Metallic Stickers (with Akuafoil)

With Akuafoil, you can transform a wide range of CMYK colors into multi-colored foils. This effect gives your stickers a metallic appearance to part or all of your artwork. Akuafoil uses a unique processed foil system that is affordable and delivers prints that stand out from the crowd.

For an Akuafoil job, you must include an Akuafoil mask file along with your CMYK file. The mask file indicates where the Akuafoil will be applied. Use 100%K where you want us to apply Akuafoil and white where the Akuafoil is not applied. If you do not provide a mask file, we will apply Akuafoil to the entire print.

Features of Metallic Stickers with Akuafoil

• Enjoy multiple colors in foil on the same design
• UV coating is added to the stickers
• Apply Akuafoil to part or all of your image
• We inspect art and mask files

The below image showcases the differences between the CMYK colors and Akuafoil areas.

How to Apply Akuafoil to Designated Areas

As shown above, the file on the left is the normal CMYK print file. If you only want the logo to be Akuafoil, then your Akuafoil mask file should look like the file on the right. The white indicates no Akuafoil and the black 100%K indicates where the Akuafoil will be applied. When uploading, please remember to upload separate files.

How to Make Areas Appear Silver

If you would like to add plain silver Akuafoil to your stickers, make sure to have at least 15%K in your normal print file area. The right side shows how the mask file would need to be set up. 

Special Notes About Akuafoil

• Make sure your mask and CMYK print files are aligned. They should match exactly in size and position.
• Akuafoil works best on lighter colors. The darker the CMYK color, the less vibrant the metallic effect.
• Do not use very thin or small text and artwork with Akuafoil. Use San Serif fonts above 12 points for best results.
• If you have Akuafoil applied to a white area, it will have a plain silver Akuafoil look.

Preferred Art Specs for Stickers

• The resolution of your art file should be 300dpi. This is the minimum for high-quality printing. 
• We need a bleed area to print edge-to-edge. For instance, if you order a 4x6 postcard, the file should be 4.25" x 6.25" in size. All important items should be within a 3.75" x 5.75" area.
• If you plan to add Akuafoil to designated areas of your art, you must provide a mask file. We will not create it for you. Mask files should be vectored.

Turnaround Time 

Orders take 3-5 business days to complete. This time period includes art setup, but not proofing or shipping. 

More Information about Akuafoil

Akuafoil provides the same elegant foil finish as cold foil printing. Yet, Akuafoil employs a different printing process than traditional cold foil printing. With Akuafoil, a layer of silver ink is applied under standard colors, resulting in glimmering metallic inflections.

Setting up an Akuafoil file is slightly different than setting up a standard print file. Here are some requirements you will need to keep in mind:

• Your mask file should use white to indicate no foil and black to determine where you would like your foil finish to appear.
• Your mask and CMYK print files will need to align perfectly to deliver the best possible results.
• Akuafoil looks best in lighter colors. The darker your CMYK color is, the less metallic the Akuafoil will appear.
• You should avoid tiny or thin text as well as small artwork when using spot Akuafoil. Sans Serif fonts 12 points and higher work best.