Metallic Letterpress

I am looking for someone to do a 3color process (metallic) 4.75”w X 6.75”h, qty 350. The paper has been cut to size we are just looking for a printer.

Please call me anytime, seriously even if it’s 2am :)
Veronica
610-737-9262

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I know you haven’t asked for advice on the job, but just thought I would say a few things to, perhaps, help you avoid a dissapointing outcome.

Metallic inks (i.e. silver or gold), are opaque. Process jobs require transparent inks to make different combinations of colors. If you want a metallic look, put the metallic ink down first and then use regular transparent process inks over that.

To get the best metallic look, you need to use the smoothest possible paper (coated paper). Paper with a rough surface will not give you much of a metallic look.

Hi Veronica,

I think what you’re asking for is a 3-colour metallic letterpress job, using 3 different metallic inks. You can letterpress metallics on any paper, but know that you’ll lose most of that metallic feel as it soaks into the paper (more so on a cotton paper, less so on a smooth stock, as Geoffrey noted above). If you definitely want letterpress, did you try looking for a letterpress printer in your area? Of course there is always Boxcar Press which does fantastic work and you can ship your paper, upload your artwork and then they ship pretty much anywhere (boxcarpress.com).

If you want a true metallic look, similar to what is quite popular this year, you might want to consider a foil stamp. In that case, you would search under “foil” or “engraver” in your area.

Finally, there are printers that letterpress in foil, but there are considerably fewer. Sorry, but I don’t have any references for those.

Regardless of which route you choose, be warned that a 3-colour job will be pricey as there is quite a bit of labor involved.

Hope this helps and good luck,
Michelle

One thing you can do that has worked for me when printing metallic inks on uncoated papers is printing an undercoat to seal the paper first. I use gloss varnish since I figure this will seal more thoroughly than regular ink and give a smoother surface. Other suggestions I’ve seen before are to underprint a complimentary color (opaque white under silver, yellow under gold, etc.) to help the metallic “pop” more. I’ve never tried this but I understand that it was once quite commonly done.

Note that this would increase the cost some as you’re adding another pass to the job, making it functionally a four-color print.

Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN

Thank you all that called. I will be intouch with those that left a message.

Have a great weekend!!!!