Design & Style Advice: Spot UV

Depends a lot on what type of final design you would like to have
Keep in mind, there is absolutely no difference to the instructions of how to upload a Spot UV file.

blind spot uv vs ink spot uv

Use it for text

Spot UV is excellent to create a wide background design on the card. How you want that background design to be incorporated into the business card can go in two separate main ways.
1. Notice the text first, the Spot UV second:
2. Notice the Spot UV first, the text second:
This will look almost as though

Honeycomb
Honeycomb can extend across the background of the card
A popular pattern with Spot UV is a honeycomb pattern. This pattern is paired with this finishing option the most out of all other choices.

Create the logo with Spot UV
The logo with Spot UV will make you more eye-catching.

Geometric Design
When you have geometric designs on your business card, Spot Uv can make it a more 3D look on it.

How do I add depth to my design using Spot UV?
Depending on illustration and Spot UV design, your business card can have depth
This works especially well with illustrations. An illustration across one side of the card can set up the basis for depth.

White Spot UV?
There is no white Spot UV. All Spot UV is transparent. However, since the Spot UV is transparent, if you apply it over the card with no ink printed color underneath (blind Spot UV), and achieve the same “white Spot UV” look. If you wish to emphasize this aspect of your card, add a background color to every part except the Spot UV area.

What printed colors should I use?
Spot UV looks good against any type of coloring, but the look that works best for your design depends on what you want the final look to be.
-Most Spot UV designs MorningPrint receives have dark printed colors.
-Light, neutral colors tend to have a more subtle Spot UV because it is transparent.
-Spot UV looks good against the light, bright colors as well

Design of the Month: November 2018

1. Name: Lindsey Campbell

2. Company Name: Hello Hydrangea

3. Website: hellohydrangea.com

4. Business Contact Email: info@hellohydrangea.com

Screenshot_20181105-102137_Instagram

5. Please give us a brief history of your business and some of the services you provide.
Hello Hydrangea is a creative business that creates online video classes about fiber arts. I have taught thousands of students around the world how to weave and macrame, among other lessons. I also design and sell home decor collections and I have worked with companies such as Anthropologie, Nordstrom and JoAnn Crafts.

6. Why did you select Glossy Silver Foiling?
I created my logo in glossy silver foil on top of a detail shop of some of my work on the front of my business card to make it stand out.

Screenshot_20181105-102329_Instagram

7. Can you tell us the inspiration behind the logo?
I hand painted my logo when I started weaving a few years ago. It is a symbol of woven tapestries and is a reflection of the handmade element in my work.

8. What made you choose Standard Coated 14pt Matte?
I wanted my business cards to be thick and contrast to the glossy silver foil.

9. What is your favorite part of your business card?
I love the silver foil on the front and the two sides of color printing. I also have a frosted and silver foil care/instructions card that I include in my handmade woven goods packages.

Screenshot_20181105-102245_Instagram

10. What made you choose MorningPrint?
I have been ordering my business cards from MorningPrint since last year when I found them while searching for an affordable printing option to make a business card that would stand out. I love their unique options, great prices and quick turnaround!

11. How was your experience with MorningPrint? Would you recommend us to others?
My experience with MorningPrint has been amazing. It’s amazing that I can place an order for a few hundred thick, double sided color business cards with silver foiling and the finished cards will be on my door four days later! I recommend them to everyone I know. If you have a vision, you can make it happen with MorningPrint

Inquiry: info@themorningprint.com

What You Need to Know: Foiling

Foil business cards are one of the most popular requests clients make. However, within this finishing option alone, there are many ways to customize your design.

Foil Red

What is Foiling?
Foil is a shiny metal that adds a shiny, bold color to designated areas of your design. It can be used to highlight important information, such as a name, or used as a design element.
Foiling is a 2-D, flat finishing option. That means if you are looking for a finishing option which gives the illusion of depth, we would not recommend on relying on Foiling.

