Guidelines For Printing on Different Materials - Aly Packaging USA

CMYK builds color from cyan, magenta, yellow and black, which can vary slightly across presses and stocks. Pantone uses pre-mixed spot inks for exact matches, ideal for brand colors that must be consistent.

Brown fibers show through light inks, which makes colors look muted and muddy. Choose darker, high-contrast tones or lay down an opaque white base if brightness is essential.

A bright white surface reflects more light, so colors appear cleaner and more saturated. It also hides substrate texture, which helps small text and fine details print sharply.

Yes, but plan for the absorbent surface and flute pattern. Use coated liners, heavier ink coverage and underlayers like white panels to boost vibrancy.

Rigid board keeps crisp edges and flat panels, which elevates perceived value. It supports premium finishes like foil, embossing and deep deboss without warping.

Matte softens reflections and slightly lowers perceived saturation. It delivers a refined, non-glare look that hides fingerprints and minor scuffs.

Gloss adds shine and increases contrast, which makes colors pop. It also provides an extra barrier against abrasion and moisture.

Foil sits on top of the print and reflects light, so it stays vivid on deep colors. Metallics create strong contrast and a premium focal point without flooding the panel with ink.

Yes, with opaque white ink or a double hit for better coverage. Expect a slightly warm tone since the substrate’s brown hue influences the final appearance.

UV coatings cure to a hard, high-gloss finish that deepens color and boosts rub resistance. Aqueous coatings are water based, add light protection and can be gloss, satin or matte.

It is achievable with careful color management, proofs and material-specific profiles. Expect minor shifts when moving between kraft, white board and films, and adjust artwork accordingly.

Peaks and valleys can break up fine detail and lighten small type. Use bolder line weights, larger fonts and solid fills to maintain clarity.

It can work for a rustic effect, but photos will look softer and less vibrant. If accuracy matters, place images on white panels or switch to coated white liners.

Yes, including FSC-certified boards, recycled kraft, soy or water-based inks and mono-material builds for easier recycling. These choices reduce impact without sacrificing print quality.

Absorbent papers benefit from fast-setting, high-pigment inks, while coated stocks can handle finer screens. Films and foils may require specific primers for adhesion and durability.

Yes, this is common for brand-critical spot colors alongside CMYK imagery. Be sure to define which elements are spot and which are process during prepress.

Heavier stocks lie flatter and show less show-through, which improves color density. They also accept embossing and foil more cleanly.

Increase font size, choose heavier weights and avoid hairline serifs. Maintain generous contrast and give small copy extra tracking for legibility.

Spot UV is for contrast and texture. Use it to highlight logos, images or patterns against matte or uncoated backgrounds.

Both reduce glare, but soft-touch adds a velvety feel that signals premium quality. Matte lamination is more neutral in hand feel and typically shows slightly lower color depth than gloss.

Metallic inks add shimmer but are less reflective than foil. Choose metallic ink for subtle effects and foil for high-impact shine and crisp edges.

Print over a white underlay to neutralize the substrate color, then add CMYK. Increase contrast and avoid delicate tints that the base color can overpower.

Trapping slightly overlaps adjacent colors to hide tiny misregistrations. It prevents hairline gaps where two colors meet and keeps edges looking clean.

RGB is for screens and includes colors that printing cannot reproduce. Converting to CMYK upfront ensures accurate proofs and fewer color surprises.

Bleed extends artwork beyond the cut line so minor trimming shifts do not leave white edges. Include at least 3 mm of bleed, and keep critical elements inside the safe zone.