Graphic screen printing — posters, art prints and collectibles
Screen printing on paper, with the same craftsmanship as our textile printing. For galleries, illustrators, theatres, festivals, bands, brands and everything in between. Up to 70×100 cm. Unlimited Pantone colours by arrangement, with optional hot foil stamping in gold, silver or holographic finishes.
Why screen printing on paper?
Digital printing can produce posters in seconds. Screen printing requires more preparation and costs more per piece. So why choose it?
Character that digital can't reproduce
Screen printing ink sits on the paper — not in it. That gives a tactile surface you can feel when you point at it. Specific effects like metallic, fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark or custom Pantone mixes are practically impossible on a digital home printer but standard fare for screen printing.
Vibrant colours
Pure Pantone pigments instead of CMYK rastering. A deep blue is genuinely deep blue — not a composition of dots. Especially for illustrations with flat colour areas — poster-style designs — the difference is enormous.
Collectible value
A digitally printed poster is a copy. A screen-printed poster is a handmade object with variation between pieces. That makes screen printing the first choice for limited editions, signed-and-numbered art prints and collectibles where collectors will pay premium prices.
Long lifespan
Good screen printing inks on decent paper don’t fade. A poster from 20 years ago still looks like it did then — which makes screen printing suitable for archival purposes, anniversary collections and anything that needs to hang on a wall for decades.
What we print
Screen-printed posters are produced for a wide variety of clients and purposes.
Galleries, illustrators & art prints
Limited edition art prints are classic screen printing territory. We regularly work with illustrators selling through galleries or online, and with galleries releasing print editions to support an exhibition. Often signed & numbered editions of 50-200 pieces, sometimes with artist proofs for the illustrator.
Museums, theatres & cultural institutions
Exhibition posters, performance posters per production, anniversary editions. Screen printing fits the craft aesthetic that cultural institutions often want — more character than a standard digitally-printed poster. We print regular runs for promotion alongside collector editions for the museum shop.
Brands, anniversaries & corporate art
Companies marking a milestone — a 25-year anniversary, a product launch, a rebrand moment — increasingly commission a screen-printed poster. Often a limited run as a gift for staff, partners or special clients. Pantone precision matched to your brand identity, so the poster fits seamlessly with your visual system.
Tour posters, gig posters & festival merch
The classic band/festival application. Tour posters per stop, festival posters for the merch stand, album launch posters for sale at gigs. Often in collaboration with an illustrator. For international tours we can ship along the tour route — to your first venue, or split per stop. See our events page for the logistics side.
Breweries, retailers & craft brands
Branded posters for retail display, anniversary editions, label art. Fits well with the craft positioning many independent brewers, restaurants and specialty retailers pursue.
General promotion & memorabilia
Sports clubs (championship posters, year-end editions), education (open days, lecture series), local government (cultural events, city anniversaries), private commissions (weddings, births, personal gifts). Minimum quantity is 25 pieces, so for one-or-two-piece projects we’re not the right choice — digital printing is more practical there.
Sizes and specs
Number of colours
Unlimited colours by arrangement. In practice we often work with 2-6 colours because that balances technically and financially best, but 8, 10 or more colours are possible if the design demands it.
Paper stocks
Our standard options:
Foil stamping & debossing as finishing
Beyond screen printing inks, we offer two finishing techniques: hot foil stamping and debossing. Both are applied on the same machine as a final production step, after the screen printing inks are printed and cured.
Hot foil stamping
A heated metal die with your design is pressed onto the paper, transferring a thin foil layer. The result is a glossy, metallic or holographic effect that you can never achieve with ink alone.
Debossing (recessed relief in paper)
In debossing the paper is pressed down with a die — the design appears recessed into the paper. The result is a subtle, tactile relief you feel when running your hand over the paper. No colour, no foil — just shape.
Combining foil and debossing?
On the same machine, in two separate passes. We don’t combine foil and debossing in a single press pass — that would require a combined die we don’t have. Possible:
Limited edition: signed & numbered
For clients wanting to position their poster as a collectible art object we offer signed & numbered editions.
When does this work?
You’ve engaged an illustrator with their own following · You’re selling at collector prices — €30-€80 per piece instead of €15-€20 · It’s a year-end or release moment you want to permanently capture · You want a poster that resells as a secondary-market item
When NOT
You want large runs for general promotion (waste of the work) · You don’t have an illustrator or artist willing to sign · It’s a fast club-show flyer (regular open edition is much more practical)
Workflow for graphic screen printing
1. Design supply
We prefer vector files (AI or EPS) with colour separations already made. Have raster files? Then the file must be at actual size minimum 300 DPI. For foil elements, supply a separate black-and-white layer indicating exactly where the foil goes.
2. Paper selection
We advise on paper based on the design and intended use. Standard 100# poster board works for most posters; for art prints we often recommend Munken or French stocks. For foil minimum 200 g/m².