Foil Glossy Gold Border

How do you apply it?
This is still at least partly a manual process. We create a plate of your Foiling design and then someone manually places your order of cards into the machine. If your order is 200 cards, all 200 go in at once. Then we start the machine to stamp each card with your Foiling.
Since the machine relies on a person manually putting the entire order at once into the machine, it can lead to difficulty in predicting alignment outcome.

Can You Explain Oversize Foiling?
We have two different Foiling sizes, a Standard and Oversized. Standard sizing means that your Foiling will stay within 1.57x.79 inches (40×20 mm). Anything larger than this size will be considered Oversized. An Oversized Foiling design requires a bigger plate, which will increase the cost of producing the design.

Foil Glossy Silver Scattered

I only have a little bit of Foiling, how is it considered Oversized?
Since we use a plate to stamp your Foiling, if your Foiling goes outside the Standard sizing then we will need to create a bigger plate to accomplish your design. Therefore, it will still be considered Oversized, which will lead to an increase in price.
This happens quite often when a Foiling design is made up of small details, scattered across the card.

Foil Pink

Can I get Foiling going to the edge or close to the edge?
Yes
But this will be more expensive than a normal Oversized Foiling. Since Foiling is stamped on, the machine needs space to hold down the card to stamp the Foiling. If you have Foiling going all the way to the edge of a card, you may not leave any room for the machine to hold down the card. In this case, we need to use extra paper and even more Foiling to give the machine enough space to stamp the design onto the card. Then afterwards we will cut your cards down to your chosen size.
We recommend that you give enough time in your timeline to discuss your plan with our printing team before you place your order.

Foil Glossy Gold

How perfect is MorningPrint’s alignment?
Pretty perfect, but we can not guarantee it each time.
As we explained above, stamping on Foiling is still partly a manual process. Therefore if you want to have perfect alignment, we can not guarantee that it will exactly perfect. We will certainly do our best each time.

Foil Blue

Can MorningPrint add two Foiling colors on the card?
Yes
Having two different Foiling colors requires creating two different plates, to stamp the cards twice. Sometimes, a client wants to have two Foiling colors close together. This is possible, but keep in mind, you will need to take time speaking with the printing team to discuss any risk of misalignment. In the past we have achieved perfect alignment, but there is no guarantee it will be perfect for your order.

Foil Matte Gold Corner

What is the MorningPrint Foiling paper?
We do not have one specific Foiling paper. You can have Foiling on just about any of our over 50 different paper selections.
Some papers are more off white and creamy, like Nouveau, Heavy Nouveau, Sumo Nouveau, Aquarelle and Heavy Aquarelle. Off white papers naturally tend to be warmer.
If you choose to use Glossy Gold Foil, or Matte Gold Foil, you will be accentuating the off white and warm undertones, maybe to the point of looking a little yellow. If this is not your goal, but you would like to use one of these papers, we might recommend including a background color, or a design with multiple colors.
Other papers, like Silky Matte, Heavy Silky Matte, Linen and Heavy Linen, are a crisp, bright white. These cards will always look like a bright, matte white. If you use colder colors, like green and blue, then the card will ultimately look cold. This could be useful in more modern designs. If this is not your goal, but you want one of these papers, then we would recommend adding a background color or a design with multiple colors.

Foil Green

What Foiling colors do you offer?
Glossy Gold, Matte Gold, Glossy Silver, Matte Silver, Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Black, Bronze, Hologram and Pearl

Does MorningPrint color the Foiling?
No
Unlike other printers, we do NOT start with silver Foiling and paint it a color.

Will the color fade away?
No

Foil Matte Gold

What is Glossy Gold and what is Matte Gold Foiling?
Glossy Gold is highly reflective and is the exact color of yellow gold jewelry
Matte Gold has almost no shine, at certain angles it will have a slight glow. Matte Gold also tends to have an orange tint in it’s coloring.

