Thermography is a printing process that creates special raised effects in printing stationary without the high cost of engraving dies. After inks are applied to paper, the printed piece is dusted with a powdered substance. The powder sticks to all inked areas and is removed by suction on all non–inked areas. The inked sheet then passes underneath heat lamps that fuse the powdered substance to the ink–thus creating the raised appearance.
LaserRaze™ is a special heat-resistant thermography product designed specifically for use with laser printers. LaserRaze™ thermography is available in any ink color.
Embossing is generally an ink free process in which a design or text is pushed into the back of the paper using pressure. This is typically done using a metallic die and a counter die. The counter die forces the paper into the shape of the die from the back side of the paper. The resulting appearance on the front of the paper is a raised representation of the intended design. This design can either be single level (a one dimensional raised design) or multiple level (a three dimensional design done with a brass die). This process can also be done in register with ink or foil in some instances.
Foil stamping, also known as hot stamping, is a process involving heat and pressure along with metallic foil material to stamp a design or text onto the front of the paper. The look of the finished product is similar to an ink, but is generally very shiny in appearance (although some pigment or matte foils are available). This process is also done using a metallic die and is one dimensional (flat).
Engraving is a process using pressure and ink that resembles embossing in nature. Ink is coated over a die with an image or text etched into it. The excess ink around the non-imaging area of the die is wiped clean. The remaining ink resides only in the printable area of the die. This image is then pressed into the front of the paper. The resulting appearance is a slightly raised ink.
Lithography (flat printing) is a printing process in which the image area is neither raised nor depressed. Ink adheres to the image area and is repelled by the non–image area. Offset printing presses most often are used to transfer the image from a plate to a rubber blanket. The image is then printed from the blanket on the printing press to the paper.
Digital printing is any type of printing process that utilizes electronic files to produce a printed piece from dots of ink or toner. The printed piece is created directly from a computer file without the need for film or conventional printing plates.
The Pleasing Color Standard
The full color line from Carlson Craft
Business Solutions offers our customers an inexpensive alternative to
traditional four-color process printing. All full color products are produced
using a digital full color process. Each order is grouped with other orders to
allow us to offer the best price. During this process, color variations may
occur. Because of this, we cannot guarantee that the colors on each order will
match the original artwork or a previous sample. Our goal is to provide our
customers with pleasing color which is a close representation of the original
photograph or sample. While we are often able to closely reproduce a PMS ink
(spot) color, PMS spot colors and process colors are produced using different
methods. Please refer to a Pantone Process Color Imaging Guide for color conversions.
