In this section
Production techniques
How specialty printing and finishing actually works: white ink, contour cutting, UV, and file setup details.
Guides
What white ink is, when you need it, and what goes wrong when you skip it on dark or clear materials.
5 min readUnderbase explained: making colors pop on dark materialsWhat an underbase is, why it is used, and what happens when it is missing or misconfigured.
5 min readSetting up white as a spot layer (print-ready approach)How to define white as a spot color or layer so the RIP and press use it correctly.
5 min readKnockout vs overprint: why white layers failKnockout and overprint control whether ink prints on top of or in place of other ink. Wrong settings break white layers.
5 min readWhite toner vs white ink: what's different and whyWhite toner (dry) and white ink (liquid) are different technologies. When each is used and what to expect.
5 min readWhite toner file setup: what customers need to sendHow to prepare files for white toner so the press uses the white layer correctly.
5 min readUV printing realities: adhesion, curing, and durabilityHow UV-curable printing works, what affects adhesion and durability, and where it can fail.
6 min readPrinting on clear materials: opacity, layering, and readabilityPrinting on clear acrylic and other transparent substrates: what to expect and how to design for readability.
5 min readContour cutting explained: what it is and what to expectWhat contour (die) cutting is, how it works with the print, and what you need to provide in the file.
5 min readCut paths and offsets: how to avoid ugly edgesWhy cut paths need an offset from the print edge and what goes wrong when offset is wrong or missing.
5 min readBleed vs cutline: the most common contour-cut mistakeBleed is extra print beyond the trim; cutline is where the cutter cuts. Confusing them causes mis-cut and reprints.
5 min readWeeding and small details: why some designs are riskyWeeding is removing excess material after cutting. Tiny details and thin bridges are hard to weed and can tear.
5 min readFoil printing explained: when it makes senseWhat foil stamping is, when to use it, and what to expect from the process and cost.
5 min readFoil file setup: layers, knockouts, and trapsHow to prepare art for foil stamping so the die and foil register correctly with the print.
5 min readFoil vs metallic ink: differences and tradeoffsFoil stamping and metallic ink both read as "metallic" but are different processes. When to use which.
5 min readSubstrates foil works on (and doesn't)Foil adheres to some surfaces and fails on others. Substrate choice affects whether foil is an option.
5 min readFoil durability, handling, and longevityHow foil holds up to handling, abrasion, and time. What to expect and what to avoid.
5 min readWhy foil jobs fail and how to avoid themThe most common foil stamping failures: adhesion, registration, and file setup. Cause and mitigation.
6 min read