Can textured inlays be duplicated?

JTQuest · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2005, 01:28 PM

I have a sample ASM HH with an American Eagle inlay. The inlay is covered with a textured plastic film (according to HPT). Is this considered a linen finish? I know that the WPT chips have the same feel on the inlay, and there's probably other chips out there that do as well. Has anyone ever tried to duplicate this over their custom labels?

PocketRocket · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2005, 01:58 PM

The only way to do it reliably would be to place a plastic laminate over your label and then heat press it with a mold that has a linen grid on it. I've encountered a similar gritty effect by spraying labels too lightly with Krylon, but it wouldn't be something that could be consistently reproduced. That and the linen finish is often applied with the mold during the compression process to the entire surface of the chip, not just the inlay area. If you can find someone that prints labels and then applieds a laminated film over the label, you could check to see if they have a film that has a linen finish.

I remember seeing some site from the midwest that was advertising that they do print labels and then apply a laminate over the surface before die-cutting the labels. I was originally a bit doubtful to their claims, but further research revealed that the web site was associated with a company that made large signs for trade shows, so the claim that they make proved to be a bit more believable (even if it is someone just using the equipment at work.) I don't remember the name of the outfit, nor have I ever seen a first hand customer testimonial, so I can't really attest for their labels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTQuest

I have a sample ASM HH with an American Eagle inlay. The inlay is covered with a textured plastic film (according to HPT). Is this considered a linen finish? I know that the WPT chips have the same feel on the inlay, and there's probably other chips out there that do as well. Has anyone ever tried to duplicate this over their custom labels?

Poboy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2005, 02:35 PM

One thing you could try would be to lacquer an extra label sheet and then press in a piece of burlap before it dries. Although, dragging the burlap would smear the texture, and I'm not sure it's worth the tedious efforts. It might work.

PocketRocket · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2005, 02:51 PM

That's a good idea for anyone wanting to experiment with texturing.
You might have been using "lacquer" in a generic sense, but since lacquer tends to react with plastics, and the toner from a laser printer is essentially plastic fused to the paper, an acrylic might be a better choice. And a nylon stocking type material may be a bit finer texture than burlap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poboy

One thing you could try would be to lacquer an extra label sheet and then press in a piece of burlap before it dries. Although, dragging the burlap would smear the texture, and I'm not sure it's worth the tedious efforts. It might work.

babujit1 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2005, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

That's a good idea for anyone wanting to experiment with texturing.
You might have been using "lacquer" in a generic sense, but since lacquer tends to react with plastics, and the toner from a laser printer is essentially plastic fused to the paper, an acrylic might be a better choice. And a nylon stocking type material may be a bit finer texture than burlap.

I don't know how people think up the great ideas on this site.

Nylons never would have entered my mind.

PocketRocket · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2005, 03:15 PM

They say youth is wasted on the young.

But there is nothing that can substitute for experience

... as long as those who have the experience can remember it

Quote:

Originally Posted by babujit1

I don't know how people think up the great ideas on this site.

Nylons never would have entered my mind.

Poboy · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

That's a good idea for anyone wanting to experiment with texturing.
You might have been using "lacquer" in a generic sense, but since lacquer tends to react with plastics, and the toner from a laser printer is essentially plastic fused to the paper, an acrylic might be a better choice. And a nylon stocking type material may be a bit finer texture than burlap.

I've never used lacquer on print, but have seen it used with no adverse effects. Maybe a water based Polyurethane would work better... you just need a clear substance that hardens when it dries.

PocketRocket · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 05:35 PM

I think the commonly used finish around here has been a clear acrylic, like Krylon.

The other thing that you want in addition to a clear finish is one that does not yellow over time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poboy

I've never used lacquer on print, but have seen it used with no adverse effects. Maybe a water based Polyurethane would work better... you just need a clear substance that hardens when it dries.