UV Printing is the application of UV Coating to a specific area (or areas) of your printed products rather than coating the entire surface.
If you want to make your print stand out or add extra protection to your printing and graphic design, the Spot UV printing technique might be right for you.
What is Spot UV printing?
It refers to a specific type of printing technique in which you draw your image onto a printed piece using UV ink. This can be applied using various methods, but most commonly via raised spot UV printing or matte lamination (laser engraving). Spot UV is used for everything from relatively simple designs, such as logos, to complex geometric shapes and illustrations.
What is Spot UV lamination?
It is a process used in commercial printing that adheres a layer of gloss or matte finish over printed pieces. UV coating is durable and scratch-resistant, yet it’s highly transparent.
This makes it ideal for spot UV, where only certain portions of a print are coated, often logos or other important elements of a piece.
What is Spot UV Business Cards?
They are printed using a process that applies a very thin coat of varnish over certain areas, which is then exposed to UV light. This process creates an image with a unique three-dimensional quality and can only be done on specific cardstock.
The entire surface of your business card won’t be coated in UV varnish, but one or more sections will instead be spot gloss, and soft touch with special adhesive-backed paper.
What does it mean to have Spot UV coating on your business cards?
There are a lot of benefits to getting your business cards printed with a spot UV coating. This process offers added durability, a high-gloss finish, and an upscale look that will help you stand out from your competition.
In addition, this type of printing on business cards can be customized in a variety of ways so that you can include any logo or image you’d like, for example, Raised Spot UV.
Check out this amazing finish on a business card: Suede with Raised Spot UV Business Cards
Check out this article about how adding textures to your business cards can make such a positive, impactful difference.
How to print Spot UV?
Printing can be a lot of fun if you take the time to understand how it works. To print this type of coating on your products or printed material, you will need a special printer called inline spot-UV system. The process is relatively straightforward, but there are some things that should be considered before starting.
This video will help explain what you need in order to do this specific printing with mask files and show where it is best used for high-clarity finishing. If you’re familiar with spot UV business cards, then you’re familiar with spot UV printing as well because they both involve using rollers to apply a coating in selective areas.
How to add this coating to your design?
Spot UV is a print finishing technique that protects printed products by adding a scratch-resistant coating and glare reduction. Spot UV finishes can be used on virtually any printed material, from books to brochures, posters, postcards, and even T-shirts. The process of spot UV printing is similar to other types of coatings but with an added step that involves drying time for better adhesion and visibility after printing.
What are the benefits of having a Spot UV job done?
This coating is a great way to make your print piece (hang tags, table tents, or postcards) stand out from competitors without having to pay for an entirely coated piece.
It can add a touch of shine and dimensionality that will catch the eyes and create a wonderful visual effect. If you want your printed products, like a book cover or box, to look both professional and eye-catching in a short amount of time and at an affordable price, that is the best option for you.
Adding it to printed pieces is a process of spraying fine dots or lines of high-quality lacquer over portions of an image. The result is smooth, glossy, and shinier than the traditional coating. Can be used to accentuate an area or be applied in small concentrated areas throughout a piece for highlighting various parts of an image.
This process adds beauty, elegance, and an extra touch of sophistication to printed pieces when done correctly and with artistic intent.
How much will it cost?
This printing technique is a more expensive process than traditional methods because it requires extra equipment, expertise, and time. The amount you’ll pay depends on where you live, how many items you’re printing, and whether you’re using full-color or spot color.
Luckily, 215 Prints can ship your printing materials to any destination within the US at an affordable cost. Use our calculator to get an estimate for your next business card project.
How to create the best-looking business cards?
There are many ways that business cards can be eye-catching, adding prestige and appeal to your print project. If you would like more information, please give us a call here at 215 Prints and we would be glad to help!