Is the Hologram Foiling all the colors in the rainbow or is it selective (like just the blues or just the reds)?
In general, our Foiling shows the entire rainbow of colors.
However, we have noticed that if the design is narrow or made up of thin lines, it can be harder to see the full rainbow. In this instance, the Hologram Foiling looks more like a range of blues.

Foil Hologram

Inquiry: info@themorningprint.com

Design of the Month: October 2018

1. Name: Caitlyn Humphreys

2. Company Name: The Same

3. Website: Portfolio- chumfries.brushd.com
Store- hazya.etsy.com

4. Business Contact Email: chumfries@gmail.com

Design of the Month October 2018

5. Please give us a brief history of your business and some of the services you provide.
Hi! My name is Caitlyn Humphreys, and I work as a freelance animator and illustrator! I also own my own etsy store, where I sell enamel pins!

6. What was the inspiration for your design?
For my branding, I’ve been using concept art from my film, Brambles- it’s one of my favourite illustrations, and the colour scheme suits me quite well. It has a good ‘feeling’, I feel like the piece appeals to people, so they remember my card and are interested in picking it up when I’m at conventions.

7. We get many questions about our Spot UV. Would you like to share your opinion about the final result of the Spot UV?
I love Spot UV for creating depth in illustrations! The difference in colour between coated printing was on coated paper, so I wanted to try a variation that used Spot UV selectively.
Coated paper really makes darker colours pop, but I like how lighter colours are in uncoated paper, so Spot UV gives me the best of both worlds. I love how it turned out!
I’ve also used Spot UV a few times in other projects as well to create ‘invisible’ elements, that are present in Spot UV and not present in the actual printed design, and I love how interactive the experience of looking at the card becomes – it kind of feels a little more like a secret shared between the giver and receiver of the card. 😉

8. What do you think of the Standard Coated 14pt Matte paper? Do you like the soft touch feeling?
I love it! The contrast between it and Spot UV is fantastic.

Design of the Month October 2018 Faraway

9. How did you choose Hologram Foiling over Silver?
I wanted silver, but I wanted it to have a little more pizazz! The different colours you can find in the foil makes it more fun for the person who has your business card, which encourages them to interact with it more!

10. What is your favorite part of your business card?
I love how the illustration turned out with the Spot UV

11. What made you choose MorningPrint?
Your huge range of options Many places only offer gold silver foiling, and you have an enourmouse variety of options, and each is very clearly laid out! It makes it easy to know what is achievable, and what you should plan for in your design. Also your turnaround is fantastic! Thank you for all your hard work.

12. How was your experience with MorningPrint? Would you recommend us to others?
Of course! I already have 😉

Design of the Month October 2018 Cards

Inquiry: info@themorningprint.com

What You Need to Know: The Difference Between Raised Ink and Spot UV

Our custom center and phone calls tend to ask similar questions regarding Spot UV and Raised Ink. Many assume these two different techniques are the same thing, when the truth is, they are not.

What is Spot UV?
Spot UV is a glossy, transparent lamination that lies flat on the designated portions of your text or design.
Spot UV is created by applying a glossy clear coating . We use a UV light to dry the Spot UV instantly.

Can I have a raised Spot UV?
There is no raised Spot UV. Continue reading because you could be looking for Raised Ink.

Differences Between Raised Ink and Spot UV Red Spot UV

What is Raised Ink?
Raised Ink is a raised glossy transparent material which is placed over designated portions of text or design. Raised Ink can be clearly seen and felt.
Raised Ink is created by placing powder on designated portions of the design and text. The card with the powder then passes through a heater which causes the Raised Ink to turn into a transparent, glossy, raised gel.

Is your Raised Ink actually raised?
Yes it is.

