Under pressure

As we have seen packaging, that is mainly the label plays a significant part in selling most wines today. It is only natural that every winery wants to give their wines creative, memorable look as far as possible. A few phrases to help you navigate the language of printing operations, which is often difficult for outsiders to understand.   

CMYK / direct colour

Colour graphics can be resolved and printed using four primary colours: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K).

However, there are cases where non-mixable colours (e.g. silver, gold) or a specific colour (e.g. a specific colour for a logo) need to be printed. In these cases, a specific colour from the Pantone colour chart is printed. As this is a uniform system, the end result will be the same in any printing plant in the world.

Foiling, varnishing

Both processes are used to change and protect the surface, making the paper smoother and more resistant to grease and water. There are matt and glossy versions, so everyone can find the one that suits them best.

Formal varnish, embossing varnish

In this operation, the varnish acts as an additional colour. It can be applied to a given area of the paper, in any shape you like, i.e. you can even highlight your cellar logo or the name of the wine, as the varnished surface has a different refraction and shine. A glossy form varnish is usually used on a matt-finished surface for a better result. In addition to the visual appearance, the form varnished part is also different to the touch. If this is the aim, then using embossed lacquer can make important details stand out even more.

Die-cutting

If you want any shape other than straight cuts, you need to die-cutting. This is done using a custom-made knife shape, the knife cuts the excess out of the paper in the same way that housewives cut scones. In this way, you can create labels in very special shapes.

As a general tip, when designing labels, it is advisable to check with the printer in advance and find out the feasibility and cost of the surface finishes (varnishing, foiling) and die-cutting you have chosen. As these are labour-intensive processes and may involve additional costs (film costs, die-cutting tooling, etc.), this will avoid unpleasant surprises later on.

László Burai