Customer Technical Information
The following is designed to help our customers prepare their printed materials in order to minimize and/or eliminate problem areas in the finishing process. These potential problems could impact the job's quality, turnaround time, final cost, or cause bindery problems in the production of film laminated, UV, aqueous, blister and remoistenable glue coated work.
We hope that this summary helps to ensure a smooth job. Have any questions? Don't hesitate to ask by emailing us.
Inks
Particular ingredients in all inks can cause color leaching, bleeding or color fading when sheets are film laminated, UV or aqueous coated. These are Rhodamine Red, Reflex Blue and PMTA Pigments. Also PMS Purple and Green are alkaline sensitive.
Metallic inks and some Prime Coats can affect the adhesion of film, UV and aqueous coating to the finished product.
Inks must also dry prior to laminating or coating.
Spray Powder
Spray powder is used for drying ink. It needs to be of the highest quality and used sparingly to prevent the look of “sandpaper” and to achieve the highest gloss level desired.
Film Lamination
Customers should allow one half inch (1/2”) waste on all four (4) sides of the sheet.
Ink, varnish and primers should also be one half inch (1/2”) from all four sides of the sheet.
Send a rule out sheet with all jobs. Gripper and side guide areas must be clearly marked.
UV Coating, Aqueous Coating & Remoistenable Glue
We recommend that you use only wax free, teflon free and silicone free inks with reduced solvent content.
Excessive levels of emulsified fountain solution will result in poor adhesion of UV coating to the ink surface.
Cast coated and uncoated stocks are not recommended for UV because the coating will soak into the stock.
Allow one half inch (1/2”) waste area on all four (4) sides of the sheet to be coated.
For overall UV or aqueous coating , send a rule out sheet with all jobs. Gripper and side guide areas must be clearly marked.
For blanket spot UV coating, send a printed sheet ruled out with clearly marked areas where UV coating is to be omitted. An example would be glue flap areas, or an address label area.
For silk screen spot UV coating, send a full sheet, film positive, right reading, emulsion side up. All black areas showing on the positive will be getting UV coating on the printed sheets. You can also send a PDF file so that we can make the film positive for you.
For remoistenable glue areas, there should be no aqueous coating or ink under it or where it sticks to it.
Die Cutting, Foil Stamping, Embossing, Hi-Die Cutting & Guillotine Cutting
Please send a rule out sheet with gripper and side guide areas clearly marked. Also a die vinyl or a pdf file, and if possible, a sample of the previous job.
The Magic Genie - Scores, Perforates, Folds and Glues
Along with all quote requests, supply a layout diagram indicating where scores; perforations; folds; and glue areas are.
It is important to remember to store finished mailers in a cool, dry place to prevent the remoistenable adhesive from
activating. Along with all jobs, send a rule out sheet with gripper and side guide areas clearly marked. Also clearly mark
the areas in which scores; perforations; folds; remoistenable, permanent and/or fugitive glue is to be applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
We love to talk with our customers. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that our genies respond to.
If you have additional questions please call us or fill in our contact form.
Reach out to us today to find out how we can finish your next print job ahead of schedule, under budget and at a quality that you'll have to see to believe.