Whether it is common effects like metallic finishes or more niche additions such as Braille, print offers up a wide range of options when it comes to helping products stand out. This is perhaps more important than ever, with the modern consumer often distracted by digital screens that seem to pop up wherever we go. While brands have a basic understanding of some of these effects, the onus is very much on the print service provider (PSP) to open their eyes to the wider options made possible with the power of print. Think spot UV or raised UV coating to help make a logo or image ‘pop’, or even holographic films and foils that catch the light and appear to show an image moving or changing when viewed from certain angles. Printers know the possibilities are almost endless, but it is crucial to educate your clients as to what you can help them produce. Here, Print Monthly speaks with several manufacturers to learn more about the latest solutions when it comes to producing special effects in print. Unlocking Opportunities Up first is Vivid Laminating Technologies, which has a range of solutions for helping printers create special effects. Commercial manager, Lewis Evans says special effects print is evolving rapidly, with a “clear shift” toward personalisation, tactile finishes, and premium-quality embellishments that elevate printed materials and drive consumer engagement. “There’s growing demand for raised UV, foil effects, and intricate finishing, extending beyond luxury packaging into short-run, on-demand applications across a variety of personalised and bespoke print projects,” he says, adding: “We’re also seeing a big focus on automation and efficiency; customers want high-end finishes, but they need them delivered faster, more affordably, and with minimal manual intervention.” So, how can printers respond? Where should they be targeting with special effects? Evans says that to remain competitive, printers should focus on value-added services that help their customers stand out, especially in luxury packaging, personalised print, direct mail, and short-run retail. “These are all segments where special effects can make a powerful difference,” Evans says, continuing: “The key is to bring finishing capabilities in-house. By doing so, printers gain greater control over cost, quality, and turnaround time, while also unlocking the ability to offer quick prototyping and customisation, services increasingly in demand across industries.” With this, Evans draws attention to Razar, a new machine from Vivid that launched to the market at The Print Show 2025. Billed as the ‘Swiss army knife of finishing’ the machine combines raised spot UV printing, cutting, creasing, and taping into a single, automated pass, enabling users to produce complex, high-quality finishes more efficiently and affordably. “With Razar, we’ve reduced the need for multiple machines and production steps, helping to cut energy use, waste, and consumables,” says Evans, adding: “Plus, being able to handle both sheet and rollfed media means printers can operate With brands turning to print and specialist finishing to help their products stand out, Rob Fletcher takes a look at some of the effects that add that extra shine to a printed piece CREATE A LASTING IMPRESSION SPECIAL EFFECTS | ROB FLETCHER 43 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 357 - November | December 2025
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