Dual raised printing is the most dimensional finish we offer: two raised embellishments on the same piece, each with its own texture and shine. Pair two foils, like gold with silver or metallic with holographic, or pair a foil with glossy raised Spot UV. Every dual raised product is printed on 16 pt premium cardstock and laminated on both sides with a 1.5 mil scuff-resistant velvet soft touch (suede) laminate, for a soft, substantial 19 pt piece.

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Want a single raised foil? See our raised foil printing collection. Velvet without embellishment? See Velvet Soft Touch Business Cards and Velvet Soft Touch Postcards.

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What Is Dual Raised Printing?

Dual raised printing combines two raised finishes on the front of a piece, placed in separate areas that don’t overlap. You can see and feel both: raised foil stands about 60 microns above the card, and raised Spot UV, a clear glossy coating, about 50 microns. On the soft velvet surface, the two textures feel distinctly different under the fingertips, which is what makes dual raised so memorable.

The Four Dual Raised Combinations

CombinationThe lookBest for
Gold + silver foilTwo-tone metallic, classic and heritageMonograms, crests, wealth and law firms, weddings
Gold or silver + holographic foilClassic metal with a color-shifting accentJewelers, fashion, New Year’s Eve, modern brands
Gold or silver foil + raised Spot UVMetallic logo beside a glossy raised textureReal estate, hospitality, invitations with lace or patterns
Holographic foil + raised Spot UVColor-shifting holo with a glossy raised patternCreators, streetwear, beauty, nightlife

Velvet Soft Touch (Suede)

Velvet, suede and soft touch name the same finish: a 1.5 mil scuff-resistant laminate on both sides of 16 pt cardstock, for a soft, matte, 19 pt piece. It gives colors a rich depth and makes both raised finishes stand out by contrast.

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Dual Raised vs. Raised Foil vs. Raised Spot UV vs. Akuafoil

Dual RaisedRaised FoilRaised Spot UVAkuafoil
What it isTwo raised finishes on one pieceOne raised foilA raised clear gloss layerFull color over a silver foil base
FeelTwo distinct textures (about 60 and 50 microns)Raised about 60 micronsRaised about 50 micronsSmooth
ColorsGold, silver, holographic, plus clear glossGold, silver, holographicClearAny metallic color, gradients
Best forThe most dimensional premium piecesA single standout foil you can feelGlossy texture on patterns and logosVibrant multi-color metallic

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Dual Raised Design Guide

  • Separate the two finishes. The embellishments must sit in separate areas and never overlap or knock out of each other; registration can shift up to 1/16″, so leave a little space.
  • Give each finish a job: foil for logos and names, raised Spot UV for patterns and textures.
  • Mind the coverage: about 30% of the artwork for foil (up to 50% for patterns, thin strokes and small shapes), with each foil area ideally within about 1″ x 1″.
  • Keep it bold: raised foil text 10 pt+ (12 pt for bold or thick fonts) and lines 1 pt+. Raised Spot UV can go a little finer: text 9 pt+ and lines 0.5 pt+.
  • Solid backgrounds under foil: remove CMYK elements beneath foil areas.
  • Deep card colors make gold and silver glow; light colors make holographic bright and modern.

Dual Raised File Setup

  1. CMYK artwork for the front, and for the back if printing both sides.
  2. Mask 1: a vector black-and-white file for the first embellishment, with solid 100% K for the raised areas and white elsewhere.
  3. Mask 2: a second vector mask for the second embellishment (another foil or raised Spot UV).
  4. No shadows, glows or grayscale in either mask, and no overlap between them.
  5. Name files clearly: File-Front-CMYK, File-Front-Mask-Gold, File-Front-Mask-SpotUV, File-Back-CMYK.

Artwork can be a print-ready PDF, JPG, PNG or other image format; masks must be vector. No masks? Our designers can create them. Every order includes a free proof. More in our Dual Raised FAQs and dual raised printing guide.

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Larger Quantities?

The calculator goes from 100 to 1,000, but that isn’t our limit. Print as many designs as you need (grouped in sets of up to 15 for group shipping savings). Request a custom quote.

Need help placing two raised finishes or building masks? Chat live, contact us, call (888) 391-0199, or read our Dual Raised FAQs and our dual raised printing guide. Our designers can create both masks or your whole design.

Dual Raised Printing FAQs

What is dual raised printing?

Two raised finishes on one piece, two foils or a foil plus raised Spot UV, placed in separate areas, on 19 pt velvet soft touch (suede) stock.

What combinations are available?

Gold + silver foil; gold or silver + holographic foil; gold or silver foil + raised Spot UV; or holographic foil + raised Spot UV.

What products offer dual raised?

Business cards, invitation cards, postcards, folded greeting cards and hang tags.

Can the two embellishments overlap?

No. They must be in separate areas that don't overlap or knock out of each other.

How raised are the finishes?

Raised foil is about 60 microns and raised Spot UV about 50 microns.

What's the difference between raised foil and raised Spot UV?

Raised foil is metallic (gold, silver or holographic). Raised Spot UV is a clear, glossy raised coating that adds texture and shine without color.

How many files do I need?

CMYK artwork for each printed side plus two vector masks for the front, one per embellishment.

What stock is used?

16 pt premium cardstock laminated on both sides with 1.5 mil velvet soft touch (suede), 19 pt total.

What's the minimum order?

100 per design, with as many designs as you need. For larger quantities, contact us for a custom quote.