How to properly set up text for special finishes

When you choose to apply a special finish to text or lines, it is important to ensure that they meet the minimum production specifications indicated in the instructions:

  • Minimum line thickness: 1pt

  • Minimum font size: 10 pt

The finishing process is performed by applying a transparent polymer to the areas marked in your file with the “Finishing” color swatch (spot color). If you select gold or silver foil, a metallic film is applied on top of the transparent polymer. If you choose the embossed foil instead, the polymer is cured, to create a three-dimensional effect.

If the text or lines are too small or thin, the polymer may not apply evenly (and foil will not adhere properly), making the finished elements barely visible on the final product.

In the example below, the text smaller than 10 pt is barely visible on the printed product. However, it is clear how the appearance of text and lines improves as the font size increases:

Immagine che contiene testo, inchiostro, grafica, Stampa

Descrizione generata automaticamente, Image

In the example below, lines with a thickness of 0.5 pt are not clearly visible on the printed product.

Immagine che contiene mappa, design

Descrizione generata automaticamente, Image

Please Note: Always make sure that both requirements are met. It may happen, as in the example below, that text larger than 10 pt has a stroke weight of less than 1 pt. In this case, the finish may not apply correctly.

Immagine che contiene testo, calligrafia, cartone animato, inchiostro

Descrizione generata automaticamente, Image

Important: If the text is reversed out (placed inside an area with special finishing), increase the font size to 14 pt and the stroke weight to 2 pt. This ensures that the text remains legible, as the polymer may expand by a fraction of a millimeter during application, potentially filling in small gaps.

If your artwork contains text or lines with special finishes, always make sure that both requirements are met: the line thickness must be at least 1 pt and the font size at least 10 pt.

If you still have questions, please contact us. We are happy to assist you.

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