A Unique Technique
This commemorative prayer card for Poe Baltimore demonstrates a creative inversion of the typical foil-over-laminate technique. Instead of applying foil on top of a printed and laminated piece, the printable gold foil is applied first, directly to the substrate. The CMYK artwork is then printed over the foil, followed by a soft touch laminate finish.
Why This Works
By placing the foil under the CMYK layer and laminate, the metallic shimmer becomes diffused through the overlying ink and coating. This creates a subtle, matte shimmer effect rather than the bright, mirror-like reflection of traditional foil applications. The soft touch laminate further subdues the foil's reflectivity while adding a luxurious tactile quality.
The piece was designed by Jericho Vinegar Works to honor Edgar Allan Poe's legacy. The ornate gold frame, rendered in the muted foil technique, evokes the aesthetic of Victorian mourning cards while the soft touch finish invites handling.