How does spot gloss look on matte black?

Glossy areas reflect light and the matte areas absorb it, so a pattern shows up at an angle and disappears straight on.

What is a painted edge?

Paint is applied to the trimmed edges of a clamped stack, cured, then the pieces are separated. There is no fixed 32pt minimum; thin paper gives a finer edge line.

Is spot UV the same as spot gloss?

Spot UV is a gloss coating cured with UV light; a press varnish gives a softer effect.

How do you handle suggest motion with gloss?

Printed stripes in grey would look like a flat texture. A diagonal gloss pattern on matte black that appears as the card turns.

How do you handle red in three places?

Too much red overpowers the monogram. Red for the monogram bar, the name band on the back, and a painted edge around the card.

Case study · Business cards · Jacob Humphries

Jacob Humphries ↗

Motion, on a still card

Card for Cincinnati digital artist Jacob Humphries: diagonal spot gloss stripes and a circle on matte black around a white JH monogram with a red bar, a red painted edge, and a reverse with a red name band.

Business-cards for Jacob Humphries with matte black card, angle-shifting gloss, red edge and pale lettering.

TechniquesPainted Edge

The idea

Jacob Humphries is a digital artist working in photo manipulation and motion graphics, also known as JSH Visuals. His portfolio includes graphics for the Cincinnati Bengals and University of Cincinnati football.

Two rules

01Suggest motion with gloss. A diagonal gloss pattern on matte black that appears as the card turns.
02Red in three places. Red for the monogram bar, the name band on the back, and a painted edge around the card.

Why it works

The gloss makes a static card move a little when you handle it, which suits a motion designer.

Start from these materials

Same paper, foil and finish, locked in — nothing of Jacob Humphries's artwork comes with it.

Open in Studio Ask about this

Questions

How does spot gloss look on matte black?: Glossy areas reflect light and the matte areas absorb it, so a pattern shows up at an angle and disappears straight on.
What is a painted edge?: Paint is applied to the trimmed edges of a clamped stack, cured, then the pieces are separated. There is no fixed 32pt minimum; thin paper gives a finer edge line.
Is spot UV the same as spot gloss?: Spot UV is a gloss coating cured with UV light; a press varnish gives a softer effect.

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