How to Print Metallic Ink Over Black Ink Offset
Metallic inks, used on offset presses, are basically a suspension of metal particles in a clear suspension of varnish. Because they lack opacity, do not plan on printing them over black ink as the results will look muddy at best. When printed pieces appear to have metallic ink printed over black they are really printed with metallic ink directly on the paper. Black is printed to fill in around the metallic ink image to create the illusion of metallic on black. The metallic image may also be foil stamped over the offset black ink as a finishing process.
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Things You'll Need
- Graphics software program
- Artwork for metallic printing plate
- Artwork for black printing plate
- Metallic printing plate
- Black printing plate
- Metallic ink
- Black ink
- Varnish
- Foil stamp die
- Metal stamping foil
Instructions
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Create the image that will print in metallic ink or be foil stamped using the graphics software program of your choice. Make sure that artwork for the metallic layer is not too thin and delicate, or it may fall apart when reversed out of black or foil stamped. Inkscape, Gimp, Gimpshop, Paint.net, Open Office Draw and Scribus are excellent free and open-source alternatives to commercial software like Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
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Reverse out the image you created from the artwork for your black layer. Your graphics package will have an option for this in one of the menus. A reverse, in this instance, is simply an area that matches your metallic imprint. The paper will be left white (or whatever color) and will not be printed with black ink.
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Have your printer print the metallic layer first. He will prepare a printing plate from the artwork you submit for this purpose. The metallic ink image will appear to float on the printing paper.
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Print the black layer next from a plate made from the reverse black artwork you prepared. The black ink will fill in around the metallic ink to make the image look as though it was printed on a solid black background. Your printer may actually print the black layer in two passes to yield a rich black that is not always achievable with one pass through the press.
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Apply a coat of matte or gloss varnish or other protective coating to the entire surface. Metallic inks tarnish and can rub off, and solid black ink backgrounds will fingerprint easily if not coated after printing.
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Consider foil stamping as alternative to printing metallic ink. With foil stamping you will not have to reverse an image out of your black printed background as it will be adhered over the top. Foil stamping is actually a post-printing finish process. A die is made from your artwork and then with heat and pressure applied a backing on the foil melts where the die engages it and glues the image to surface. Excess material is blown off with air pressure.
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Tips & Warnings
Coated white paper stocks are best for reverses and metallic printing because they have no color, and ink is held on the surface and will not seep into the paper as is natural with uncoated stocks.
Metal foils come in all metal colors and a variety of textures. Your printer can buy them ranging from translucent to highly opaque.
Depending on the type of press your printer uses, your printer may run all layers at once. A four-color press, for example, will run the metallic ink layer, two passes of black if needed, and a varnish coat at the same time.
Less is more when it comes to metallic inks and foils. If you use too much in a design, the piece can quickly start looking garish and unpleasant.
