[Razzvanel]

Is it possible to use varnishes in duotones? I mean, not with duotones, covering them; but in duotones (or tritones, or quadtones), as the colors used to define them?

[atilio]

Sure. Just not sure what effect you're going to get. (or are trying to achieve)

[Razzvanel]

What effect? A higher dynamic range and three-dimensionality. Say, matte varnish on a curve identical with black (perhaps, even dot-on-dot) and glossy varnish on the opposite ("negative") curve. What do you think?

[ayman_alya]

Sounds interesting. Just keep in mind that when a varnish is run in-line some of the gloss/matte effect is lost when it soaks into the ink. Certainly not a reason not to do it, but it might be a factor in the final product if you do the dot on dot.

I don't want to sound negative because we printers love doing stuff like this, but you're not going to be able to see what the final piece is going to look like until it's dry. By then you've put money into something that maybe didn't give you the effect you wanted.

Just an FYI.

[atilio]

That's my point...he says with a smile.....this isn't the type of process that you're printer is going to be able to proof unless you want to pay for a press run to proof it. You could do a press check when it actually goes to press, but you're not going to get the final effect of how it's going to look until 3 or 4 hours after it's run and by that time it will be too late.

Again....I think it sounds like a great idea and I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but since it's not commonplace and there's no way to proof it before it goes to press that leaves a lot of room for "that's not what I was looking for...." and somehow the printer always seems to lose money when that line is uttered. :-(

With that said......it's going to have SOME effect. If you're willing to try it for maybe a self promotion piece then you'll know and you should be able to work off of that for other projects. Also...there might be printers out there that have done this. Maybe you could call around in your/our area.

[Darius]

The printer may not be able to directly proof your job, unless they do a press proof. However, any good printer should have samples of similar work that they've done before that they could show you. If you discuss the effect that you're after they could likely steer you in the right direction as to what will work and what may not.

[Razzvanel]

Thanks, guys! Don't be concerned over sounding too negative. Your advice is well taken. This is what I'm looking here for.

Btw, do you think a UV process would be a good idea to use for that? UV varnishes look better and, more importantly, UV inks dry faster. Maybe I'd not have to wait 3-4 hours to see a proof, after all.

[atilio]

A UV varnish or coat will yield higher gloss, but it also costs more to do (quite a bit more). You are only limited by your budget.

[Razzvanel]

Yes. I'm curious about the full UV process, though. Not just the varnish, but the process inks too. How much more expensive is that? I've read somewhere that, even though UV inks are more expensive, less of ink is necessary, so the final cost is actually less. I imagine UV varnish may be more efficient on a full-UV press too, if only because it could be applied inline over already dry ink (UV ink dries in seconds, if not less).