More Possibilities. Smarter Print. Bigger Impact., a new blog post from Davis Direct

At Davis Direct, new technology is never about the machine itself — it’s about what it makes possible for our customers. Introducing the HP Indigo printer.  

Our latest digital press investment expands what print can do, helping brands solve challenges, stand out visually, and create more engaging, secure, and memorable print pieces. From adding discreet security features that help prevent duplication or misuse, to creating interactive print that educates and engages, this new capability allows print to do more than communicate — it helps protect, inform, and differentiate your brand. 

Whether your goal is to safeguard sensitive materials like tickets, credentials, or regulated documents, visually elevate your marketing, or create print that truly stands apart, this new technology opens the door to solutions that weren’t available before. 

Here’s how it can work for you. 

Print That Stands Out — Even on Dark or Clear Materials 

Designing on dark, colored, or transparent materials used to come with limitations. With premium white ink printing, those limitations disappear. 

We can now produce clean, vibrant designs on: 

Clear substrates

Materials that are fully transparent, where white ink is used as a base layer to make colors readable and vivid. Examples include clear vinyl, acrylic-based materials, and clear synthetic stocks commonly used for decals, window graphics, and overlays. 

Dark paper stocks

Deep-colored or black stocks where white ink allows artwork, text, and color elements to stand out with sharp contrast. 

Translucent materials

Materials that allow light to pass through but are not fully transparent, such as frosted films or specialty vellum-like synthetics. These differ from clear substrates by creating a softer, diffused look—ideal for layered designs, backlit applications, or pieces where subtlety and depth matter more than full transparency. 

This opens the door to high-impact applications such as: 

  • Window clings and decals 
  • Specialty invitations and announcements, including layered designs, white ink accents, and premium visual effects that elevate the piece beyond standard print (embellishments like embossing or specialty finishing can be incorporated separately as part of the overall production) 
  • Layered marketing pieces with depth and contrast 
  • Signage that demands attention 

White ink ensures colors appear brighter and more accurate, helping your design perform exactly as intended — no matter the background. 

Thicker Print Pieces That Feel Premium 

Sometimes, quality isn’t just seen — it’s felt. 

Our new press allows us to print on materials up to 22pt thick — comparable to premium cover stock or the thickness of a high-end business card or postcard, and nearly 25% thicker than what was previously possible on our digital presses. This means: 

  • A more substantial, premium feel 
  • Improved durability 
  • Stronger first impressions 

Perfect for: 

  • Business cards and covers 
  • Tags and packaging elements 
  • High-end marketing collateral 

When your print piece needs to communicate quality before a single word is read, thickness makes the difference. 

Reliable Printing on Tough, Non-Traditional Materials 

Certain materials — like vinyl and synthetic substrates — can be challenging to print using traditional methods. Heat distortion, registration issues, and color inconsistency are common problems. 

With advanced one-shot printing technology, full-color images are transferred in a single pass, resulting in: 

  • Sharper image quality 
  • More accurate color registration 
  • Reduced material stress 

This is ideal for: 

  • Labels and decals 
  • Durable promotional materials 
  • Outdoor or high-use print applications 

You get consistent, professional results on materials designed to work as hard as your brand does. 

Specialty Inks That Do More Than Look Good 

Our new press includes an additional color station that unlocks specialty inks designed for security, creativity, and brand consistency. 

Available specialty inks include: 

  • Pantone or custom brand colors 
  • Fluorescent pink for high-visibility designs 
  • Silver ink for metallic effects 
  • Clear ink for texture and subtle highlights 
  • Invisible ink visible only under blacklight 

These inks allow print to move beyond decoration and into strategic problem-solving. 

Industry-Specific Solutions: Where Print Becomes a Tool 

Security, Authentication & Anti-Counterfeit Applications 

For industries where accuracy and trust matter, invisible ink adds a discreet layer of protection. 

Ideal for:

  • Event ticketing 
  • Membership programs 
  • Healthcare and pharmaceutical materials 
  • Financial or compliance-driven documents 

Invisible elements can be used to verify authenticity without disrupting the design, helping prevent duplication or misuse while maintaining a clean, professional appearance. 

Education & Demonstration-Based Marketing 

Invisible ink is especially powerful when the goal is to show what can’t normally be seen. 

Exterminator / Pest Control Example:

Imagine a brochure that shows a clean, damage-free home. At first glance, nothing looks wrong. But when exposed to a blacklight, hidden termites suddenly appear, visually demonstrating how infestations often exist long before homeowners notice damage. 

This transforms a simple print piece into: 

  • A hands-on educational tool 
  • A compelling sales aid 
  • A memorable way to communicate urgency 

The message becomes instantly clear: just because you can’t see the problem doesn’t mean it isn’t there. 

Similar applications work well for: 

  • Environmental services 
  • Safety training programs 
  • Healthcare education materials 

Creative Marketing & Experiential Print 

Specialty and invisible inks also unlock interactive marketing experiences that surprise and engage audiences. 

Perfect for: 

  • Agencies and creative brands 
  • Product launches 
  • Trade shows and live events 

Creative possibilities include: 

  • Hidden messages revealed under blacklight 
  • Interactive direct mail campaigns 
  • Before-and-after storytelling within a single print piece 

These experiences invite participation, making your message more memorable and shareable. 

Retail, Promotions & Brand Engagement 

Retail brands can use specialty inks to add excitement without overwhelming the design. 

Examples include: 

  • Hidden promotions revealed under blacklight 
  • Secret discount codes or loyalty rewards 
  • Limited-time offers that feel exclusive 

This approach encourages interaction and creates a sense of discovery that keeps customers engaged. 

Nonprofits, Museums & Awareness Campaigns 

Invisible ink can be especially impactful for storytelling and awareness. 

Use cases include: 

  • Environmental campaigns revealing hidden damage 
  • Museum pieces with interactive educational layers 
  • Nonprofits highlighting unseen social issues 

By contrasting what’s visible with what’s hidden, print becomes a powerful emotional and educational tool. 

Print That Solves Problems, Not Just Prints Pages 

These new capabilities aren’t about flashy effects — they’re about giving our customers more ways to communicate, protect, educate, and engage. 

If you have a project that: 

  • Needs to stand out 
  • Requires added security 
  • Educates through experience 
  • Pushes beyond traditional print 

Davis Direct is ready to help you turn that challenge into a smart, effective solution.