hop in the car for this one. And do your best not to touch the printed side before or after printing. Ask me how I know this. Material is wrapped with film to protect against moisture gain or loss. Sheet damping must be even across the sheet especially avoiding excess water at the edge of the sheets. Were experts at eye-catching, working with metallic foil stamping and sparkling Pantone metallic inks to bring shine and depth to projects like black business cards (one of our specialties) and sleek white wedding invitations. Our site uses cookies to distinguish you from other users and to help provide you with a better experience when using our site. Holographic substrates are used in most types of packaging, point of purchase displays, publishing, magazine covers, signage, annual reports, food products, sporting supplies, trading cards, toys and games, stickers, book jackets, DVD and CDs, set-up boxes, signs, video boxes, security applications & labels, cosmetics and so much more. For laminated paper and board stock, the grain direction is irrelevant, since the film lamination provides added strength in all directions. Glue with a pH of 9 or lower. To reduce stacking pressure, use lifts of up to 2,000 sheets. Grams/sq meter are approximate for board stock, Free Technical Support on printing issues, Small order quantity (100 sheets) for trials. It may not run through your printer as smoothly as standard printer paper. Paper and board stock material is stronger in the grain direction. 2.8 Dryography - Dryography is an alternative method of traditional offset printing that requires special plates, inks, and rollers but uses no fountain solution. 2.5 Ink Holdout - Due to the non-absorbent substrate, ink holdout is maximized. 55 lbs./ream (90 gsm) -- General purpose and beverage label applications, pressure sensitive applications. When printing on UNCOATED both sides, inks dry by absorption. For more information on printing and processing Vacumet products, we recommend you visit their site at www.vacumet.com. Printed sheets or rolls should always be protected from moisture changes by wrapping in poly film. This is true between passes of a multi-pass job as well as after printing and converting. Is holographic material only available in silver?
Youll want to make sure to get the correct kind for your type of printer. For a solid appearance, opaque inks are recommended. Either aqueous or UV-cured over-coatings are recommended. In multi-station presses, the first station ink should have tack of 14. You'll also want to make sure that you're using a laser printer.
These pretty much matched my expectations, but definitely reminded me why I hate printers. Our stock products are available in small carton quantities of 100 sheets. Holographic papers and boards can be "tailed" onto a white paper/board run to create product samples. Registered in England. 100# text -- book cover, DVD inserts, magazine covers, sports programs, 10 pt (230 gsm) and 12 pt (275 gsm) -- Point-of-purchase displays, tobacco packaging, blister cards, greeting cards, trading cards, 14 pt (300 gsm) - blister cards, fine trading cards, very light packaging boards (small cosmetics, etc), 16 pt (350 gsm)-18 pt (375 gsm) - Ocards, packaging (moderate size), golf ball boxes, 22 - 24 pt - large folding cartons (cereal, electronics, etc). Diffracted light separates into various colors and the reflected light sparkles to create a more eye-catching appearance. Wet-trapping: Ink can be wet trapped on metalized paper for multiple color printing. When printing web offset, excessive heat (104F maximum) can adversely affect the quality of the hologram; also certain press controls may give erroneous reading when reflected onto the holographic material. What Are the Many Uses of Glitter Card Stock? Yes. 1. The holographic pattern is formed within a polymer coating, which can be damaged by excessive heat. The first step is to get your card printed onto a transparency sheet. Wouldnt want a fingerprint smooshed between the two layers, right? Your clients and customers will be impressed with your attention to detail, and you'll be sure to make a lasting impression. Now that were ready for the main event, be very careful when loading the printer, and follow all the package instructions. Recently, I saw this video with some details on how to make your own foil cards. Because the challenge of balancing ink and water is removed, waterless printing provides a brighter, more stable four-color reproduction with higher image resolution. 3 Ways You Can Better Your Wedding Invitations, Family Business Success Through Simplicity, Why Nude Is the Right Neutral Choice for Your Envelopes. 6. HOLOPRISM is a registered trademark of Vacumet.
