Once your project comes off the press, there's still more to go! At the very least, all jobs are cut to size (since they're printed on larger sheets). But there are also special options to make your print project extra special.

You may have seen a postcard or business card with a metallic foil logo on it; this has been foil-stamped. This process requires making a metal "die" in the desired shape or design (imagine a rubber stamp, but made of metal) that is heated up and then presses a sheet of foil onto the printed item. The foil has a special adhesive that forms a permanent bond with the stock because of the heat applied onto it by the foil stamping die.

There are a wide variety of foils to achieve different effects: the most common are metallic foils, which are available in matte, glossy or textured finishes, as well as solid color foils and special effects foils, which can be used to give an item a pearl finished, or to apply a holographic watermark, for example.

Embossing is the process by which a paper or cardstock is physically punched to raise or lower an area of the paper. This is commonly used for logos, to make them stand out from the rest of the print, although sometimes the emboss is applied to an empty portion of the paper, creating a watermark-type effect (this is known as a blind emboss). The embossing process is identical to the foil stamping process described above, where a metal die is made in the desired shape, and then pressed into the paper.

In order for a card to have a custom shape, instead of having square corners, it must be die-cut. Much like foil stamping or embossing, die-cutting involves created a special cutting die in the desired shape (very similar to a cookie cutter!), and punching the paper or cardstock at the right position. Depending on how intricate the shape is, some detail may be sacrificed, it's always best to consult with your printer when submitting artwork to be die-cut.