Rebecca Burt · CLIENT: Flexicon
Stained glass windows are beautiful when backlit by the sun and also a unique way to showcase this design and printing process. These business cards are virtually hand made. Silk screen printed on a clear plastic stock and then dried one colour at a time. Clear areas are treated as a colour unlocking the full design potential of the stock. A pearlescent seal and UV overgloss complete the process and create sophisticated effects. The design really comes to life when the cards are held up to a window.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- These business cards are silk screen printed on a clear plastic stock, then dried one colour at a time. They are virtually hand made. Utilising a process called Opaque Barrier Technique, clear is treated as a colour to create a myriad of effects. A pearlescent seal and UV overgloss were added to complete the design. The design really comes to life when the cards are held up to a window, just as a stained glass window comes to life with the light shining through.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Stock is clear PVC plastic. Width 55mm x Height 90mm.
- Tags
- Brand Identity, Business Card, Screenprinting, Graphic Design
- Production Technology
- Clear effects were designed into the PVC plastic unlocking the full design potential of the clear base stock. Artwork was formatted using a unique and highly-skilled process that ensures accurate registering of colours, positioning and the sequence of ink layers before film is output. Cards are silk screen printed and dried in racks with each colour pass, embellished with a pearl seal, UV overgloss and then die cut.
- Design Challenge
- The most challenging part of this design activity is the production of the cards. Preparation of the artwork files for film output has to be 100% accurate. The screen printing can be challenging as each colour is printed and dried on a rack before the next colour can be added.
- Project Duration
- Project took 6 weeks from design to production completion. Designed and printed in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Operation Flow
- Designing on a clear substrate means transparent or opaque colours can interact from side A to side B, creating sophisticated effects that traditional paper cards cannot deliver. The substrate will outlast a paper card and have less wear and tear.
- Research
- I researched images as they would be telling the story and evoking emotion. The objective was to capture the feeling of the awe and wonderment you feel when observing stained glass windows backlit by the sun. Although there is no religious message or meaning behind the project, I was looking for strong imagery that would not only showcase our passion for the design and print process, but would invoke a feeling of quiet contemplation, as if the observer was in a cathedral, appreciating the craftsmanship and remembering a loved one.
- Inspiration
- The purpose behind this project The Passion of the Card Leadlight Series, was to illustrate the design capabilities for premium plastic business cards. Evan Reiman was an Entrepreneur and Screen Printer by trade and was taught these printing skills by his Father who was an influential figure in his life, but who had passed away. His Father was one of the last people in New Zealand to complete an apprenticeship for making stained glass windows, so the inspiration for these cards was to honour his memory by creating a special series of cards we felt passionate about.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Aaron Lang, Product Photography
Image #2: Photographer Aaron Lang, Product Photography
Image #3: Photographer Aaron Lang, Product Photography
Image #4: Photographer Aaron Lang, Product Photography
Image #5: Photographer Aaron Lang, Product Photography
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