How Edging or ‘Edge Painting’ Works
To achieve an edging effect, colored pigment or foil is applied to the edges of a short pile of stock after the pieces have been printed.
Paper Stocks
Any color, any weight! The thicker the stock, the more obvious the effect. A colored edge on a letterhead or an even thinner sheet is subtle and a bit mysterious — and it is delightful on the pages of a book or notepad. A colored edge can transform chipboard or blotter paper from industrial to hip or elegant.
Edge Painting Colors
The inks we use for this technique are opaque enough to cover even black board. Fluorescent inks work great. For gilding (true metallic edges) we don’t use any ink at all, but rather a super-thin layer of silver, gold or copper leaf or colored metallic foil. Beveled edges and/or rounded corners maximize the shimmer of gilding.
Why We Love It
It’s such an embellishment, a fashion accent. When we are asked to edge the various pieces of an ensemble in different colors, it becomes like an outfit. For an invitation or a press kit, this effect can set the tone and generate excitement. We can also paint edges in a gradient.
Photos 1-3: Nicole Hill Gerulat
Photos 4-5: Glenn Schuster