Laminating is a process that not only protects the print but also enhances its aesthetic qualities. It can be applied to coated papers and boards with a weight above 250 g/m².

Types of laminates and their effect on colors

• Matte (laminat mat): Gives prints an elegant, subtle appearance, minimizes reflections, and makes colors more subdued.
• Soft touch (laminat Soft touch): Creates a velvety, silky surface that is pleasant to the touch. Adds a luxurious character without altering the original colors.
• Glossy (laminat błysk): Gives prints an intense gloss, emphasizing the vibrancy and contrast of colors. Ideal for advertising materials meant to attract attention.

Notes: best practices for preparing files for laminating

• Dark solid areas: For designs with large dark solid areas, laminating is recommended. This prevents paper fibers from cracking at creases and during cutting, ensuring clean edges.
• Mandatory laminating: For some products, laminating is required. Detailed information can be found in the “How to prepare” section for specific products.

Areas intended for selective varnishing should be placed on a separate page,  as a mask  100%K  (black).

Prepare a PDF file in which: Page 1: front, Page 2: back, Page 3: varnish for front, Page 4 (optional): varnish for back.

Do not use shades of gray – even light grays will be automatically converted to black and covered with varnish.

Requirements and notes for UV and 3D selectively varnished elements

• Minimum line thickness: 0.4 mm.
• Minimum distance between elements: 0.5 mm.
• Minimum font size: 10 pt.
• Allow for possible varnish shift relative to print by 0.3 mm.
• Selective varnish looks best on elements up to 4 mm wide. On larger areas (e.g., 5x5 mm), surface irregularities may appear on varnished areas.
• For high-volume orders or when the varnished area exceeds 15% of the usable area, production time may be extended.

UV selective varnish

Varnish thickness: 10-15 microns.

Recommendations:

Do not varnish "bleed" (varnished objects must not extend into the bleed area) or on creases – the varnish may crack, especially on larger elements. The exception is small elements, where cracks are barely visible.

It is prohibited to varnish in the same places on the front and back to prevent varnish imprinting, sticking of sheets, and cutting issues.

3D raised selective varnish

25-35 microns (tactile).

Single-sided varnishing only.

Varnishing is possible only on one side (front). 

Recommendations:

Do not varnish "bleed" (varnished objects must not extend into the bleed area) – this may cause the varnish to chip during cutting.

Files with a mask in the bleed area are processed at the client's own risk.

Avoid varnishing in creasing areas.

Areas intended for Liquid Gold or Liquid Silver metallization should be placed on a separate page,  as a mask  100%K  (black).

Prepare a three-page PDF file in which: Page 1: front, Page 2: back, Page 3: Liquid Metal for front.

Areas intended for metallization must not contain shades of gray – even light grays will be automatically converted to black and covered with metallic ink.

Requirements and notes for Liquid Gold/Silver metallized elements

Minimum element dimensions:

• For positive: elements should not be thinner than 0.4 mm.
• For negative: elements should not be thinner than 0.6 mm.
• Minimum font size: 10 pt.
• Minimum distance between elements: 0.5 mm.

Registration accuracy:

• Possible shift relative to print is up to 0.3 mm.

Warnings

• It is not recommended to design the Liquid Metal effect in the bleed area or on creases, as the metallic foil may crack or chip at edges and folds.
• Coverage non-uniformity – on larger elements or solid areas, uneven coverage may occur.
• Due to possible shifts (0.3 mm), do not remove or knock out background graphics in the CMYK design (leave background/graphics/color under the mask)
• The page with the background design should not contain repeated mask elements.

Types of embossing

1. Raised embossing – elements raised on the front, recessed on the back.
2. Recessed embossing – elements recessed on the front, back remains smooth (not embossed).

General rules

The file with elements for Embossing should be on a separate page in the file (the last one). Prepare an additional page containing the areas intended for embossing, marked with a single color K 100% (black).

File naming: When sending separate files, make sure the names clearly indicate their purpose, 
e.g. front / back / embossing mask

General requirements for embossing

• Minimum element thickness: 0.8 mm.
• Minimum distance between elements (gap): 0.8 mm.
• Minimum font size: 16 pt.
• Accepted graphic formats: vector and raster.

Raised embossing

Embossing characteristics:

• Raised embossing on the front, recessed on the back.
• Embossing only in a specified area (embossing field: 77x45 mm).
• No possibility of embossing in the bleed area.
• Before starting the design, download the template for embossed business cards (available in the calculator after selecting the embossing option Embossing area template)

Recessed embossing

Embossing characteristics:

• Recessed embossing on the front, back remains smooth.
• Maximum embossing area: 100x200 mm.
• Possibility of embossing up to the edge with a registration tolerance of +/- 1 mm.

Notes on paper and the effect of recessed embossing

• Best paper: WILD 450 g/m², bulked. Ideal for embossing large letters and graphic elements.
• On other papers: It is recommended to emboss smaller elements (e.g., fonts, small objects).
• Background: Embossing looks better on solid areas, especially dark ones. On a white background, the effect may be less visible.
• For large graphic objects, it is better to use lines instead of solid fills.

Special notes for embossing

• When registering embossing with print, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.
• Embossing non-printed elements gives an interesting effect and eliminates registration issues between print and embossing.