Design Frequently Asked Questions and Tips. Holographic cardstock paper is a growing trend in the world of paper, and it's easy to see why. Just What Exactly Is Paper Cardstock Used For? It does not affect the physical properties (tear, tensile, burst strength, stiffness, etc) of the sheet. Tack: 14 or less. For starters, holographic paper can be very thick. Metalized paper labels will perform on most standard gluing equipment. Designing with a variation of opaque white intensities, opaque color inks and translucent color inks will create unique and eye-catching effects. So as long as your printer can handle coated paper, you should be able to print on things like rainbow holographic cardstockwithout any issues. Consider using holographic cardstock if you're throwing a party and want your invitations to stand out. Although conventional inks work well, UV-cured inks are ideal. Large amounts of DOP plasticizer in gravure inks may interfere with proper ink adhesion. Another adventurous option: custom prismatic patterns like confetti and plaid for extra zing. Delivering maximum contrast, this technique wows on black paperthink black business cards and black invitationsbut it also pops on other paper colors, dark to light. Posted on Apr 21, 2022 | The viscosity can generally be used as supplied by the manufacturer and adjustments should be made according to the manufacturers recommendations. Your best resource for selecting printing inks is the ink supplier. At a glance, I think theyre about three times the thickness of a normal card with two layers of cardstock (double-sided) and two transparency sheets. For each of the succeeding stations the tack should be lowered one point. ph range: 4-5. Vacumets broad range of expertise includes research and development, quality engineering and operations to support customer requirements. Eventually, I had my image printing at a quality I was happy with by using HPs photo settings. Processes with low print take-off may require the addition of up to 12% isopropanol to reduce the surface tension and minimize the amount of water delivered to the paper surface. If you agree to use cookie files, click 'Allow Cookies,' otherwise, click Cookie Settings to allow or prohibit some cookie categories. A humid environment can cause an 'up-curl'; lower humidity can cause a 'down-curl' on the material. For direct metalized products, the metalized holographic surface provides improved gloss, enhanced appearance and a silver reflective background. Your guests will be sure to remember your event when they receive their invitations in the mail. As a test, I cut out one of my cards and one card-sized piece of holographic foil. This type of paper can be expensive, so you'll want to ensure that your prints look their best on the first try. We have recapped Vacumets ink recommendations on this page. VAT No: 977780649. The cost premium decreases with the order quantity. f. Low ink coat weights are recommended to facilitate the drying process, Generally, no additional special procedures are required for flexo printing. A temperature range of 65 to 76 Fahrenheit and a 40 to 60% relative humidity condition are recommended for the press room while running, finishing and storing this paper. Inks formulated with higher solids are recommended so ink film integrity, adhesion, and abrasion characteristics are achieved. For best performance, allow the metalized paper to adjust to the press room's temperature conditions for 24 hours before printing. When printing conventional inks over a dry trap, allow at least 24 hours before the second pass for adequate drying. It was a great starting point, but I wanted to talk a bit about my experience with the process, and where it can go wrong. Once youve figured out whether or not youre going to attach your layers, all thats left is to cut them out and get them in a sleeve. Thank you! 2020 Announcement Converters. However, its easy and more affordable to change the base color of the silver holographic substrate during the printing process. Designing for holographic paper and board is easy and not much different from your standard print preparation. On multi-station presses, the first station should have a tack of 14 with each successive station delivering inks with successively lower tack levels. Contact your ink supplier in advance and ask for recommendations. You can print these sheets on the end of another project. During printing, material temperatures exceeding 104F can diminish the holographic appearance. Using translucent colored inks such as gold, will allow you to achieve a gold holographic sheet and still see the reflective qualities of the sheet shine through. Now that you know you can print on holographic cardstock, were going to cover when you should use it. I used a paper cutter to make sure I got a nice straight edge. For unbeatable dazzle, we print on mirror reflective metallic paper, too. We do the highest-quality holographic foil work in the industry (something to brag about!). White can be printed underneath full colour to allow for full colour designs on rainbow card. 7. Id probably only stick with double-sided cards that arent shuffled in anywhere. For example, 28 inch x 40 inch sheets are noted as 28x40; the underline indicates that the grain direction is the 40 inch dimension. Thank you to all our Patreon supporters who help making this content possible, especially: If youd like to support the site, you can use the Amazon affiliate links below. Both products have special coatings to enhance printability. Formulations are readily available which are specifically designed for metalized papers or laminated film. Unit 3, Stratton View Business ParkBude, Cornwall, EX23 9NR, United Kingdom, After Hours Creative Ltd 2022Company No: 6857235. I ended up attaching everything. Contaminants from paper, ink, and wash up solution can greatly affect the wetting and cleaning properties.
Aqueous coatings need to be specifically designed for use on metallized or foil papers so the ink film is allowed to set prior to final dry of the coating. This team has experience in all commercial print technologies, laminating, holography, coating and general converting. For best results, test adhesion of ink systems. Are holographic substrates more expensive than white paper/board? The graphic design determines number of ink layers and opacity. Gravure inks on holographic metalized paper may be solvent, UV cured or water base in formulation. 4. For best performance, remove the film wrapping and allow the material to adjust to the press room temperature conditions at least twenty-four (24) hours before printing. So, make your own decisions here, and probably test on a single card before you commit. I wanted to go a little bit further and see if I could attach the two. Dryography may also enhance color trapping and reduce problems with process color dominance, such as flesh tones that appear too yellow or red in cast. Please enter your email address below to create account. Whether you're creating a birthday card, a thank-you card, or just a fun card to say hello, holographic cardstock can add an extra touch of personality.