Take Your Project to the Next Level with Special Effects & Finishing – Part 1

​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.

Enter special finishing! These techniques add to your already stellar design work to give them style, dimension and shine. It's what takes your project from average to extraordinary.

Finishing Options to Dial-Up the Creativity
There are countless ways you can style up your print or packaging project with special finishing. Here are some of the more stand-out options that we offer at Carlson Print Group.

• Embossing and debossing are effects used to raise or lower the surface of your materials to create dimension. These effects, used in tandem with other techniques like metallic foiling, give your project added texture and a sense of luxury.
• Soft-touch coating turns your print or packaging project into a velvety-soft, touchable experience. This technique, popular with luxury brands, healthcare, and beauty products, helps awaken the senses with a touchable sensation.
• UV coating offers a visual and tactile sensory experience. UV coating can be applied to select elements of your project or added in a pattern to create a textured effect like leather or sand. The best part of UV is that it can be done in multiple depths to add dimension.

• Metallic ink and effects with ColourFoil give any print or packaging high shine and appeal. Metallic inks are a perfect addition to high-quality print projects like brochures or invitations and add an element of luxury to packaging.
• ChromeFX is another specialty of the house here at Carlson Print Group. It takes your metallic effects and dials them up with patterns and shine. If you truly want to stand out, consider ChromeFX.

• Cast and Cure, want to push your work ahead of the curve. Try holographic effects that give dimension, shine and superior quality to your print and packaging projects.
  
• Folding seems like a pretty simple task, but it can add creativity to how you present your finished piece. Think beyond your standard tri-fold and design your next project with something clever like a waterfall accordion or snake fold.
• Die-cutting is not just for circles and squares. This technique allows finished pieces to be cut into unique shapes or patterns to grab customers' attention.

How We Do It
Carlson Print Group is on top of all the latest technology. We routinely seek out new solutions and equipment that will give us, and you, the competitive advantage. We recently installed a new Scodix Ultra 6000 for large format enhancements. This press addition adds to our already amazing equipment lineup, giving us even greater capabilities to add foil, metallics, embossing, and other special finishes to projects.

"We're so pleased to add this powerful piece of machinery," said Earl Guinter, Vice President of Sales. "With its large size capacity, it allows to add even more creative finishing capabilities to packaging. Carlson Print Group is known for its special effects and enhancements, and this just adds to that reputation."
Request our sample kit today to see these enhancements in action, or give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss your options. We want to exceed your expectations in print.