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This week's continuing focus on the educational reference piece Standard No. 5: Special Effects from Sappi continues. Each day, we are sharing detailed information along with tips to make each special effect work for you. Today's focus...

Special Printing Technique: AUGMENTED REALITY

It doesn’t take the powers of a superhero to enhance your current perceptions of reality, all you need is a camera lens and coded image on paper. An exciting new technology is bringing interactive multimedia content to the printed page. Augmented Reality, or AR, can place a virtual image in a live experience. This is done by pointing a smart phone or web camera at a code-embedded high-contrast image, thus triggering a virtual image to come to life right before your eyes. And it all starts on paper! The experience can range from a sound clip or video to fully integrated GPS data.

Think of the possibilities. See a pair of sunglasses you like in a print ad that features AR technology? You can now view the page through your AR smart phone application to virtually try the pair on in real-time. Bring cookbooks to life with AR instructional animations or arrange that new sofa you’ve been eyeing, in your home virtually.

In The Standard No. 5, you can observe AR in action. Don’t worry, if you don’t have a copy of The Standard, you can still download and print out a copy of page 47 here. Visit this site to launch the AR “Super Dude in Action” experience with your web camera. For the mobile experience, download the app to your smart phone or scan the QR code from the “Super Dude in Action” site.

Sappi, Standard No. 5: Special Effects is printed on various finishes of McCoy, an environmentally responsible premium coated sheet.

It's Wednesday, day three of our focus on the educational reference piece Standard No. 5: Special Effects from Sappi. Each day, we'll give you detailed information along with tips to make each special effect work for you. Today's focus... 

Special Printing Technique: ENCAPSULATED SCENTS

Wake up and smell the coffee-scented ink! Scent is a powerful multi-sensory medium. It links smell to emotion and memory and it can be incorporated into your printed material. Scent is not just a novelty anymore - many of today's high-end retailers have a signature scent sprayed throughout their stores and printed on their correspondence system to create a sense of familiarity with their customers and bring their branding full circle.

The "Super IQ" can above (in it's printed form) when scratched, releases the aroma of fresh coffee. Scented printed products are available in three forms: scented strips, "scratch and sniff" and as microencapsulated scented varnishes and inks. Scented coatings are often called "scratch n' sniff". This technique involves scents micro-encapsulated into pigments that are added to a coating and applied to a sheet of paper. When rubbed or scratched, the microcapsules break, releasing the aroma. Micro-encapsulated varnishes and inks are non-toxic and can be applied in almost any print process. Scent can even be added to envelope seals wherein the scent is released when the envelope is torn open. Here are some technical tips:

• For maximum benefit, the size of the scented area should be larger than 2" x 2".
• Scented area should be marked to make customer aware of the add-on.
• Scented varnishes or inks work best on dull or vellum papers because the coating gives the material a matte finish.
• Print the capsules last, as a "fifth color". This protects the capsules from premature deterioration.

Sappi, Standard No. 5: Special Effects is printed on various finishes of McCoy, an environmentally responsible premium coated sheet.

Day two of our focus on the educational reference piece The Standard No. 5: Special Effects from Sappi. Each day, we'll give you detailed information along with tips to make each special effect work for you. Today's focus... 

Special Printing Technique: FLOCKING

Flocking is a fascinating printing process - think about grade school when you laid down a puddle or stream of Elmer's Glue, added glitter, shook it and - tadah! The process creates a real sense of textile touch to a sheet of paper. A velvety, flock can be applied to practically to any paper surface. The above Abominable Snowman (in its printed version) is covered in a white short flock with four color process on just his face, hands and toes. But what is flocking? The process involves applying a fiber directly to a paper that has been coated with an adhesive. The fibers are applied and the paper is then vibrated which ensures packed, uniform adhesion to a particular area or shape. Flocking can also be applied electrostatic-ally and is the cleanest method. This is not a new process. In the middle ages, fiber dust was attached to sticky surfaces. In the 70's, flocking was a popular decorative method on t-shirts. By the 90's, flocking's popularity faded away and few printers used it. But, over the last several years, inquiries into the process has created a demand for this different and unusual technique. Here are some technical tips:

• Flocking fibers come in large variety of custom and PMS colors.
• More than one color can be used but they need to be at least 1/8" apart.
• Pigment can be added to the adhesive to create a even more uniform color surface.
• More technical tips here.

Sappi, Standard No. 5: Special Effects is printed on various finishes of McCoy, an environmentally responsible premium coated sheet.

This week we'll be focusing on the educational reference piece The Standard No. 5: Special Effects from Sappi. Beginning today - we'll highlight one printing technique each day and give you detailed information along with tips to make each special effect work for you. Today's focus...

Special Printing Technique: LENTICULAR

Lenticular printing creates the optical illustion of depth and movement.  The technology was created in the 1940's and was commonly called "flicker pictures" or "wiggly pictures".  New printing technology has made it easier, more economical, and more exciting than ever before. In the case of the image above, 16 images (frames) were interlaced into a single image that gave the effect that the eyeballs are following you as you gaze at them from left to right.  Lenitcular printing can achieve 3-D or flip effects. Flip effects create graphics or a message that changes depending on the viewing angle. The images are printed to a Lens. A Lens is a special material extruded with a resin specifically made for the optical properties required for lenticular prints. Remember to work closely with your printer and always ask for a lenticular proof before you go to press. Here are some technical tips.

• Color choice and placement play a key roll in getting the best 3-D lenticular results.
• When designing for 3-D, create a image that has a foreground element and a background element. This gives the illusion of depth and helps the human brain percieve dimensionality. Avoid stark contrasts.
• Better results are achieved when the background is neutral and the brighter colors are in the foreground.
• 3-D effect works best with the lenses running vertically.
• When creating a "flip" or "animation" effect - horizontal lenses are the best choice.
• More technical tips here.

Sappi, Standard No. 5: Special Effects is printed on various finishes of McCoy, an environmentally responsible premium coated sheet.