White ink refers to the ability to print white ink on paper or other materials. White ink opens up new creative possibilities for designers, especially when working with dark coloured materials. While most printers use the standard CMYK inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black), TR Trades has two printers that support white ink printing. The first printer is the large format SwissQ UV flatbed printer, which prints on almost any substrate up to 126” x 79.9”. This high-end flatbed printer not only supports white ink, but also supports textured printing and spot gloss. TR Trades small format Beyond CMYK digital printer also has white ink for your small format projects.
To effectively use white ink in digital design, an additional layer called “white ink” needs to be created in the document. Designers should ensure this layer is set to overprint, allowing the white ink to print underneath the CMYK colors. This technique is crucial when working with darker-colored or metallic substrates, as the base white ink acts as a primer to make the colours on top print vibrantly. If the white ink layer is not set to overprint, it may be digitally knocked out or otherwise the white will not print. This will result with the colour ink printing on top being printed directly to the dark substrate, ruining the designers intended look.
In many cases, multiple passes of white ink are required. This is a similar process to applying coats of white primer over a dark paint colour before painting a room a lighter colour. The darker the original substrate, or the more fibrous the original paper, the more layers of white ink are needed. This process increases the cost of printing, but it can beautiful and eye catching effects.
White ink can also be applied over top of other colours when creating images such as clouds or white text. White ink can be applied at different opacities and multiple passes to create different white ink effects.
White ink is an excellent choice for adding unique, creative elements that stand out. Using white ink in graphic design sets your work apart from the ordinary, allowing you to create eye-catching designs across a range of applications:
Braille
Wayfinding & Directional Signage
Wall Murals
Interior Building Décor and Design
Exhibitions
Restaurant Menu and Signage
Brochures and Promotional Materials
When Printing on Dark or Metallic Materials
More
Our solutions cater to both creative and functional needs, offering flexibility for short runs, prototypes, and large-scale projects.
White ink is ideal when working with colored cardstock or special papers and CMYK graphics. For instance, white ink can be used to create striking reversed text on dark backgrounds. It also serves as a base layer, allowing designers to print vibrant or pastel colors on dark materials. Additionally, white ink, in combination with other creative techniques, can enhance the visual impact of materials like holographic or neon stocks. This is particularly beneficial for short to medium print runs, as it provides an effective way to achieve eye-catching results without exceeding budget.
Senior Account Manager
McKenzie joined the TR team with a solid foundation of experience in the print industry. His career began in production, where he developed his skills in maintenance, operations and finishing. Quickly recognized for his talent, initiative and charisma, McKenzie was promoted to Production Lead. At the helm of the production team, he proved a natural leader and infected the team with his positivity and work ethic.
After building his knowledge leading the production team, McKenzie progressed into the Sales department, honing his sales skills under the leadership of Carla Duncan and TR’s customer focused approach. His natural penchant for customer service and dedication to quality assurance proved an ideal fit for the TR sales team where McKenzie now functions as Account Manager.
Never one to rest on his laurels, McKenzie enhanced his knowledge with sales courses at BCIT and can regularly be seen applying his skills throughout the shop. Don’t be surprised to find him supporting the finishing department, assisting clients at the front desk, or onsite ensuring installations surpass customer expectations.
Also goes by: Mac
Interesting fact about McKenzie: he can be found on Wikipedia
Best described in three words as: loyal, funny, and stubborn
Cannot live without: his back massager
Quote to live by: “When you look at someone through rose-coloured glasses, all the red flags just look like flags” – Wanda the Owl
CAD & eProject Manager
When you meet Bruce you automatically know he is a seasoned professional in the reprographics industry. Starting out as a driver for Hughes Owens Printing in 1978, he eventually transitioned to Trimen Blueprinting where he acted as a reprographics technician for 13 years. With the onset of the digital era in 2000, TR Trades hired Bruce as CAD Manager. Since then he has been an invaluable asset to the company and anyone who has questions regarding CAD plotting. When Bruce is not overseeing others in the CAD department, he spends countless hours troubleshooting client issues, unearthing customer print errors, and providing eProject software support. He is regularly looked to for printing advice by both coworkers and clients.
Bruce is also well versed in troubleshooting onsite issues and participating in client presentations, having assisted Carla and TR sales staff in many client meetings. If you’re looking for a history lesson on the print industry or if you want to optimize your drawings for print, you’ll want to call on Bruce. Many may not know, but Bruce is a musician at heart! He originally studied engineering and math, eventually realizing it was not the career path he wished to pursue. Following this, Bruce went on to complete both a music program and a piano technician program through Douglas College. During his spare time, you’ll find him creating music or acting as a vocalist in several bands. When he is not playing the guitar and recording music, you can find Bruce tinkering around on one of his computers or watching hockey.
Also goes by: Stretch
Best described as: Humble
Favourite place in Vancouver: Minnekhada, Coquitlam
Guilty pleasure: Audio software
Favourite TV show: Hockey
Ideal meal: Mac & cheese (with ketchup)
Cannot live without: Music
President
Having worked in the family business since before she can remember, Carla has a natural talent for helping clients reach their printing goals. Always an advocate for education, Carla completed the Marketing Management course at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and then obtained a degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University with a double major in Management Technology and Human Resources. And all of this is in addition to sales and marketing courses at BCIT!
Combining her extensive education with a lifetime of experience, Carla is a driving force behind the success of TR Trades. On a daily basis, she can be found anywhere in the shop, always striving to enhance client satisfaction. Her familiarity with our systems, equipment, and services make her uniquely capable of ensuring clients benefit from every possible way that TR Trades can help businesses grow.
Favourite place in Vancouver: None. She would rather be off the grid camping!
During her free time you can find her: riding her atv or dirtbike, camping in the wild, fishing off the West Coast, fishing in a river, or in her garden.
Ideal meal: steak and double stuffed potatoes
What gets her motivated in the morning: coffee and coming to work!
“If you’re looking for an alternative option to your current print supplier, please call my cell at 604.376.7803. I would love to speak with you about how we can help your business.
