How to create perfect print data for product finishing

Many customers who are working with a print shop for the first time are faced with the question of how they can optimally prepare their data. It becomes particularly exciting when finishes come into play - because they not only give print products a special feel and look, but also offer additional protection. Whether glossy coatings, elegant embossing or eye-catching foils: each technique has its own requirements for the data. In this guide, we show you step by step how to create your print file so that the desired print finish can be realised perfectly. This will turn a simple printed matter into a high-quality product that leaves an impression.

1. basics: What is finishing?

Difference between finishing and processing: Finishing refers to additional effects that enhance the look or feel of a printed product - such as spot varnish, embossing or foil lamination. Processing, on the other hand, describes the purely mechanical steps after printing, such as cutting, folding or binding. For example, cellophane wrapping (a full-surface film lamination) is classed as processing, while a partial spot varnish is classed as finishing, as it emphasises specific areas.

Why some finishes require a special colour channel: With finishes such as spot varnish or hot foil, the print shop needs to know exactly which areas of the layout are to be finished. An additional channel is created in the print file to clearly mark these areas. Without this channel, precise categorisation would not be possible.

• What is a spot colour channel? A spot colour channel is a specially defined spot colour in the print file that is not intended for normal colour printing but serves as a technical marker.
• Spot colour: A unique colour tone (e.g. "spot varnish") that is created in the layout program.
• Overprinting: Areas are set so that they are not left blank, but are placed over the existing layout.
• Separation: This channel is output separately in the pre-press stage so that the print shop can use it for the desired finishing.

Why cellophane wrapping does not need a channel: Cellophane wrapping is applied over the entire surface and by machine, regardless of the layout. Since no specific selection of areas is necessary, no special colour channel is required. The entire print sheet is automatically covered with the film.

2. finishing techniques in detail

Finishing made easy: Understanding technology, using it sensibly and preparing files correctly.

An overview of common finishing techniques and their file layout:

• UV surface coating (protective coating): A clear varnish that is applied over the entire product. No special file creation is required here, as the varnish is automatically applied to the entire surface.
• UV spot varnish: This varnish can be used to create glossy accents on certain areas. A special colour channel with the name "Spot varnish" must be created, the areas must be filled to 100 % and the overprint setting must be activated.
• Relief varnish: Creates a raised varnish effect. The file is created in the same way as spot varnish, but with a separate label "relief varnish".
• Hot foil stamping: Here, a metallic foil is applied using heat and pressure. A special colour "hot foil" is created in the file, the surfaces must be created as vector surfaces without transparencies.
• Blind embossing: This technique creates a raised or recessed embossing without colour. A special colour "blind embossing" is used for this, which should contain clear and clean contours.
• Cellophane wrapping: A protective film that is applied over the entire surface of the product. As it is applied by machine, no special channel is required.
• UV spot varnish + cellophane wrapping: A combination of protection and accent. Here, it is sufficient to apply the spot varnish as a special channel.
• Perforation: Used to create tear-off lines. A special colour "perforation" is created in the file, which is implemented as a dashed vector line.
• Creasing: Enables clean folding using pre-embossed lines. A special colour "creasing" is created for this purpose, which is displayed as a continuous vector line.

  
  

3. file attachment in the common programmes

Adobe InDesign

• Create spot colour as spot colour via "Colour fields" → Only spot colours are recognised as separate printing colours.

• Name e.g. "Spot varnish", "Hot foil" → Clear naming makes assignment easier for the print shop.

• Area 100% cyan or magenta (for control purposes), but defined as a solid colour → Visible in the layout, but technically stored as a spot colour.

• Activate overprint (Object → Attributes → Overprint) → Prevents the spot colour from overlaying other elements.

• Keep "Finishing" layer separate → Clear separation of print data and finishing elements.

Adobe Illustrator

• Same procedure as InDesign → Create and name spot colour in the colour swatches panel.

• No transparencies or gradients in finishing areas → Finishes must be clearly defined areas.

• Paths must be closed → Only closed shapes can be produced cleanly.

Adobe Photoshop

• Only partially suitable for finishing → Pixel-based data is less precise than vectors.

• Spot colour channel via "Channels" → New spot colour channel → The spot colour is created as a separate channel here.

• Fill area with brush or selection → This is how the desired finishing area is marked.

• Name and colour correctly → Uniform naming for the print shop is mandatory.

Adobe Acrobat

• Check via "Output preview" (Tools → Print production) → Check whether spot colours have been created correctly.

• Make spot colours visible → Check whether the spot colour is present in the PDF.

• Check overprinting → Ensure that the areas are not omitted.

• Show separations → Check the individual colour channels incl. spot colour.

4. checklist for you as a customer

Before you upload your print data with finishes, go through these points:

• [ ] Finishing clearly defined?
• [ ] Spot colour correctly named?
• [ ] Overprinting activated?
• [ ] No transparencies present?
• [ ] Vector areas used?
• [ ] Print shop specifications observed?

The path to perfect print data with finishing

With just a few clear steps, professional print data for products with finishing can be created and high-quality results achieved, even without in-depth prior knowledge. Close and transparent communication with the print shop is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and ensure optimum results. Print finishing is more than just a technical detail - it visibly and tangibly enhances print products and gives them a special quality that leaves an impression.

Here, print24helps you to get the best out of your print data and create a print file that fulfils all requirements.