Frequently Asked Questions
Find helpful answers to common questions about ordering custom-printed strut cards. Our FAQs explain artwork preparation, digital proofs, production times, board and finishing choices, rear supports and file specifications. If your question is not covered, our team will be pleased to help.
Strut cards enhanced with soft-touch lamination present a distinctive aesthetic and tactile appeal that markedly differentiates them from those finished with standard lamination techniques. Here’s an in-depth look at their characteristics:
Visual Appearance:
Matte Surface: The soft-touch lamination imparts a matte surface to strut cards, significantly reducing light reflection and glare. This feature not only makes the cards easier on the eyes but also lends a modern, sophisticated appearance that can elevate the perceived quality of the printed material.
Deepened Colours: Due to the matte effect, the colours on show cards appear more profound and intense. This can help make the visuals more striking and memorable, potentially enhancing the card’s effectiveness in capturing attention.
Luxurious Aesthetic: The soft-touch finish is associated with an inherent luxury. It exudes an upscale vibe, making showcards appear more premium and exclusive. This can be particularly advantageous in settings where a high-quality presentation is crucial.
Tactile Qualities:
Velvet-like Feel: One of the most notable features of soft-touch lamination is its unique, velvet-like texture. This smooth and soft finish invites touch, potentially increasing engagement with the strut card.
Enhanced Durability: Adding a layer of soft-touch lamination increases the thickness and sturdiness of Desktop display cards, contributing to a more substantial feel. This not only aids in the card’s ability to stand upright but also enhances its overall durability.
Resistance to Smudges: Unlike glossy finishes, the soft-touch matte surface is less prone to fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a clean and professional look even after multiple interactions.
Durability:
Protective Barrier: Soft-touch lamination acts as a protective barrier, safeguarding the strut cards against spills, stains, and the wear and tear of handling. This protective quality is essential for maintaining the card’s integrity over time.
Longevity: The durability afforded by the soft-touch lamination extends the life of promotional show cards, making them a more economical choice for long-term display or use in environments where they may be subject to frequent handling.
Visual Appearance:
Matte Surface: The soft-touch lamination imparts a matte surface to strut cards, significantly reducing light reflection and glare. This feature not only makes the cards easier on the eyes but also lends a modern, sophisticated appearance that can elevate the perceived quality of the printed material.
Deepened Colours: Due to the matte effect, the colours on show cards appear more profound and intense. This can help make the visuals more striking and memorable, potentially enhancing the card’s effectiveness in capturing attention.
Luxurious Aesthetic: The soft-touch finish is associated with an inherent luxury. It exudes an upscale vibe, making showcards appear more premium and exclusive. This can be particularly advantageous in settings where a high-quality presentation is crucial.
Tactile Qualities:
Velvet-like Feel: One of the most notable features of soft-touch lamination is its unique, velvet-like texture. This smooth and soft finish invites touch, potentially increasing engagement with the strut card.
Enhanced Durability: Adding a layer of soft-touch lamination increases the thickness and sturdiness of Desktop display cards, contributing to a more substantial feel. This not only aids in the card’s ability to stand upright but also enhances its overall durability.
Resistance to Smudges: Unlike glossy finishes, the soft-touch matte surface is less prone to fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a clean and professional look even after multiple interactions.
Durability:
Protective Barrier: Soft-touch lamination acts as a protective barrier, safeguarding the strut cards against spills, stains, and the wear and tear of handling. This protective quality is essential for maintaining the card’s integrity over time.
Longevity: The durability afforded by the soft-touch lamination extends the life of promotional show cards, making them a more economical choice for long-term display or use in environments where they may be subject to frequent handling.
Strut cards with soft-touch lamination will have a distinct look and feel that sets them apart from standard lamination finishes. Here’s a detailed description of their appearance and tactile qualities:
Visual Appearance:
Matte Finish: Soft-touch lamination gives show cards a matte finish, which diffuses light and reduces glare. This results in a sophisticated, high-end look that can make colours appear more vibrant and text-readable.
