Creating a New Dimension in Greeting Cards

3 Types of Embellishments to Consider for Greeting Cards

Gone were the days where greetings cards were simple pieces of printed hard paper with 2D coloured images. Today, in an era where the digital has laid its mark on every industry, printing companies have evolved to provide newer dimensions of print production. Delving into the realm of texture printing, digital embellishments come as a fresh, if not, highly-sought after innovative strategy for businesses looking to stand out in a homogenous market of printed products.

From introducing sensory experiences to product packages to reinventing traditional gifts, embellishment printing challenges the status quo of creativity, allowing businesses to create narratives through textures. Greeting cards are no different.

As digital print enhancements garner high return of investments that range between 50% to 400%, greeting card companies have more opportunities to premiumise their product offerings and maintain authenticity in delivery. This renders greeting cards a creative medium for expression, which corporations can also leverage as part of external stakeholder engagement.

Customers are also willing to spend 24% to 89% premiums over CMYK-prints, as noted in a 2020 report by In-Plant Impressions. With premiumisation becoming a key pillar for businesses looking to maximise their revenue streams, it is important to understand that premium products are granted their status for the perceived value they offer. How can texture printing realise that potential?

1. Foil stamping

A multi-step process that uses heat, pressure, die and toner, foil stamping involves adhering a layer of foil onto a print medium. The common colours in the market are gold, white and silver, all of which deliver a captivating, long-lasting and durable metallic shine that pops. Such value-added printing is easily achieved by Konica Minolta’s range of printers. However, the digital capabilities of AccurioShine 101, MGI JETvarnish 3DS with iFoil S and JETvarnish Evolution with iFoil L hot stamping systems enable a film, plates and die-free process. The MGI JETvarnish 3DS even has an option to stamp up to two coloured foils in a single high-speed print, allowing for greater customisation and user-appeal. On the other hand, the JETvarnish Evolution offers variable data foiling of up to 232 microns thickness which produces enhanced 3D effects.

2. Spot gloss/varnish

A clear polymer coating, spot gloss or varnish enables one to accentuate specific areas of a piece, by way of adding more shine or depth. These could include main texts on a greeting card, company logos or the equivalent. For simple spot gloss, the AccurioShine 101 is a great choice. Adding more flair to the process, the spot UV coating enabled by the MGI JETvarnish family, which includes the 3D One, 3DS and Evolution, delivers sharp colours with top-notch inkjet technology and the highest gloss finish of up to 99 gloss units. This is also possible on top of stamped foil.

3. Embossing

For more elevated effects, consider embossing. By raising letters and images on a printed piece, embossing takes greeting card prints to greater heights, and the MGI JETvarnish family performs this at its best. Beyond its capabilities of spot UV print, the printer allows for 3D spot varnish that creates raised textured embellishments with an embossed effect. This means greater options for creative expression, which translate to visual and tactile excitement for the receiver.

Rethinking traditional norms with digital flair

Greeting cards have long been a traditional affair. While digital cards may disrupt the print market, the novel tactile experiences of textured prints delivered by the latter supersedes the former. For more information on how Konica Minolta’s printers can create such value-added opportunities for you, speak to our friendly team of experts.