How Metallic Enhancement Ink Improves Direct Mail Design

A big part of the direct mail printing process is creating a direct mail design that catches the attention of the recipient and makes them want to learn more about your company.  Custom metallic printing elevates your direct mail design thanks to our Xerox® Iridesse Production Press that adds compelling iridescent effects to your digital printing. This process combines four-color CMYK imagery with up to two different specialty dry inks (such as gold, silver, and clear) all from a single digital print run!

In general, metallic ink printing uses custom printing ink that contains reflective metal particles that deliver a metallic sheen. These metal elements normally consist of bronze, copper, zinc, or aluminum while the actual ink comes in pure metallic colors such as gold, silver, red, blue, bronze, or a combination of colors and tints. This kind of ink is a spot color which means it is often pre-mixed for use with a single printing plate (as opposed to the traditional four plates used when printing on a press).

Once the ink is dry, the printed materials have a greater color and shine that make them stand out whether it is used on branding logos, packaging, apparel, signs, business cards, or labels. Please note that metallic ink provides results that are more subtle than foil stamping. It also comes in more color variations and can be a more affordable option.

Things to Consider When Using Metallic Ink for Direct Mail

Once you make the decision to produce a metallic color and ink printing project, you need to do some research before deciding on a design, color, or ink. The first step is to make sure you are working with a printer that is experienced. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples of their previous work or a mockup of your design in order to ensure the success of your project.  For example, Baldwin Press specializes in metallic ink printing and our experts can assist with any of your metallic printing needs. 

Be clear about what you are looking for with your design plans. You don’t want to start over when you were certain the project was almost complete. Keep your coating options in mind and don’t try to cut corners to save on costs. Your coating options are key to giving your direct mail piece that extra push to stand out to consumers.

Benefits of Using Metallic Inks with Direct Mail

The use of metallic inks in your next direct mail design offers multiple benefits and they include:

• Maximum vibrancy and sparkle thanks to silver or gold underlay (and even silver) when used as an underlay tone.
• Metallic ink is more cost-effective than metallic foil because no special rollers or plates are necessary with metallic ink printing. They give your final product the sparkle and upgrade you desire.
• Multiple metallic colors can be used to match your current brand colors. 
• Metallic inks work on a variety of paper colors and types. Ask your printer about the best paper choice to get the final look you want at a cost-effective price.

Next Steps for Printing Your Direct Mail with Metallic Ink

Metallic inks live up to their name as they contain actual flakes of metal. These flakes form together as the ink dries (in a process known as leafing) to produce a shiny metal layer on the surface of a paper.

This process is ideal for creating the shiniest look on very smooth papers with a lot of ink on the surface.  Rough papers, or papers that absorb a lot of ink, won’t enjoy the same luster as smooth papers.

Using metallic inks for thin lines or fine point text isn’t ideal as the metallic shine effect doesn’t work as well. They are best used on big areas of color, fonts, and graphics. Plus, the heat from a laser printer can peel leafing metal inks off the page and they can even build up in your printer which could result in a costly replacement of rollers or a fuser. 

Now that you have the information you need about the benefits of metallic inks, it’s time to work on your next direct mail campaign.

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