Rich Colours: The matte surface can enhance the perception of colour depth, making the hues on the custom strut cards appear more prosperous and saturated.
Premium Look: The unique finish of soft-touch lamination often conveys a sense of luxury and exclusivity. It can make the product display cards stand out, especially when visual differentiation is crucial.
Tactile Qualities:
Velvety Texture: Soft-touch lamination provides a soft, smooth texture that is pleasant to touch. This tactile experience can make the strut cards more engaging, encouraging users to interact with the material for extended periods.
Substantial Feel: The added layer of soft-touch lamination can increase the thickness and rigidity of the POS display cards, giving them a more significant and durable feel. This can be particularly beneficial for ensuring the cards stand upright and maintain their shape over time.
Fingerprint Resistance: Unlike glossy finishes, the soft-touch lamination does not readily show fingerprints or smudges, maintaining a clean and professional appearance even after being handled.
Durability:
Protection: The lamination adds a layer of security to the printed surface, making the branded strut cards more resistant to spills, stains, and wear from handling.
Longevity: The enhanced durability provided by soft-touch lamination can extend the lifespan of the strut cards, making them a cost-effective choice for displays that need to remain in good condition for extended periods.
Visual Appearance:
Matte Finish: Soft-touch lamination gives show cards a matte finish, which diffuses light and reduces glare. This results in a sophisticated, high-end look that can make colours appear more vibrant and text-readable.
Rich Colours: The matte surface can enhance the perception of colour depth, making the hues on the custom strut cards appear more prosperous and saturated.
Premium Look: The unique finish of soft-touch lamination often conveys a sense of luxury and exclusivity. It can make the product display cards stand out, especially when visual differentiation is crucial.
Tactile Qualities:
Velvety Texture: Soft-touch lamination provides a soft, smooth texture that is pleasant to touch. This tactile experience can make the strut cards more engaging, encouraging users to interact with the material for extended periods.
Substantial Feel: The added layer of soft-touch lamination can increase the thickness and rigidity of the POS display cards, giving them a more significant and durable feel. This can be particularly beneficial for ensuring the cards stand upright and maintain their shape over time.
Fingerprint Resistance: Unlike glossy finishes, the soft-touch lamination does not readily show fingerprints or smudges, maintaining a clean and professional appearance even after being handled.
Durability:
Protection: The lamination adds a layer of security to the printed surface, making the branded strut cards more resistant to spills, stains, and wear from handling.
Longevity: The enhanced durability provided by soft-touch lamination can extend the lifespan of the strut cards, making them a cost-effective choice for displays that need to remain in good condition for extended periods.
Strut cards with matte lamination distinguish themselves through visual and tactile characteristics, offering subtle elegance and functional durability. Here’s a breakdown of their properties:
Visual Appearance:
Subdued Gloss: Matte lamination provides a subdued gloss that minimizes reflection and glare, enhancing readability under various lighting conditions. This effect contributes to a clean, sophisticated look that can elevate the perceived value of the printed content.
Saturated Colours: While the matte finish softens the sheen, it can make colours appear more saturated, lending a depth to the imagery that might be lost with glossier finishes. This can help draw attention to the strut card‘s visual elements.
Elegant Presentation: The lack of high gloss gives matte laminated strut cards an understated elegance. They can stand out for their simplicity and tasteful presentation, making them suitable for professional settings or occasions requiring a refined aesthetic.
Tactile Qualities:
Smooth Texture: Matte lamination results in a soft, non-glossy surface that feels pleasant. This tactile quality can make the tabletop strut card more engaging, encouraging extended interaction.
Firm Feel: The lamination adds a layer of thickness and rigidity, making the cards feel more substantial and durable. This ensures the cards remain upright and maintain their shape, which is especially important for display purposes.
