Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter Toppan Printing; head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shingo Kaneko) has developed a surface processing technology called "Emboss Look 3D" that makes a 3D design possible by giving a sense of depth to a paper carton (paper container). Full-scale sales will be launched from early September 2010.

With Emboss Look 3D it is possible to produce visual effects such as a sense of depth during the printing process. This is done by using UV varnish to form a microlens on top of fine dot pattern printing and optimizing the alignment of the lens. Compared with the traditional method of applying lens-shaped film, a significant reduction in cost can be achieved.

Toppan Printing will market Emboss Look 3D for cosmetics products that require decorative features and items such as toiletries and pharmaceutical goods for which an effective eye-catching design is sought for display in stores.

(Left) Samples of Emboss Look 3D (Right) Diagram of the forming of the microlens using UV varnish Copyright 2010 TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.

Background
With the release of 3D films and sales of 3D televisions, 3D is receiving attention throughout the world and 2010 has been termed the "start of 3D".
Recently, in the packaging industry there has been demand for various forms of surface decoration for paper cartons used as product packaging in order to enhance the desire of consumers to make purchases. In particular, demands are increasing for surface decoration that enhances decorative features and eye-catching effects.
To produce a 3D effect with special surface processing it has previously been necessary to apply a special lens-shaped film on top of the printed design and costs tended to be high.


Features
With the newly developed Emboss Look 3D technology, it is possible to produce a design with a sense of depth without using a special lens-shaped film. This is done by applying a special surface processing technology using UV varnish on top of the printed design. This means that a separate process is not necessary and 3D designs can be achieved with the regular printing process.

* Surface processing technology that produces a sense of depth
Previously it was difficult to apply varnish uniformly with special surface processing using UV varnish. However, by combining manufacturing technology and special UV varnish, a technology has been established for forming a uniform microlens on top of fine dot pattern printing. The result of this is that it is now possible to produce 3D designs such as those with a sense of depth.

* Significant cost reduction
Traditionally, to produce a 3D design it was necessary to use a separate process from the printing of the design in order to apply a special lens-shaped film. With Emboss Look 3D, it is possible to form the microlens using special UV varnish during the regular printing process. This means that it will be possible to reduce costs significantly compared with processing where a special lens-shaped film is applied.


Future developments
Toppan Printing will market Emboss Look 3D for paper cartons for products such as cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceutical goods, and is anticipating sales of around 300 million yen in fiscal 2011. Toppan Printing will also aim for expansion of business to fields outside of product packaging including the printing of publications such as books and commercial printing such as in-store sales promotion tools.

* "Emboss Look" is a registered trademark of Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.