​In Part 1 of our Special Effects blog, we covered the fundamentals of special effects and finishing. Now let's talk about why it is worth the investment. Beyond the "what" of special finishing lies the "why". At Carlson Print Group, we are firmly in the "why not" camp because these techniques only add to your work's quality, value and overall appeal. 
Worth the investment
It's true – special effects are not free. There is an additional cost to add these to your print and packaging projects. In the end, we think you'll see that the benefits far outweigh the costs.

​As a company known for its special effects and finishing options, Carlson Print Group likes to stay on the cutting-edge of technology – and help others learn and grow their knowledge base about the techniques we use. We thought we'd take a moment to discuss the fundamentals of special effects and how they work to enhance print and packaging.
​From Ho-Hum to Extraordinary
You have an amazing design on the screen, but it feels flat and ho-hum once you see it in reality.

​At a time when consumer interest in catalogs, magalogs and direct mail is peaking, the pandemic and other economic factors continue to wreak havoc on supply chains across the globe.

These disruptions are causing serious paper shortages and, in some cases, price hikes. Recent reporting from Bloomberg estimates the average price of paper went up as much as 16% last summer. 

​When we're talking about people, it's what's inside that counts.
 
When it comes to luxury brands and products, the story—and the sale—starts outside the box. Along with packaging materials and design, print plays an important role in identifying very high-end products and connecting to their audience. Luxury packaging is an extension of the product itself, and the consumer should find that the package introduces and raises expectations of the product inside. 

​Carlson Print Group is excited to announce an investment in a new large format digital enhancement press that will save customers time and money, while making us better at what we do best—state-of-the-art specialty printing.
 
There are so many exciting applications and enhancements that can be done with print. With the Scodix Ultra 6000 press addition, we’re broadening our high-end, tailored enhancement offerings and actively growing in the packaging sector.

​Packaging and print reinforce brand identity in unique ways, strengthening your marketing mix
 
Packaging is an excellent way to introduce your brand to the world and keep it in the public eye. Unique in the marketing mix, packaging and related print materials can convey information about your products that complement and strengthen a company’s web sales and social media efforts. Print is an ideal space to showcase your brand’s voice, colors, personality, and even pull back the curtain on your company culture.

​These days, consumers know more than average about logistics and supply chains. And not for a happy reason either -- there have been shortages of products and supplies of all types since the beginning of the pandemic, and it could be months before the market begins to loosen up. The paper and print industry is no exception.
 
But we're not here to give our customers the bad news -- we're here to offer solutions and strategies for both short- and long-term success in print marketing and packaging.

​Consumers crave an immersive experience, and what is more immersive than reality or—the latest in innovative product packaging—augmented reality.
 
With the click of a photo, shoppers can transform the otherwise ordinary packages in their hands into epic visual stories that have the power to reinforce brand identity, spice up plain paperboard and brown boxes, and familiarize consumers with the product in their hands.

​The humble beverage box has a great big job. With continued emphasis on direct-to-consumer and online sales, wine, spirits and beer packaging must tell a story from the pages of a catalog, on social and websites, as well as jump off the shelves at member warehouses like Costco and tiny corner markets. All that, and the package must ensure the beverage arrives home in perfectly drinkable condition.

​We can all agree on the winner of this pandemic -- pets.
K9 Magazine reports that “Covid-19 surged the trend for pet ownership with 12% adults with children under the age of 18, adopting pets because of the pandemic, compared with 8% of all adults.