Reduced Smudging: The matte surface is less prone to showing fingerprints and smudges compared to glossier finishes, helping to keep the appearance of the strut cards clean and professional over time.
Durability:
Protective Layer: The matte lamination acts as a protective layer that shields the strut cards from spills, stains, and general wear from handling. This protection is crucial for preserving the card’s appearance and integrity.
Increased Longevity: Thanks to the added durability of matte lamination, strut cards‘ lifespan is extended. This makes them a practical choice when the cards must remain in good condition for an extended period, offering a cost-effective solution for ongoing display needs.
Visual Appearance:
Subdued Gloss: Matte lamination provides a subdued gloss that minimizes reflection and glare, enhancing readability under various lighting conditions. This effect contributes to a clean, sophisticated look that can elevate the perceived value of the printed content.
Saturated Colours: While the matte finish softens the sheen, it can make colours appear more saturated, lending a depth to the imagery that might be lost with glossier finishes. This can help draw attention to the strut card‘s visual elements.
Elegant Presentation: The lack of high gloss gives matte laminated strut cards an understated elegance. They can stand out for their simplicity and tasteful presentation, making them suitable for professional settings or occasions requiring a refined aesthetic.
Tactile Qualities:
Smooth Texture: Matte lamination results in a soft, non-glossy surface that feels pleasant. This tactile quality can make the tabletop strut card more engaging, encouraging extended interaction.
Firm Feel: The lamination adds a layer of thickness and rigidity, making the cards feel more substantial and durable. This ensures the cards remain upright and maintain their shape, which is especially important for display purposes.
Reduced Smudging: The matte surface is less prone to showing fingerprints and smudges compared to glossier finishes, helping to keep the appearance of the strut cards clean and professional over time.
Durability:
Protective Layer: The matte lamination acts as a protective layer that shields the strut cards from spills, stains, and general wear from handling. This protection is crucial for preserving the card’s appearance and integrity.
Increased Longevity: Thanks to the added durability of matte lamination, strut cards‘ lifespan is extended. This makes them a practical choice when the cards must remain in good condition for an extended period, offering a cost-effective solution for ongoing display needs.
Laminating strut cards enhances their visual appeal, tactile experience, and overall durability, making them more effective for display and marketing. Here’s an in-depth look at the benefits:
Visual Appeal:
Enhanced Gloss or Matte Finish: Depending on the desired effect, laminate can be applied with either a gloss or matte finish. A gloss finish amplifies colours and brightness, making images pop and attracting attention. A matte finish, on the other hand, offers a subdued, elegant look that reduces glare and improves readability.
Vibrant Colors: Lamination intensifies the colours on strut cards, making them appear more vibrant and eye-catching. This is particularly beneficial for designs that rely on colour contrast and vivid imagery to convey a message or brand identity.
Professional Look: The added lamination layer gives Cardboard strut displays a more polished and professional appearance. This can elevate the perceived quality of the card, reflecting positively on the brand or message being promoted.
Tactile Experience:
Improved Texture: Depending on the type of lamination, tabletop strut cards can have a smoother (gloss) or softer (matte) feel. This tactile enhancement makes the cards more pleasant to handle and can increase engagement with the content.
Substantial Feel: Lamination adds thickness and stiffness to Retail display cards, giving them a more significant and durable feel. This is especially important for cards that need to stand upright without bending or curling.
Clean Handling: A laminated surface is less prone to fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a clean and professional look even after being handled by multiple people.
Durability:
Protection Against Damage: Lamination acts as a protective barrier that shields the printed surface from spills, stains, dust, and grease. This is crucial for maintaining the card’s integrity and appearance over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
Increased Longevity: The protective qualities of lamination extend the lifespan of point of sale cards by making them more resistant to handling wear and tear and environmental factors such as humidity and sunlight. This ensures that the cards remain in good condition for longer periods, offering better value for the investment.
