Metallic ink simulation on white substrates

Metallic inks are widely used as a premium design element in packaging, particularly for cosmetics and tobacco products, and are increasingly common in food packaging such as chewing gum or chocolate. While some inkjet systems offer metallic inks for prototype proofing, the visual results are often unsatisfactory, typically appearing dull or gray rather than truly metallic.

If you are aiming for a more realistic, high-gloss finish, GMG substrate proofing provides a more effective approach.

By combining the advanced proofing and profiling technologies of GMG ColorProof and GMG OpenColor, it is possible to achieve convincing metallic effects using standard inks printed on metallic foil. This method enables the simulation of a wide range of metallic colors, including PANTONE Metallics as well as custom-defined colors.

Subtler metallic effects are created by applying a white undercoat. By precisely controlling the amount of white ink, you can fine-tune both the intensity of the metallic effect and the level of gloss for each individual color. In addition, a paper tint simulation is automatically applied to non-image areas, ensuring an accurate representation of the final production substrate.

In the example above, you can see a substrate proof of a chewing gum package. In areas without artwork, such as on the left side, 100% white is automatically printed on the foil. Elsewhere, the amount of white ink is precisely adjusted to achieve a realistic simulation of the metallic effect created by the two metallic inks.

For proofing on metallic substrates, proof printers equipped with white ink can be used, such as the Epson SureColor SC-S80600 or Epson SureColor SC-S9100. For a complete overview of compatible devices, media, and print modes, please refer to our documentation on Supported proof printers, proof media, and print modes.

A step-by-step guide to simulating metallic inks on white substrates is available in the following OpenColor Help Center article: How to simulate metallic inks on white substrates