Larissa Jaster Graphic Design Studio|

If you are looking for a way for your business cards to stand out, there are many specialty techniques that can help a business card be unique. Check with your printer to see if they do any of these specialty enhancements. These enhancements will most likely cost more than a standard business card because it will add time during the printing production process. But, if these techniques are used in moderation, along with good design, the results can be stunning. These techniques can also be used to enhance folders, stationary, and promotional materials.

Printing Enhancements

Letterpress
A form of printing in which set type is inked, then impressed directly onto the printing surface.

Embossing
Pressing an image into paper to create a 3D effect that can be seen and felt. Embossing may also be done “blind” (with just the color of the paper showing through) or “register” (combining with ink of foil for special effects).

Blind Embossing
Method of creating raised logos or characters on paper without ink. In this process, two metal dies are used; one with raised logo or characters and another with matching but recessed logo or characters. When a sheet of paper is pressed between these dies, blind embossing occurs.

Debossing
In Debossing, the image is pressed “into” the paper, creating depressions rather than raised impressions such as embossing. Debossing can also be used “blind” (without ink) or used with foil & inks.

Foil Embossing
Combination of foil stamping – application of foil with heat – and embossing, creating a raised impression that results in a raised and foil stamped image.

Foil Stamping
Is the application of pigment or metallic foil placed on paper to produce a reflective surface.

Metallic Ink
Metallic inks are basically tinted varnishes with metallic particles. As the ink dries, the metallic particles rise to the surface and start to reflect light.

Raised Ink/Thermography Printing
Thermography is a process used in conjunction with a conventional offset printing press, where a pieces is printed and then while the ink is still wet a powder is dusted over the wet ink and melted causing a raised effect.

Spot UV
As the name suggests, a Spot Varnish is applied to chosen spots of a printed piece. This has the affect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design, and provides varied textures on a single printed surface. This adds a lot of interest, and can identify the printing as a premium piece.

Die Cut
Die-cutting is the cutting of paper stock to create special shapes by using sharp steel blades (called a die).

Format

Rounded Corners
Other options can include round 1, 2, or 3 corners.

Mini Cards/Panoramic
Use this format to make a vertical or horizontal card.

Circle

Square

Have you used any of these techniques? Do you know of any great examples using these methods?