Resistance to Fading: Laminated Marketing strut cards are less likely to fade, as the lamination provides UV protection. This is particularly beneficial for cards displayed in areas exposed to natural light, ensuring that the colours and text remain vibrant and legible over time.
Visual Appeal:
Enhanced Gloss or Matte Finish: Depending on the desired effect, laminate can be applied with either a gloss or matte finish. A gloss finish amplifies colours and brightness, making images pop and attracting attention. A matte finish, on the other hand, offers a subdued, elegant look that reduces glare and improves readability.
Vibrant Colors: Lamination intensifies the colours on strut cards, making them appear more vibrant and eye-catching. This is particularly beneficial for designs that rely on colour contrast and vivid imagery to convey a message or brand identity.
Professional Look: The added lamination layer gives Cardboard strut displays a more polished and professional appearance. This can elevate the perceived quality of the card, reflecting positively on the brand or message being promoted.
Tactile Experience:
Improved Texture: Depending on the type of lamination, tabletop strut cards can have a smoother (gloss) or softer (matte) feel. This tactile enhancement makes the cards more pleasant to handle and can increase engagement with the content.
Substantial Feel: Lamination adds thickness and stiffness to Retail display cards, giving them a more significant and durable feel. This is especially important for cards that need to stand upright without bending or curling.
Clean Handling: A laminated surface is less prone to fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a clean and professional look even after being handled by multiple people.
Durability:
Protection Against Damage: Lamination acts as a protective barrier that shields the printed surface from spills, stains, dust, and grease. This is crucial for maintaining the card’s integrity and appearance over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
Increased Longevity: The protective qualities of lamination extend the lifespan of point of sale cards by making them more resistant to handling wear and tear and environmental factors such as humidity and sunlight. This ensures that the cards remain in good condition for longer periods, offering better value for the investment.
Resistance to Fading: Laminated Marketing strut cards are less likely to fade, as the lamination provides UV protection. This is particularly beneficial for cards displayed in areas exposed to natural light, ensuring that the colours and text remain vibrant and legible over time.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Show cards, Counter displays, Point of Display cards, Strutted display cards are all common names for the same product but we simply prefer the term Strut cards.
There are alternative products like tent cards and table talkers that can do a similar job, however the range of sizes and orientation finishes we provide with our Strut Cards provides you with an unparalleled range of display options to get your message across.
There are alternative products like tent cards and table talkers that can do a similar job, however the range of sizes and orientation finishes we provide with our Strut Cards provides you with an unparalleled range of display options to get your message across.
We offer narrow DL all the way up to giant A0! Take a look at our homepage for more details on the sizes available. Should you need a custom size, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Yes, they are both recyclable and biodegradable. The board itself is made from 100% recycled material.
Each strut card is printed on sturdy matt board with a thickness of 2000 microns (2mm).
Strut card order quantities below 500 are printed using professional digital printing technology. Order quantities of 500 and above are printed using modern litho press equipment.
Our strut cards are supplied flat with the backing strut attached. Simply fold out the strut to display and refold to take down and store for reuse.
No problem; we can print in landscape orientation for landscape display!
Not a problem; we offer a variety of shapes, including star, trophy, present and many more. You can see our pre-made shapes on our homepage under ‘Shapes’. We can also create custom shapes to your specifications – so just get in touch.
Head over to our contact page for full details.
This varies between products but we can usually deliver within 3-7 working days. Your email confirmation will include an estimated delivery date but should you need an order urgently, we do offer priority delivery; please get in touch for more details.
Yes, we’ll be able to confirm the cost of delivery once the weight and dimensions of the delivery is known. Please note that there may be additional customs charges.
Yes, we can send to one or more addresses for you either by Royal Mail or by a tracked courier service. There’ll be an extra charge for each delivery.
Yes, just let us know that this is a requirement and we’ll ensure that the delivery note/packaging is completely unbranded. We never enclose invoices with our deliveries.
