Holographic foil cards for the Virtual Realms exhibition at the WA Museum
When the WA Museum Boola Bardip came to us asking for a holographic foil, on a QR code, on a business card, on matte black board... there was every chance the print would fail. The main concern was getting the detail for the QR code on the black board. Foil prints are expensive (doubly so with holographic foil) as there is no way to produce a sample quickly and cheaply as you have to invest in setting up the full foiling process.
Foil printing is a unique, custom printing process that relies on metallic paper (foil), pressure and heat to transfer the foil onto the finished paper. Foil printing creates an incredible look that is perfect for highlighting details in a design, creating visual interest, or for premium brands looking to use a luxurious printing technique stand out from other brands.
The great thing about foil printing is that there is a huge selection of colours and finishes available. Gold and silver are the most typical colours used, however holographic and pearlescent foils are also available and can create incredible colours and features within a printed design. For the WA Museum Boola Bardip, the effects of the holographic foil tied in perfectly with the theme of Virtual Realms, an ‘immersive exhibition that redefines digital creativity, where the world of video games spills out beyond the screen.’ Held at different angles, the colours of the holographic foil jump off the matte black card, creating an awesome sense of depth.
The use of a QR code in this project created an additional challenge. QR codes require clearly defined edges for scanners to pick them up, and printed in foil at a small size for business card sized flyers meant there was a risk the code may not be detailed enough with the foil. Thankfully, the Western Australian Museum were willing to take on the risk and collaborated with us to test the foil process. We worked together to successfully de-bug the holographic finish and deliver a QR code that is sharp in detail, and jumps off the paper. Exactly what the brief specified, and the ideal result for an exhibition that (quite literally) jumps off the walls!