It's something of a healthy sign that many people with wide-format printers are now looking to produce jobs which go beyond the normal remit of merely putting standard ink on a piece of material. In overall terms, when special effects are considered, screen-printing is still able to offer the icing on the cake by providing the ability to output the most versatile textures and finishes. But, going against it, is the disadvantage of its being analogue and, thus, a costly option for one-offs and short-runs.

In some ways, the option for producing special effects has become the province of the lower cost machines which appealed to the sign-making fraternity first and foremost. However, it's interesting to see that ability to output interesting finishes is also being adopted by the offset sector who want to bring something different to the party. In truth, any user familiar to wide-format digital print should be able to consider applications which move away from standard colour production. These, too, are the jobs which tend to encourage and justify higher margins.

In terms of finish, high-end wide-format production engines now often carry the capability of offering a glossy or a matte finish achieved during the UV-curable printing process. With these machines, it is the clever use of software and the end material which enables them to be used for more ingenious work. Lenticular is an obvious example where an interlaced image is printed that gives the illusion of animation and depth when viewed at different angles. Not a new concept (the technology was originally developed back in the 1940s), it has been modified for digital production processes and, thus, has found its way into the promotional arena.

Machine manufacturers have played a key role in enabling special effects to be produced. Suitable for industrial as well as commercial applications, there's a notable take-up in interest from related market sectors. Roland has noted that fine-art printers are wanting to work with digital print companies so that unusual finishes and textures can be incorporated into their work. The beauty here is that one-offs and limited edition runs can be generated without financial penalty and, in the latter case, each print can be slightly different. Metallic ink has become popular here, as has the ability to add layers of clear varnish, an option available from both Roland and Mimaki on machines which aren't particularly costly to buy.

There are applications which have to rely on specific ink formulations to fulfil output requirements, and an obvious example is the traffic sign market. Durst has a duo of roll-fed machines, produced in co-operation with 3M which are designed for the manufacture of these signs. They incorporate special inks which meet key requirements in terms of retro-reflectivity and feature a red instead of a magenta in their colour set.

Mutoh, too, has taken on the traffic sign sector with its Zephyr TS which is a relatively low-cost solution for users who want to enter this market. A UV-curable unit, it handles the reflectivity and colour requirements essential for this type of production, with a high gloss print mode.

It is not surprising that many special effect applications are relevant to the narrower-format market, an area which wide-format ink-jet printer manufacturers are now tackling with growing enthusiasm. It was interesting to see an upsurge in smaller devices at FESPA Digital in Hamburg and this is following through with a special narrow-format zone at SGIA Expo in October and the appearance of companies like Mimaki and Roland at Labelexpo.

Typically, labels and short-run packaging have proved to be the ideal candidates for special treatment, extending well beyond commercial and industrial applications into the gift and luxury sectors. Adding textures, tactile finishes and metallics to short-run applications has also seen a growth of interest in personalised book covers, wedding and anniversary albums and other items of memorabilia.

Although overall the options for providing special effects remain moderately limited in the ink-jet sector, what can be achieved is largely a combination of ink and material. Users are finding that, due to the fast set-up and relative lack of expense, experimentation with different finishes and textures can lead to opportunities that truly bring something different to the party. With a mix of commercial, industrial and domestic opportunities presenting themselves, digital production should be able to continue to move forward to produce far more than conventionally printed output.