About Thermographic Printing
Some generic names for Thermography include: "Virko" a trade name for a machine that is used in thermograph printing and "Raised Print" which is an obvious way to describe the appearance of the product.
The process involves printing the sheet of paper or board by the litho process then sprinkling a thermographic powder onto the sheet so that it adheres to the wet ink, vacuuming the surplus powder off the sheet then submitting the sheet to a very high temperature for +/- 5 seconds. This "Bakes" the powder with the ink and raises the image.
The process was first developed to imitate the old fashioned Die-Stamping process which used expensive, often hand engraved Dies. It became popular in its own right and is now used on Business cards, Letterheads, Compliment Slips, Labels, Packaging, Wedding Stationery, Invitations, Covers, Calendars, Mouse/Jotter Pads and in fact anywhere where a high quality printing is paramount. It catches the eye because it is not just flat print, you can feel it and people equate it with quality.
We are the only company in South Africa to specialise completely in commercial Thermographic printing.
Flame Print is the South African agent for Faust's Thermographic powders.