3. Proof print
Before production starts we print a proof (1 piece) so you can see the colours in person. Pantone codes on paper can look slightly different from your screen — that’s normal and the proof catches it. For foil applications we often supply a foil test as well.
4. Production
Per colour we run a separate production pass, with drying time between each colour. For a 4-colour poster of 100 pieces count on 1-2 days production after the proof. Foil stamping adds 1-2 working days.
5. Finishing
Optional: – Edition numbering (hand-written or stamped) – Signing by artist — at our place (visiting) or shipped to the signator – Foil stamping as final layer – Packaging in poster tubes, plastic sleeves or flat boxes
6. Delivery
Posters are never shipped folded — always in sturdy tubes or flat boxes to prevent creases. EU delivery 1-3 working days, international by arrangement.
Lead time
Standard count on 10-15 working days from proof approval to delivery. For large runs (500+), many colours (8+) or added foil stamping slightly longer. Rush possible by arrangement.
Storing screens for reorders
For first orders we keep your screens for 6 months by default (and any foil dies). Want to reorder in that window, the setup cost waives and only printing + paper costs apply. Beyond that, you can extend storage by arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
25 pieces. Below that, screen printing isn’t financially viable — for 1-10 pieces we recommend digital printing (not our service).
On decent paper and indoors on a wall: decades. Our inks are UV-stable but not “outdoor lightfast” like street banners. For prolonged direct sunlight (a window), expect limited colour fading over years.
Yes — via CMYK process printing. It looks different from a digital photo print (more halftone character, less fine colour gradients) and often requires a 4-colour design. For photorealistic results digital printing is usually more suitable; for characterful interpretations of photos screen printing works beautifully.
Yes. Metallic (gold, silver, bronze), fluorescent (red, yellow, green, orange, pink) and glow-in-the-dark are all possible. Glow-in-the-dark works most beautifully on dark paper.
Metallic screen printing ink contains pigment particles that shimmer; foil stamping applies an actual metal foil to the paper. Foil produces a much stronger reflective effect — comparable to a mirror — while metallic ink gives a soft glossy finish. Foil costs more (extra die + setup), but for premium applications the difference is clearly visible.
Debossing only — the design appears recessed into the paper. For embossing (where the paper is pressed up) a separate machine with male and female dies is required, which we don’t have. In practice debossing often delivers an equally subtle and high-end result — sometimes even preferred for logos and signatures because it looks slightly more understated.
Yes, on the cover (250-350 g/m² cardstock). Not on inner pages — those are too thin. Many corporate clients have their logo blind-debossed into the cover of a premium notebook for relationship gifts or anniversaries.
Theoretically yes, but practically not recommended for large areas — foil can transfer unevenly across large surfaces. Foil works best on typography, lines, smaller details and accent elements.
For most posters: 100# poster board (250-300 g/m²) white. For art prints with kraft look: Munken Pure or French Speckletone. For foil minimum 200 g/m². When in doubt we’ll advise based on your design.
For limited outdoor use (a few days during an event): yes. For prolonged outdoor (weeks/months in rain, UV exposure): no, other print methods are more suitable.
Depends on size, number of colours, paper, quantity and any foil addition. A 4-colour A2 poster on 100# stock in a run of 100 pieces typically lands between €4-8 per piece; an 8-colour 70×100 cm with gold foil in a run of 50 on premium paper much higher. Request a quote for an exact price.
Yes, by arrangement. We print and organise the finishing — signing can be via your artist (visiting our workshop or we ship blank-edged sheets) or via stamp. Edition numbering by hand or via numbered stamps.
Yes. Many illustrators work with printers like us. Send your portfolio and desired edition size and we’ll quote.
Examples
art prints, exhibition posters, event posters, limited editions with edition numbering, foil stamping examples
Why Visualprint
Honest advice
Advice on materials and techniques or processes — without preference for one specific technique.
Everything in-house
Screen printing, embroidery, DTF, discharge, sublimation and our specialties. From Pantone colours in direct screen printing to up to 15 colours in embroidery.
Our own R&D
We actively develop our own specials and explore new formulations. Got a special wish? Just ask.
45+ years of experience
Family business with short lines and a wealth of in-house knowledge. Since 1980 in Leidschendam-Voorburg.
Other techniques we offer
Screen printing
Robust and colour-precise. From 25 pieces.
Transfers
DTF, plastisol or silicone transfers. From 1 piece.
Embroidery
Premium look, durable.
Sublimation
All-over print on polyester sportswear.
Specialties
Foil, multichrome, glitter, high density, glow in the dark, thermochromic, photochromic.
Ready to print your poster?
Send us your design (or describe it) plus size, number of colours, quantity, paper preference and any foil. We’ll come back with a quote and recommendations.
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or email us directly: verkoop@visualprint.nl.