What's the best way to print a white image on black?
September 9, 2010 11:37 AM Subscribe
Looking for the best way to print an intricate white image on black paper.
1. The stock has to be acid-free with sticky back. Currently these are designed to be about 2x3" but if another size was considered a stock size and wouldn't require additional customization or cuts, I could resize the image. The final order will be for about 1000 of these and I want them to have a very high-quality look and feel.
2. It doesn't HAVE to be opaque white ink on black paper, but I want to make sure that the black is evenly black and not streaky or irregular because the majority of the image is a simple black background.
3. The image itself involves some text and a small photo-realistic image that needs to be printed clearly so it doesn't look like a smudge (but does not need any ink color other than white).
So what process will give me the best results? Thermography? Engraving? Letterpress? (It doesn't have to be raised ink.) If you have printer suggestions near LA, let me know. Otherwise, if you have any questions or want to see the image you can contact me at this throw-away: disposableprintingpress@gmail.com
(Anon because this is a gift for another Mefite.)
1. The stock has to be acid-free with sticky back. Currently these are designed to be about 2x3" but if another size was considered a stock size and wouldn't require additional customization or cuts, I could resize the image. The final order will be for about 1000 of these and I want them to have a very high-quality look and feel.
2. It doesn't HAVE to be opaque white ink on black paper, but I want to make sure that the black is evenly black and not streaky or irregular because the majority of the image is a simple black background.
3. The image itself involves some text and a small photo-realistic image that needs to be printed clearly so it doesn't look like a smudge (but does not need any ink color other than white).
So what process will give me the best results? Thermography? Engraving? Letterpress? (It doesn't have to be raised ink.) If you have printer suggestions near LA, let me know. Otherwise, if you have any questions or want to see the image you can contact me at this throw-away: disposableprintingpress@gmail.com
(Anon because this is a gift for another Mefite.)
I could do this on my work Epson printer, printing the design in black on white label paper, and that's the kind of thing you'd want to find at a local quick-print shop (Kinkos or the like). If you can find a printer that delivers thick enough black coverage, create your file as black and white, and instead of using just black, make it a process color image (CMYK) and make your black "rich black," which is black with 10% - 20% added cyan, magenta and yellow. Ask for a test print or two if you need to refine the mix.
I realize that may be kind of unclear, sorry...message me if you like and I can explain it better.
posted by TochterAusElysium at 12:30 PM on September 9, 2010
I realize that may be kind of unclear, sorry...message me if you like and I can explain it better.
posted by TochterAusElysium at 12:30 PM on September 9, 2010
Well, but screen printing isn't necessarily the best for a tiny, intricate image, or for that volume. Screen resolutions are often too coarse to handle little things like the serifs on a 10-pt font.
What's your budget? Since you're doing 1000, regular old offset printing sounds like it would do the job. Offset gives very even coverage. I think you'd probably get better results with black ink on white stock, but you could talk to the printer about that.
As for finding an offset printer, I have no idea who's in LA, but you want a shop that'll do smallish runs. I'd look for someone who does business cards. Or, there's always Pinball Publishing, based in Portland. They'd charge you about $200 (maybe a little more, considering the special stock) plus shipping.
I think it's likely that letterpress would be more expensive, but it would certainly produce nice results.
Also, if you're making what I think you're making--maybe a custom rubber stamp would be nice instead?
posted by the_blizz at 2:16 PM on September 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
What's your budget? Since you're doing 1000, regular old offset printing sounds like it would do the job. Offset gives very even coverage. I think you'd probably get better results with black ink on white stock, but you could talk to the printer about that.
As for finding an offset printer, I have no idea who's in LA, but you want a shop that'll do smallish runs. I'd look for someone who does business cards. Or, there's always Pinball Publishing, based in Portland. They'd charge you about $200 (maybe a little more, considering the special stock) plus shipping.
I think it's likely that letterpress would be more expensive, but it would certainly produce nice results.
Also, if you're making what I think you're making--maybe a custom rubber stamp would be nice instead?
posted by the_blizz at 2:16 PM on September 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
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Otherwise, the only method I can think of that will deliver the quality you want is screen printing.
posted by overeducated_alligator at 12:00 PM on September 9, 2010