Most of our deliveries are sent using DPD who provide a 1 hour time slot for delivery. We occasionally use other couriers so if the tracking link and one hour delivery window is important then just let us know and we’ll ensure your print job is delivered by DPD.
Yes – all our paper stocks are sourced from FSC approved stockists. We recycle all our waste paper and ink/toner cartridges and our lithographic inks are 100% vegetable based. For further information, please visit our ‘Environment’ page, under ‘About Us’.
All of our paper stocks are fully recyclable as long as lamination is applied to a maximum of just one side.
We’ll contact FSC on your behalf to seek approval to print the logo. The FSC claim will relate to the claim on the paper being used (most commonly FSC recycled or FSC mix). Once permission to use the logo has been granted, our pre-press team will add the appropriate FSC logo and claim to your artwork and a PDF proof will be sent to you for approval.
As many as you like. We print by mixing Blue (otherwise known as cyan), red (otherwise known as magenta) yellow and black. This is referred to as CMYK and from these 4 colours we can produce all the colours of the rainbow.
There is sometimes a reduced cost for black only printing but if you’re having colour print then you can include as many colours as you like at no extra cost. There would only be an additional cost if you require a Pantone colour (this is where a specific ink is used rather than creating the colour from the standard (CMYK) 4 colour process.
Most of our printed products (excluding brochures) are printed using a single sheet of paper. We print on one side of the sheet for single sided printing and on both sides of the sheet for double sided printing.
If you’re ordering a product that will be folded and no print is required on the inside, (e.g. document corners) or will enclose your product (e.g. box sleeves, belly bands, pillow boxes etc) then these will usually be printed single sided so that once the sheet is trimmed down and folded or joined you will see print on all sides (front and back for a folded item or on all 4 outer sides for a box sleeve or pillow box).
If you’re ordering a product that will be folded and no print is required on the inside, (e.g. document corners) or will enclose your product (e.g. box sleeves, belly bands, pillow boxes etc) then these will usually be printed single sided so that once the sheet is trimmed down and folded or joined you will see print on all sides (front and back for a folded item or on all 4 outer sides for a box sleeve or pillow box).
PDF proofs will be sent by email for your approval as standard. There is no charge for this.
For digital and large format printed jobs we can send you a printed sample if required – there may be a small charge for this to cover costs.
For litho printed jobs we can send you a printed proof via our Epson SureColour P7000 which is calibrated with the litho presses; we can also supply you with samples of paper and unprinted brochure mock ups. There may be a small charge for this service.
For digital and large format printed jobs we can send you a printed sample if required – there may be a small charge for this to cover costs.
For litho printed jobs we can send you a printed proof via our Epson SureColour P7000 which is calibrated with the litho presses; we can also supply you with samples of paper and unprinted brochure mock ups. There may be a small charge for this service.
No worries! Our friendly sales team are on hand to talk you through the process without the use of jargon. Our design team are available to help with artwork and our pre-press and production teams will check the quality at all stages.
Rest assured – your print run is in experienced hands.
Rest assured – your print run is in experienced hands.
These days there is very little difference in terms of quality between the 2 methods and you’d be hard pushed to tell which printing method had been used when examining a finished product.
Lithographic printing is cost effective for larger runs and can accommodate a larger sheet size of up to B2.
Digital printing is cost effective for smaller runs and is limited to a sheet size of A3.
Our sales team will select the most suitable method for you but if you have a particular preference for litho printing (e.g. if pantone colours are required) then just let our team know.
Lithographic printing is cost effective for larger runs and can accommodate a larger sheet size of up to B2.
Digital printing is cost effective for smaller runs and is limited to a sheet size of A3.
Our sales team will select the most suitable method for you but if you have a particular preference for litho printing (e.g. if pantone colours are required) then just let our team know.
Our large format printers can print up to 3 meters in width with no limit to length. Large format printing is used for banners, roller banners and printed boards.