In previous blogs, we’ve showcased the various ways in which specialist print finishes can make your print more distinctive. Whether it’s a business card, packaging sleeve or marketing piece, a carefully considered finish can definitely add a touch of quality that is sure to catch the eye of your intended audience.
That’s not to say that every project needs foil, lamination, embossing or spot UV varnish. Finishes should always be chosen because they add practical or commercial value to your print, rather than simply being included for decoration purposes.
Print finishes are additional processes that are applied to materials either during or after the print process. They can change the appearance, texture, shape or durability of the finished product, with the most popular finishes including:
These processes can introduce additional stages to the production process, so there may be an increase in cost and lead time.
You may want to consider the additional investment in a print finish when the quality of your printed item is likely to influence how a customer perceives the product or service behind it.
If you plan to print a luxury brochure and choose an unsuitable lightweight paper stock, it can undermine the image of a premium brand. Alternatively, choosing a board that has been enhanced with soft-touch lamination, foil blocking or a subtly embossed logo can make the same design feel far more valuable.
It’s also worth remembering that your chosen finish does not need to dominate the whole design. Just a small area of foil or spot UV can often be far more impactful than applying multiple effects across entire pages.
Finishes aren’t just there to make your print look visually appealing - some finishes can also be selected to provide functional benefits.
Take lamination for example: it bonds a thin protective film layer to the surface of your print. Doing so can improve resistance to handling, moisture, scuffing and fingerprints. This makes it a worthwhile addition for:
Your choice of lamination is also worth careful consideration. A gloss lamination will increase the shine and make your colours appear more vibrant. Matt lamination, on the other hand, will have the opposite effect, giving them a softer and less reflective appearance.
All print finishes work best when they reinforce the purpose of the design. A few examples include:
Technical planning is essential, because foil, embossing and die cutting may require custom dies. Paper thickness, coating, folding positions and grain direction can also affect the final result.
Discussing those details with your print partner early in the project and before the artwork is finalised can prevent expensive changes later in the process.
A finish may not offer good value when the printed item has a short lifespan, a limited budget or a purely functional purpose.
For high-volume leaflets, temporary price lists or frequently updated materials, investing in a better design, clearer messaging or improved paper stock may produce a stronger return than adding a decorative finish.
At Colour Print, we help clients compare the visual effect, practical benefits, production requirements and cost of each option. From our printworks in Norwich, we can recommend a finish that strengthens your project without adding unnecessary expense.
Contact our team to discuss your next print project and find out which print finishing options are genuinely worth the investment.
From the Colour Print printworks in Norwich, we print and fulfil orders throughout the UK.
Get in touch to chat about your latest print project.
Call us on 01603 488001, email sales@col-print.co.uk or fill out this contact form and someone from our team will be in touch.