Differences Between Raised Ink and Spot UV Raised Ink Colorful

Can I have colored Raised Ink or Spot UV?
Raised Ink and Spot UV are both transparent material. They do not bring color into your design or text. However, you can print your colorful design/text with ink with Raised Ink or Spot UV placed over the colorful design/text. The transparency of both Spot UV and Raised Ink will allow the printed color to shine through.

Can I have Raised Ink or Spot UV on both sides of my card?
Raised Ink can only be done on a single side of a card.
Spot UV is able to be placed on both sides of the card.

What paper choices do I have for Raised Ink or Spot UV?
Raised Ink is available on many paper choices, with the most commonly choices being Heavy Nouveau, Heavy Linen, Heavy Silky Matte, and Vintage Kraft.  All paper business card choices EXCLUDING for the following: All Coated Stocks, Cameleon, Yupo, Sumo Nouveau, Sandwich Cards.
Spot UV only comes on a single paper choice, Standard Coated 14pt Matte.

Differences Between Raised Ink and Spot UV Green Spot UV

Will Spot UV or Raised Ink crack or break?
No, our finishing options are durable and can withstand wear and tear.

Can I have both Spot UV and Raised Ink?
No, because they are not possible on the same papers.

How will Raised Ink or Spot UV affect the colors on my card?
Since both Raised Ink and Spot UV are transparent, you will be able to view the printed colors underneath the lamination. But, because both these finishing options are glossy, the colors could appear slightly darker because they will be more saturated compared to the rest of the card.

What is Raised Ink or Spot UV used for?
Most people use them on their texts. But Raised Ink and Spot UV can be used to create designs. They can also be used to draw attention to a design element, let’s say a red circle.

Differences Between Raised Ink and Spot UV Orange Raised

How do I tell you where to put the Raised Ink or Spot UV?
The short answer is: Through your design files. However, the instructions change slightly depending on which design method you are using on our website.

-If you choose ‘Customize Designs’ (our Self Design tool)
This method is for those who do not have design programs, or only part of their design completed (like just their logo).
Once you choose this method you will be sent to our online template. Simply fill in your text and arrange the layout to look the way you wish. Make sure to upload any picture using the ‘Image’ button right above the template. When you finish, continue following the instructions until you reach the Finishing Options page. Make sure to select specific finishing option you want: Spot UV or Raised Ink. In that same section you will be able to specify what should have Spot UV or Raised Ink.
If you are selecting Spot UV, you can also select Single or Double Sided.

-If you choose ‘Upload a Complete Design’ (for someone who has a completed design file)
You will be submitting two design files. One labelled “Printing file” and another labelled “Raised Ink file” or “Spot UV file”.
On the ‘Printing File’ you will be putting everything that you want to have ink printed (this includes all colors and black/gray). On the ‘Raised Ink file’ or ‘Spot UV file’ you will be showing in an all black design what you would like done in Raised Ink or Spot UV. Make sure that the Raised Ink or Spot UV files align with the Printing file.
*If you are going to do double sided Spot UV, then you will be submitting a total of 4 files.

Inquiry: info@themorningprint.com

Silver and Gold Business Cards

1. What is Gold Plastic and Silver Plastic?
Gold Plastic is a solid metallic gold plastic in a business card size of 3.39×2.12 inches. The Gold Plastic has a strong coloring similar to a shade known as old gold. Silver Plastic is a solid metallic silver plastic in a business card size of 3.30×2.12 inches. Silver Plastic has more of a silver gray color. Both Silver and Gold plastic automatically have round corners.

Gold and Plastic Promo

2. What type of plastic is the Gold and Silver Plastic?
Both the Gold and Silver Plastics are made of an environmentally friendly material, known as PET. The PET material makes them ultra thin, waterproof, bendable and difficult to break. However, since they are made of PET plastic, these cards are prone to scratching. Scratches on Silver Plastic tend to be more visible than the scratches on Gold Plastic so they will need extra care.
Cleaning these business cards is easy. Simply use a soft fabric to remove any extra fingerprints which show up.

