Visual effects – no limits

Simplicity at its best! On this CrownBoard Prestige 170 gsm sheet, a subtle 3D-sculptured embossing is applied on a CMYK offset printed illustration. That’s it.

Less is more. But more is more, too! This CrownBoard Prestige 200 gsm folded die-cut effect sample is filled with applications. The fully coated top side has plain CMYK black with a high-gloss UV varnish, while the light-coated back carries a graded offset black in combination with screen printed glossy black and an embossed micro-engraved metal hotfoil.

Make your visuals come alive. In the CrownBoard swatchbook, parts of this image of a crystal are embossed – raised in relief from the flat surface to create a sense of 3D. The effect is visual as well as tactile. To jazz it up even more, we have applied a glossy UV spot varnish to the protruding parts and metallic flakes in other areas for the shine – to emphasize differences in various surface textures.

The reverse side of CrownBoard Craft offers interesting design possibilities. For printing, use inks and foils that are much lighter or much darker than the brown surface. It is the contrast that is important. For instance, silver-foil text is a beautiful effect – elegant meets rough. Embossing on this brown side also makes a surprisingly cool impression.

There are times when less is more. When minimalism makes a stronger visual impression. When simple graphic beauty is more powerful than bells and whistles. This way, the properties of the board material becomes part of the design and the overall impression. Consider enhancing the blackness in the black lines by using all CMYK process inks. Black on black, that is dark!

What about an essential colour palette for marine life? Mark the highlight with UV spot varnish to bring out a gleam of the wet paint. The brush stroke is one of the pieces in the swatchbook, showing glossy varnish in combination with 4-colour offset printing.

All three CrownBoard qualities are suited for digital printing. In small print runs, this option gets you excellent print results for less money. The print surface of our cartonboard handles a wide colour gamut and gives you life-like colour reproduction even in very demanding images.

Sometimes ordinary 4-colour offset printing just is not enough. You want a closer likeness to the printed object, a better mimicry of the feel and texture of a surface. To achieve that in this picture of a seashell we applied mother-of-pearl hotfoil and glossy spot UV varnish.

This eye-popping design is built of 4-colour offset print, foil and effect varnish. It’s gloss on gloss – it’s honey like you have never seen it before. Besides grabbing attention and creating interest, the purpose is to simulate the richness of the honey and add a dimension to the visual impression.

Clever use of techniques does not stop at what you actually see, but what sensations and associations you can trigger. The pale blue shades, the subtle glitter of the varnish and the high-white background create a cold ambience that you can almost feel. Winter, ice bergs and high altitudes.

For this image, a limited colour palette is used. It’s a duplex – just black and one solid (pantone) ink – which gives the print an understated, yet complex quality. Printed on Prestige, the high whiteness and gloss lift the contrast and sharp detail. On Artisan, with its silky surface, the impression instead appears softer.