Create a separate White Ink layer in your file and use black only (K100) to indicate the white ink areas. Darker values represent denser white ink coverage.
We do not recommend adding white ink beneath dark areas. Dark inks already hide the holographic effect, and adding white ink may introduce unwanted color artifacts that affect the overall appearance.
When using white ink beneath color artwork, we recommend insetting the white ink area by 2 pt, where the design allows. This helps reduce stray white ink and visible white edges.
White ink does not have to cover the entire design. Applying it selectively can sometimes produce a better result. Here is a more advanced example:
In the diamond holographic sticker example below, the left version has white ink beneath the whole design. In the center version, white ink is applied beneath the UFO and character for richer colors, while the border, light beams, and yellow dots on the UFO have no white ink, allowing the material's effect to show through. The right version also adds white ink beneath the border, making the remaining diamond holographic areas stand out more. Remember to include bleed in full-bleed white ink artwork as well.
For detailed setup instructions and examples, see our white ink guide.
If you cannot create a white ink layer yourself, upload an editable file and describe the desired white ink areas in your order notes. After payment, our artwork team can help identify suitable areas and offer production advice. We do not provide additional artwork modification or editing services.
Different holographic materials can produce different colors and white ink opacity even when printed with the same artwork. Our holographic card sample pack provides examples for comparison. On textured or patterned holographic materials, such as star or glitter holographic finishes, the underlying effect may remain visible beneath light colors even with 100% white ink coverage.
White ink can reproduce gradients, but very fine or complex designs may look different from the screen because of how ink dots reproduce in print. For intricate artwork or demanding visual requirements, we recommend ordering the minimum order quantity for your selected product as a sample run first to check that the result meets your expectations.
