Directfx Solutions

Most people think of a label as just a sticker.

In reality, a label is made up of several different components:

• Facestock
• Adhesive
• Liner
• Ink (optional)
• UV coating or laminate (optional)

The first three are what make a pressure-sensitive label work. The ink and protective coatings depend on the application.

For example, we print blank labels that are later imprinted by the end user. Those labels don't need ink or a coating from us.

Different applications require different combinations, which is why we ask so many questions before recommending a label material.

Did you know there was more to a label than paper and adhesive?

Today, we pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Have you ever looked at a magazine under a magnifying glass?

What looks like smooth color is actually made up of tiny dots of just four inks:
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.

By changing the size, spacing, and angle of those dots, printers can create thousands of colors and images. The pattern created is called a rosette.

If a project requires a very specific color, printers can also add specially mixed Pantone spot colors — similar to how paint is mixed at a hardware store.

The scan below came from a magazine we received in the mail. If you look closely, you can see the magenta is just slightly out of register… though you’d never notice it without magnification.

Printing is full of little details most people never get to see.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at directFX Solutions! 💙

Today we celebrate the moms and mother figures who encourage us, support us, and help hold everything together.

We hope your day is filled with love, appreciation, and time with family.

Friday Tip: Bleeds & Safe Area

If you’re designing something for print, here are two things you don’t want to forget: bleed and safe area.

If your background color or image goes all the way to the edge, you’ll need to extend it slightly past the trim (about 1/8"). That’s your bleed — it helps avoid unwanted white edges after cutting.

The safe area is about 1/8" inside the edge. Keep important text and logos inside this space so nothing gets trimmed off.

It’s a small detail that can make a big difference in the final product.

Have you ever had something important get cut off in print?

Designers for print: remember the rule of 4.

When you’re creating artwork for folded books or booklets, your page count needs to be in multiples of four.

This applies to anything made by folding sheets in half and fastening them along the spine (what we call saddle-stitched in the industry).

For example, if your book has 18 pages, you’ll need to add two more. They can be notes pages, blanks, or additional content — or you can adjust your design to fit 20 pages. You could also revise your layout to remove two pages.

Here’s a simple way to picture it:
Fold a piece of paper in half.
The outside left panel is page 1, inside left is page 2, inside right is page 3, and the outside right is page 4.

In a digital-first world, this is often overlooked or misunderstood.

Have you ever run into this when preparing a file for print?

From our families to yours, Happy Easter!

Big wall. Bold impact.

We enjoyed bringing this vinyl wall graphic to life. A big thank you to Simple Spark and PayVantage for trusting us as your print partner.

Projects like this are always rewarding to see come together — and even better to see installed in their final space.

There’s just something special about print.

A custom-printed envelope isn’t just paper — it becomes a reminder of accomplishment and celebration.

Sure, we keep digital files on our phones and in the cloud… but moments like Match Day deserve something you can hold onto. Something that ends up in a scrapbook or tucked away with your favorite memories.

We’re proud to have been part of the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State Match Day celebration again this year. Seeing students celebrate such a huge milestone — and knowing we played a small part in it — means a lot to us.

Congratulations to all of you. You’ve earned it. 🎉