Printing light ink on dark paper

Opaque white (and most metallics) should do the trick. Depending on your press you may be well-advised to double print each invitation to maximize opacity.

I’ve printed silver metallic on navy and chocolate brown stock, on a Pilot, with fantastic results. This was all foundry type, though. I don’t know if you would have coverage problems with a larger image.

As suggested, metallic gold or silver will work well and should be fairly easy to print. Opaque white will probably not be completely opaque, so unless your friend will be happy with what could be a nice effect, a pale blueish-white (from show-through), or unless you want the headache of double printing as mentioned, I’d recommend avoiding the white - or at the very least, do an experiment and run some samples for approval before committing to the whole job in white.

Dave (the Ink in Tubes guy)

I have not tried this trick, but I was told if you want a more solid white you can add a touch of silver to it..

I have printed opaque white both with offset and letterpress and it is more opaque on the letterpress by far but still has some show thru which can be very nice, just depends on what you want to accomplish.

Angela

I have not tried this trick, but I was told if you want a more solid white you can add a touch of silver to it..

I have printed opaque white both with offset and letterpress and it is more opaque on the letterpress by far but still has some show thru which can be very nice, just depends on what you want to accomplish.

Angela

I think I’m going to start printing with silver ink first since it sounds easier than using white ink.
Thanks for sharing great info!

The silver is very opaque but it tends to look grey and flat — not metallic! There are some posts on trying to make it look more metallic and I haven’t had a chance to try them. My silver is pantone 877 and is van son brand. I haven’t had much time to experiment with it, I tried it on a dark brown and it was not very metallic.

You’re right, there were some posts or a thread about this several weeks back. Basically, metallic inks need to print on coated stock or other very smooth surface in order to look the best, and even at best won’t look as metallic as thermograving, let alone foil stamping. On the rough surface (at a microscopic level) of uncoated papers, the tiny metal flakes simply can’t align flat enough to reflect enough light to appear very metallic. If you can’t print a job on coated stock or thermograve or foil it, you have to try to make the area to be printed as smooth as you can by printing the image first with a varnish or undercoat of ink to help level and seal the paper. Printing a gloss varnish on top of the ink will help it look more shiny but can’t really make the ink itself be more metallic nor reflect more light. Have fun trying different things and see the various effects, and what works best!

Dave

The only way I have ever seen something like you describe look really decent in if it is done on an engraving press. Engraving ink is a lot thicker and the paper will not show through the ink if done right.

Good luck

Brent Weaver
Mankato, MN

I printed gold ink awhile ago on chocolate brown, and the effect was awesome. http://joiestudio.blogspot.com/2007/12/awesome-envelopes.html

For the record, my gold from Accent Ink seems to be a bit more metallic looking on flat paper than my Van Son silver, but I’m not sure if I’m just seeing things.

Those are gorgeous envelopes. Regarding your ink, either you’re not seeing things or we both are- my Accent Ink silver is definitely brighter than my Van Son gold.

Hi - Found this thread as I was looking into the best gold ink to try. Does anyone know where to find Accent Ink? Their website seems to be down…not sure if they are still around? Thank you in advance!