Printing Processes

Thermography

Thermography is a printing process that creates special raised effects in printing stationery 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.

LaserRazeT is a special heat-resistant thermography product designed specifically for use with laser printers. Our LaserRazeT thermography is available in any ink color and carries the Orange Creative Solutions quality guarantee.

Embossing

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

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).

Foil Embossing

Foil Embossing (also referred to as Hot Leaf Embossing) is a combination of both the Embossing and Foil Stamping processes. This can be done in two steps (as illustrated in the individual definitions of "Embossing" and "Foil Hotstamping"), or using a foil emboss, or "Hot Leaf" emboss die. A Foil Emboss Die can also be single or multiple dimensional. This process required both heat and pressure to push the design through the back of the paper into the foil and die at the same time. The resulting effect is a raised metallic image on the front of the paper.

Engraving

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

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.

Die Cutting

Die Cutting is a finishing process in which a knife-die is used to cut into the finished paper using pressure. This process is generally used for business card slits, rolodex cards, windows, or custom cut-outs (such as a business card cut into the shape of a house).

Digital Printing

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. 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.

Special Inks

Orange Creative Solutions is able to produce many products in a variety of special inks that customers request within a spot color printing process. Whether in registration or not, our custom inks department is able to match nearly every ink combination available beyond our standard inks.