What's the difference between soft touch coating and soft touch lamination? Both aim for that soft, tactile surface, but they are applied differently and perform differently, especially on dark or heavily inked desig… Read answer What is Raised Spot UV and how does it differ from regular printing? Raised Spot UV is a specialty finishing technique that builds up a clear, glossy layer over specific parts of your design, creating a textur… Read answer Should I use lamination on both sides if only one side has colored printing? If the piece will see handling or wear, laminating both sides is worth it even when only one side carries full-color printing. The back-side… Read answer Is it possible to embrosse on top of printed black ink? Yes, embossing can be applied over printed areas, including printed black ink. The raised effect and the ink coexist, so you can add dimensi… Read answer What is the finished size of a scored and folded card? For a scored and folded card, the finished folded size is typically half of the unfolded flat size, since the score line divides the sheet d… Read answer What size is A5, and how does it differ from standard sizes? A5 is an international paper size that runs slightly larger than the common 5.5" x 8.5" size used in the U.S. As long as your file is set up… Read answer What's the difference between matte coated and semi-coated paper? The difference comes down to how much sheen sits on the surface. Both are coated papers, but they land at different points on the shine scal… Read answer Can very small design elements be printed with gold foil? Very small or thin design elements can be tricky with gold foil stamping, because fine details may not transfer cleanly and can lose legibil… Read answer Is 13oz smooth blockout vinyl a matte or glossy finish? 13oz smooth blockout vinyl has a dull, matte look and feel rather than a glossy one. Its construction is what produces that non-reflective s… Read answer What is the difference between standard gloss and high gloss UV coating? The two are related but not the same. Standard gloss describes the paper itself, while a Hi-Gloss UV coating is an extra layer applied on to… Read answer Can raised spot UV be applied to uncoated cardstock? No. Raised spot UV needs a sealed, coated surface to hold the raised gloss, so it cannot be applied to uncoated or cotton stocks. Those surf… Read answer Can I use laser cutting for thick cardstock like 24pt ultra-thick stock? Laser cutting is not the right method for ultra-thick cardstock at 24pt and above. The thickness resists a clean laser cut, so those jobs ne… Read answer What happens if I print with very heavy ink coverage on soft touch stock? Very heavy ink coverage on soft touch stock can work against the finish. The velvety surface is delicate, so dense ink can reduce that signa… Read answer Will linen paper show scuff marks when die-cut? Yes, it can. Linen has a woven texture, and when it is die-cut against solid, dark background colors, scuff marks can appear along the cut a… Read answer What is the difference between Gloss and Uncoated cover stock? The main difference is the surface coating and the look it gives your print. Gloss reflects light for a vivid, polished result, while uncoat… Read answer Can foil printing be combined with colored card stock? Yes. Foil pairs well with a variety of stocks, including metallic and colored papers, which lets you build custom, high-contrast finishes. M… Read answer Does UV gloss coating make paper too stiff to roll? No. UV gloss coating is a thin varnish that sits on the surface of the paper, so it adds shine without adding meaningful thickness or rigidi… Read answer What paper should I use if I want to print a QR code? For QR codes, the paper surface matters as much as the print. Heavily textured stocks can interfere with a reliable scan, so smoother is bet… Read answer What happens to text during the embossing process? Embossing presses your design into the paper, so a small amount of movement is expected as the emboss die makes contact. Text and fine eleme… Read answer Is 14pt Gloss Cover stock thick enough for ID badges? 14pt Gloss Cover is on the thinner side, but it can be used for ID badges. Whether it is sturdy enough depends on how the badge will be worn… Read answer What paper type should I choose for a matte finish heavy card stock? For a matte look on a heavy card, choose an uncoated stock. Uncoated has no shine, and it is available in heavier weights that give you the … Read answer What paper should I use for a matte finish with a premium thickness and cream color? For a soft, matte look with real heft and a warm off-white tone, a cream uncoated stock is a strong pick. It combines three qualities that a… Read answer What does lamination add to cards-does it increase stiffness or just protect the print? Lamination is mainly a protective layer. It bonds a thin film to the surface of the card to guard the printing against wear, moisture, and h… Read answer Can I write on uncoated soft touch paper with ink-based pens? Yes. Uncoated soft touch paper has an unsealed, matte surface, so ink-based pens write on it easily. Works with: ballpoint, rollerball, and … Read answer
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