Print It, Feel It – The Power of Print Effects in a Competitive Market

In today’s signmaking world, just printing flat, full-colour graphics isn’t enough to stand out—especially in the crowded visual environments of retail, hospitality, and exhibitions. Clients in Belgium and the Netherlands are becoming more design-conscious, and many are actively looking for premium, tactile, or layered print finishes that elevate their brand experience. That’s where your flatbed printer’s white ink, clear varnish, and texture printing capabilities come into play.

These aren’t just bells and whistles—they’re revenue-boosting tools that allow you to create signage and displays with real depth, contrast, and personality. Whether it’s a raised logo that catches light in a high-end showroom, a white ink base that brings out colour vibrancy on transparent acrylic, or a textured braille sign that adds accessibility and artistry, the ability to go beyond CMYK sets you apart from your competitors.

The good news? Modern flatbed printers like the Mimaki JFX600 or Roland IU-1000F, available through Dimix, are equipped to handle these advanced print effects—efficiently and accurately. But to get the most out of them, you need to understand how they work, where they shine, and what applications offer the best return. We’ll cover all that in this post, and if you’re still researching your ideal machine, circle back to our guide on choosing the right flatbed printer to see which models support these features.

White Ink – The Creative Multiplier

Let’s start with the unsung hero of creative flatbed printing: white ink. At first glance, it might seem like just another channel—but white opens up an entirely new world of substrates and design possibilities. Want to print vibrant colour on black foamboards? You’ll need white ink. Planning to print second-surface designs on transparent acrylic or glass? Again—white is essential.

White ink acts as both a base layer and a spot colour, depending on how you use it. When printed beneath CMYK, it neutralises dark or clear backgrounds, allowing the colour layer to pop with full brightness. When printed on top or in isolation, it can create contrast, mask layers, or even serve as a design element in its own right.

This is particularly useful for applications like:

• Backlit displays, where white backing controls light diffusion.
• Window signage, offering privacy and branding without blocking light.
• Creative packaging prototypes, where contrast and layering matter.
• Signage on wood or metal, where you want parts of the substrate to remain visible.

The key to success? Software control. RIP software like RasterLink or VersaWorks lets you manage white ink as a spot channel or layered pass, giving you full flexibility over how and where white is applied.

We'll look at how clear varnish and texture take this a step further next. Want to see how these effects impact the business side? Jump over to our flatbed ROI guide for the real numbers.

Clear Varnish – Shine, Contrast, and Texture in One Layer

While white ink expands your substrate range, clear varnish (also called gloss ink or clear coat) brings your print to life. It’s a transparent UV ink that can be applied as a full flood, a selective spot layer, or even in multiple layers to create texture. For signmakers serving clients in retail, cosmetics, fashion, and corporate branding, varnish is your go-to effect for high-impact visuals that scream quality.

Used sparingly, clear varnish highlights logos, headlines, or key graphics—much like spot UV in traditional print. Want to catch a shopper’s eye with a shimmering logo under spotlights? Varnish does that. Need to simulate a water droplet or emboss effect? Layered varnish builds up micro-relief textures that are both visible and tactile.

Applications include:

• Luxury retail signs with gloss/matte contrasts
• Product launch displays with 3D graphic elements
• Tactile Braille panels or raised informational signage
• Artistic prints that mimic paint brushstrokes or canvas textures

The most common setup is CMYK + white + clear on machines like the Mimaki JFX200 or Roland EU-1000MF 6C. These printers, supplied by Dimix, offer multi-pass printing and varnish layering with pin-sharp accuracy—perfect for delicate textures or crisp highlights.

One thing to remember: using varnish requires precise file setup and alignment. You’ll typically use a spot colour in your artwork and define varnish zones in the RIP. Once mastered, it’s a game-changing effect that can easily double the value of a basic print.

Combining Layers – Creative Control with Multi-Pass Printing

Here’s where the magic really happens: layering white, CMYK, and clear varnish in one print job to build depth, dimension, and visual drama. This approach—sometimes called “multi-pass” or “multi-layer” printing—is a hallmark of high-end flatbed production. And when done well, it can take your signage and décor work to the next level.

One popular method is three-layer printing: white → CMYK → varnish. This is often used on transparent acrylic or glass, allowing you to print rich colour that appears suspended in the material, topped off with a glossy finish. For backlit displays, you can reverse this order (CMYK → white → varnish) for mounting behind the panel. Both techniques add wow factor—and allow you to position elements on different visual planes.

Another trick? Use clear varnish in layers to simulate depth or relief. With five or six passes of gloss ink, you can create Braille dots, faux embossing, or even 2.5D textured art. This is especially useful in:

• Museum graphics
• Boutique packaging
• Architectural panels
• Interior décor items

The key is knowing your printer’s ink control capabilities and understanding how to prepare layered files. Fortunately, many flatbeds from Dimix-supported brands include advanced RIPs that automate much of this process while keeping alignment pixel-perfect.

Looking for inspiration? Check out our blog on 10 creative flatbed applications for more real-world use cases that use these techniques to maximum effect.

Material Compatibility and Surface Preparation Tips

All the ink effects in the world won’t help if your print doesn’t stick to the surface properly. That’s why understanding material compatibility is just as important as mastering white ink and varnish layering. Fortunately, modern UV inks—especially those supported by printers from Mimaki and Roland—adhere well to a wide range of materials. Still, some substrates require extra care.

Here’s a quick rundown of best practices for working with special effects on common materials:

• Glass & metal: Always clean thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol to remove grease or dust. If your printer supports primer ink, use it—especially for long-term installations.
• Wood & MDF: Sand and de-dust the surface. The more porous the wood, the more ink it will absorb—so test first to manage colour vibrancy.
• Acrylic & PVC: These are generally easy to print on, but static can attract dust. Use ionizing air or antistatic brushes before printing.
• Textured materials: On substrates with texture (like brushed aluminium), do a test print to ensure that varnish or white fills the recesses evenly.

Some signmakers also use adhesion promoters or wipe-on primers for ultra-smooth or low-energy surfaces. It’s always best to consult your ink supplier (such as Dimix) for recommendations based on your chosen substrate and ink set.

Want to avoid costly surprises? Include material testing and ink adhesion checks as part of your pre-production workflow—especially when adding special ink layers. It’ll save time, ink, and keep your clients smiling.

Conclusion – Special Effects That Sell

If you're a signmaker in Belgium, the Netherlands, or Luxembourg, there’s never been a better time to differentiate your offering. Clients aren’t just looking for signs anymore—they’re looking for branded experiences, premium aesthetics, and memorable installations. With a flatbed printer that supports white ink, clear varnish, and texture effects, you can move beyond commodity printing and into a space where your creativity drives your profitability.

Whether you’re producing gallery-style acrylic prints, high-end retail signage, or accessibility signage with tactile Braille, the power of multi-layer flatbed printing lets you push boundaries while delivering exceptional quality. And with support from Dimix, you get more than just a printer—you get expert advice, ink compatibility guidance, and long-term reliability across the Benelux.

Curious which printer setups support these effects? Our post on choosing the right flatbed printer gives you a full breakdown of which models offer white, varnish, and primer support. And if you’re ready to see these effects in action, don’t miss our flatbed applications guide for real-life examples from across the region.

In the world of signage, flat is fine—but texture sells.