DESIGNING

A good design is absolutely critical to a successful brand identity program. By combining contemporary technology and the most effective processes, we will assist you in either creating or enhancing a design that will have your company standing above the rest.

ENGRAVING / INTAGLIO PRINTING

For centuries, engraving's unique embossed appearance and feel has been considered the process of choice for conveying the highest level of professionalism and good taste. The process begins with producing an etched metal plate with a recessed image. Next, the ink is applied to the recessed areas, making sure that any excess is removed. The paper is then stamped with intense pressure creating beautifully raised areas of print or images with vivid opaque color, clarity, and depth. Engraving has the legendary ability to reproduce fine lines with a distinctive tactile feel. For this reason, it has long been the process of choice for currency, diplomas, and law firm stationery as it adds an important level of security and cannot be duplicated in any other way.

FOIL STAMPING

This specialty printing process is applied by heating an etched plate with the desired image and then stamping the image onto the paper with a special film backed foil positioned between the heated plate and the paper. These dynamic images can be stamped in shiny or dull metallic colors, pigmented colors, or holographic foils. The opacity of the foiled image also presents well on dark stock. It can be further enhanced by embossing the foil to give it a three dimensional look and feel.

EMBOSSING / DEBOSSING

As both pleasing to the eye and tactile to the touch, this process involves administering pressure to an etched metal plate in order to mold and reshape paper into a three dimensional shape. This creates an elegant, understated, yet distinctive impression. Embossing bumps the impression up on the paper and debossing pushes the image down into the paper. Other processes such as engraving, foil stamping, and printing can also be applied to further enhance the image.

LETTERPRESS

Although considerably better quality, the process of Letterpress can be compared to the operation of a rubber stamp. An impression of the desired image is made on a metal or photopolymer plate. This plate is then coated with ink, and stamped onto the paper. Depending on the customer's preference, the transference of the ink can create either a slight or dramatic debossing. By today's standards, more debossing is preferred as to give the tactile feel desired.

LITHOGRAPHY / OFFSET PRINTING

Single Color to 4-Color Process
Sometimes referred to as flat printing, this traditional printing process involves affixing a flat plate containing the desired image to the cylinder on a printing press. When ink is applied, the image transfers from the plate, to a rubber blanket, and then onto the paper. One and two color Lithography is often used on secondary items where the appearance is not as critical. While 4-Color Process Lithography can become so crisp that it can give the appearance of a photograph.

VARIABLE DATA DIGITAL PRINTING

Single Color to 4-Color Process
This process can duplicate Lithography but at a much lower price for smaller jobs. It is ideal for items requiring variable data such as diplomas or promotional mailings. Produced on high-end digital equipment, it allows for either a varnish highlight on an image or printing a white background on colored stock and then overlaying the image on top of the white background. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for designers and businesses alike.

WIDE FORMAT PRINTING

Produced on high end digital ink jet printers, large rolls of paper can be printed to produce long images used for items such as posters and banners.