In print, nothing captures attention better than a business card, invitation, mailer, or packaging with embellishments that make you want to touch and feel. Add raised spot UV over soft-touch lamination, and you instantly elevate the print to a whole new level.
To demonstrate what’s possible with these two solutions, Duplo USA partnered with Nobelus to produce a beautifully crafted trifold application featuring a vibrant design of a peacock. The goal? To create a show-stopping sample that showcases the visual and tactile potential of print enhancement technologies. Check out the video at the end.
To Laminate or Not To Laminate
The option to laminate largely depends on the equipment on hand, the budget, and the type of job being produced. Lamination protects the print from fingerprints as well as tear and wear, making it ideal for a variety of applications. But when it’s combined with spot UV coating, the lamination – whether it’s matte or soft-touch – becomes more than a protective layer. It provides a dull surface that makes the gloss in the spot UV really pop.
For this particular project, our friends at Nobelus recommended going with their Karess® Printable Laminate with DigiBond™. The velvety-soft base, applied to the inner side of the trifold, was key to creating the rich contrast and dimensional effects that followed.
The Duplo team used the DFL-700 Foil/Laminator to apply the laminate and then ran the job on the DDC-810 Pro Raised Spot UV Coater to make some of the details stand out. Textured effects were applied over the peacock’s train, neck, and crest at a thickness of 40 microns, creating a raised effect that catches the light when handled. To finish the piece, the DC-648 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser was used to crease and trim the sheets into 8.25″ x 8.25″ trifolds.
All About the Details
Once finished, the result was a stunning application with depth and dimension that makes it hard not to pick up. And thoughtful design choices were made throughout that are worth mentioning. The project was printed on a digital press using 12.5″ x 26.5″ (350 gsm) paper to maximize the spread. Both sides were spot coated. The outer side of the trifold was left unlaminated, allowing the spot UV to be applied directly over the toner. Additionally, the outer panel that folds inward – and displays half of the peacock image – was left completely untouched. In doing so, it created a side-by-side comparison of what is possible with print embellishment.
The viewer experiences three options as they open the finished piece:
- Spot UV over printed toner
- Unfinished print without any embellishments
- Spot UV over soft-touch laminate
This layered reveal with soft-touch and spot UV transforms the piece into more than just toner on paper. It helps print buyers see and feel the difference that various enhancements can make.
These techniques can be used to create premium packaging, high-end invitations, direct mail campaigns, and business cards that make a lasting impression. It’s one of the many opportunities that print businesses can take advantage of to stand out in today’s competitive market.
You’ll find this sample showcased at various events throughout 2025, including Printing United. If you’re in attendance, be sure to stop by the Duplo booth and pick one up for yourself!
Diana Blanco
Marketing Operations Manager
Duplo USA
