Captivating your clients with visually stunning creations is a key element of every graphic designer’s remit, advances in printing technology are enabling greater flexibility and opportunity to achieve this by incorporating special print effects. The Xerox Iridesse printing press with its special silver and gold metallic, white, and clear inks opens up a world of endless possibilities for design agencies. In this article, we explore some of the remarkable benefits that these special inks offer, empowering graphic designers to wow their clients with greater creative freedom.

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Gold ink on Xerox Iridesse digital printing press — Gold ink highlighting the sun in this sunset scene.

Dazzling Metallic Inks: The silver and gold metallic inks available on the Xerox Iridesse are a game-changer for designers seeking to add a touch of elegance, sophistication, and luxury to their designs. These inks create stunning metallic effects that shimmer and catch the eye, giving designs a distinct and premium look. From business cards and invitations to product packaging and marketing collateral, the inclusion of metallic inks adds a unique visual appeal, making designs stand out from the crowd.

White ink on GF Smith Colorplan makes for stunning results.

Brilliant White Ink: White opaque ink, when used strategically, can dramatically transform the impact of a design. The Xerox Iridesse's white ink feature allows designers to print on dark or colored substrates, opening up a new realm of design possibilities. By printing white ink as an underlay or overlay, designers can create striking contrasts, enhance readability, and achieve vibrant colors on a wider range of materials. The ability to print white ink on various surfaces empowers designers to experiment and create captivating designs that were previously limited by substrate colors.

Spot clear ink adds a gloss varnish to the text and stars on this brochure cover, the multi layer effect also adds a semi-embossed effect.

Transparent Clear Ink: Clear ink, a lesser-known gem in the designer's arsenal, provides an extra layer of creativity. By using the Xerox Iridesse's clear ink feature, designers can achieve eye-catching gloss or spot varnish effects, giving designs a luxurious, high-end appearance. Clear ink can be used to highlight specific elements of a design, create visual depth, or simulate textures, adding a tactile and visually engaging aspect to the printed piece. Design agencies can explore the potential of clear ink to create intricate patterns, subtle watermarks, or even replicate the look and feel of embossing without the associated costs.

Unmatched Versatility and Efficiency: The Xerox Iridesse printing press combines the power of special inks with high-speed, high-quality printing capabilities. With the ability to print up to six colors in a single pass, including the special inks, design agencies can produce stunning results with unmatched efficiency. This versatile printing press eliminates the need for additional print runs or costly post-production processes, saving time and resources while delivering exceptional output.

Enhanced Branding and Client Satisfaction: By incorporating the special inks offered by the Xerox Iridesse, design agencies can elevate their clients' brands to new heights. Metallic inks can infuse a sense of prestige and opulence, while white and clear inks provide opportunities for unique and attention-grabbing designs. These special inks help brands break through the noise and make a lasting impression on customers, leading to increased brand recognition, customer engagement, and ultimately, business success. By offering clients innovative and visually stunning designs, design agencies can strengthen their relationships, build trust, and establish themselves as creative leaders in the industry.

To find out more about the possibilities of going beyond CMYK and see examples of what’s possible, get in touch with the team to discuss your ideas or to arrange a tour of our central Birmingham, West Midlands print factory. You can lean how to apply these awesome effects in our how-to article or by arranging a tutorial session with our in-house team.