Vacumet offers a selection of metallized papers that can be used for great effects in all types of printing - offset, gravure, and flexographic. With metallized papers, your creative door is wide open for astonishing and dazzling effects that can't be achieved using foils or metallic ink alone. For most situations, metallized papers perform and run just like coated papers.

Vacumet metallized papers are also cost-effective, which leaves you more flexibility to meet budget demands and creative impulses.

Consumers are attracted to the sparkling appearance. The emergence of metallized papers in the marketplace can be seen on labels and in point-of-sale and is now extended to brochures, packaging, and displays.

Pre-planning your printed piece with your printer and color separator can be the difference between an average project and a special event. You get a special, high intensity metallized look without the high metal deposit of metallic inks. Definition is exceptional and your visuals take on a powerful depth and richness that can't be "mimicked". You will get more dramatic printed results if you select images with strong levels of contrast between light and dark areas.

Take advantage of black and white ink on Vacumet metallized paper for a real contrast to color. The metallized surface works to your best advantage, especially when using a matte black, and gives a 3-dimensional quality to all your printed visuals.

With Vacumet metallized papers, you can get a dimensional depth in your black and white artwork that is superior to what you get "mimicking" the metallic surface using metallic ink on white paper. When printing quadritones, note how a spot white adds to the impact of the metallized surface. Compared to a C1S white cover, there is an added element of suspense that ordinary papers cannot match. Interesting effects can be obtained by screening back the amount of opaque white being printed.

Line screens are important factors in achieving a highly defined, accurate image when printing. When printing on Vacumet metallized papers, you can print with line screens as high as 200 or more when using GCR (Grayscale Component Replacement) techniques. When printing opaque white areas, a line screen of 150-175 is used for the majority of process printing on metallized papers.

Emboss with exceptional results on Vacumet metallized papers, using either carbide or tool steel dyes.



Printing Recommendations

Conditioning of Metallized Paper Stock

Vacumet metallized papers are available in either roll or sheet form, wrapped to protect against moisture gain or loss.

For best performance, allow the wrapped metallized paper to adjust to the press room temperature conditions twenty-four (24) hours before printing. A range of 65¡F to 75¡F and 40% to 60% relative humidity is recommended for the press room while running and/or stacking paper.

Ink Guidelines

Flexographic and gravure ink systems should be recommended by the ink manufacturer. For lithographic printing, we recommend the following:

Inks - Inks formulated with higher solids are strongly recommended so ink film integrity, adhesion, and abrasion characteristics are achieved. This is for all inks including opaque white. In general, solid-body inks for synthetic stock are recommended.

Though inks for synthetic/non-absorbent stocks are recommended for optimum results on metallized papers, it doesn't mean you can't use soy inks for special treatments with unusual results. A semi-transparent ink helps support an unusual atmospheric quality for an exceptional image.

Fluorescent inks can be used on any Vacumet metallized paper with astonishing verve and sparkling techniques.

Ink Tack - Inks should be tack rated medium for sufficient trapping. The first color should be between 18 to 20 at 1,200 rpm or 11 to 14 at 800 rpm. Tack of subsequent colors should be dropped one unit to achieve good trapping percentages.

Fountain Solution - Fountain solution must be mixed fresh and carefully maintained due to the non-absorbent nature of the paper. The minimum amount of ink and water needs to be applied. Contaminants from paper, ink, and wash up solution can greatly affect the wetting and cleaning properties. Vacumet metallized papers are fully compatible with alcohol and alcohol substitute fountain solutions.

pH - The fountain solution should not be too acidic so that drying of the ink is not hindered. A pH of 4.5 is highly recommended.

Ink Holdout - Due to the non-absorbent substrate, ink holdout is maximized. This outstanding feature allows for many graphic effects to be achieved with combinations of opaque white for backing up images, leading to crisp contrasts which are ideal for 4 and 6 color work.

Coatings - Aqueous and UV coatings are compatible with metallized papers. Coatings enhance gloss and provide protective properties against rub and abrasion. Aqueous coatings need to be specifically designed for use on metallized or foil papers so the ink film is allowed to set prior to final dry of the coating. This will avoid mud-cracking. Be sure that inks are fully dried prior to UV coating so adhesion and uniform lay of the coating is achieved, usually 48 - 72 hours after printing. For all coating recommendations, please consult your coating and ink supplier.

Blankets - Printing blankets should be conventional, designed for quick release.