Special Effects

In the best interest of printed artwork it is almost expected by collectors that varnish is applied to the art-print. We use strictly serigraph UV varnish, which protects, enhances the colors and adds more life to the finished print. Kolibri uses the highest quality German UV varnish commercially available. The varnish does not have bubbles, does not crack, and does not leave a milky effect or turn yellow. Varnish is available for canvas, paper or board with matte, satin, gloss or double-gloss surface.

The silkscreen process tends to create a print with a distinct tactile surface because each color printed is a layer of ink rather than an imprint made by pressing the paper against an inked plate.

By adding thickening agents to clear gloss coatings and printing with screens with a more open mesh this textural effect can be further emphasized.

This is done in much the same way that a color separation is done. A drawing in black ink is made of the texture that is desired. It can be an all over effect or limited to certain areas. It could have the look of brush strokes or could simply emphasize certain lines or design elements.

Once the drawing is created it is put onto a screen and into the printing press. It can be printed once or for a more dramatic effect, printed two or three times to build up the surface. This can also be done with UV cure ink over a UV varnish.

It is possible to apply a layer of glitter to a print. A drawing is made of the areas that the glitter is to be applied and the art is burned onto a special screen designed to allow the glitter to pass through the mesh and onto the print.

There are a wide variety of glitters available for silkscreen printing therefore the color range is not limited.

The same technique is used to add textural elements to a print. Colored sand available at art supply stores, dry pigments and even reflective beads can be added to clear varnishes or colored inks, adding a unique surface to the print.

Metallic inks, pearlescent and interference pigments add a subtle but dynamic richness to a fine art print.

The areas printed with these inks will be a bit glossier but will also have a metallic sheen when viewed from certain angles in the case of the metallic colors.

The pearlescent or interference pigments will change color when viewed from different angles, much like looking at the iridescence of a butterfly's wings.