Gold and Plastic Dance Promo

3. How reflective are the Silver and Gold Plastic?
Both plastics look metallic. However, the Silver Plastic is the most reflective. It has enough shine to be used as a mirror. The Gold Plastic has a soft glow/shine. It is no where near as brilliant as the Silver Plastic.

Gold and Plastic Silver Promo

4. What type of design styles work well on Gold and Silver?
In general, simple and large designs work best on both the Gold and Silver plastic. Their natural coloring is so bold that simpler designs complement the color without overwhelming the cards.

Gold and Plastic Family Promo
The type of styles which go best with the Gold Plastic are geometric, or text based designs, where the color is the central focus. Simplistic and angular designs allow the boldness of the card to stand out without creating an overwhelming effect. A complex design looks best when it is not filled in.

Gold and Plastic Silver Family Promo
The styles which go best with Silver Plastic are modern, edgy, tech-y, and high end. A design concept we usually see with the Silver Plastic is to print a background color, and have the text shine through in the original Silver.

5. What colors look best on them?
Both plastics have strong coloring, and the final printing of colors will be altered. Black is the best color to use on both the Gold and Silver Plastics.

Gold and Plastic Complex Design Promo
It would do well to keep in mind that bright greens and reds print well on the Gold Plastic.

Gold and Plastic Orange Silver Promo
Silver is able to print colors better than Gold. Blue tends to create an edgier and more modern look on the Silver Plastic. Orange and red also print well, but they do not come up often in designs.

Inquiry: info@themorningprint.com

New Product: Sandwich Colored Edge Cards

Sandwich Cards Blue Edge

 

MorningPrint is pleased to announce our latest new product, Sandwich Cards. These business cards have coloring in the edge to create a small pop of color. We put together an introduction to our sandwich cards for you to get an idea of the kind of business cards you will be ordering.

Sandwich Cards Black

Why is it called a sandwich?
We call it a sandwich because to achieve this look, there are three papers involved. two white papers with a colored paper in the middle. Therefore, if you look closely at an individual sandwich card, you will be able to distinguish a layer of white, followed by a layer of color, topped off with another layer of white.

Sandwich Cards Red

How Much is the Processing time?
2 business days (not including shipping)

Paper description:
Since there are three components to the Sandwich Card, this option is one of our thickest cards, at 32 pt. The paper itself is uncoated, meaning it is not smoothed out, so you will be able to feel the natural paper’s roughness. This paper is also matte, meaning there is no shine of any kind within the paper itself. Finally, it has a creamy white coloring.

Sandwich Cards Yellow

Finishing options include: Foiling, Punches, Laser Cutting
Foiling on the front and back, Punches and Laser Cutting are all available on these business cards.
Since it is the color edge is created through layering papers, if you wish to do Laser Cutting or Punches, you will be able to see the colored edge even on the inside.

What are the color options? Black, Red, Yellow, Blue

1. Black-
We offer a dark shade of black as one of our color edge options. This specific shade might be harder to see in bulk, as it can be mistaken for shadow at a quick glance. If viewed on a single card, it is quite visible against the two layers of white paper.

Sandwich Cards Black Edge

2. Blue-
The closest color name to the shade of blue that we use is ultramarine blue. A bright and bold color, it is easily seen, even by a quick glance. However, because it is a thin line color that we incorporate into our Sandwich Cards, this color will not distract from your design.
Sandwich Cards Blue

3. Red-
MorningPrint uses a bold shade of red, similar to crimson, as our red option for the Sandwich Edge business cards. It is a a darker shade, for those who would like a punch of color, but not too much brightness.

Sandwich Cards Red Edge

4. Yellow-
Yellow is the brightest color we offer, similar to the shade of sunflower yellow. It is very easily seen in a bulk of cards and in a single card. It creates a cheerful and modern feel to the original paper stock.

Sandwich Cards Yellow Edge

Inquiry: info@themorningprint.com