UV Coating, or Ultra Violet Coating, can be added to virtually any printed product to give it extra protection. That coating makes colors more vibrant and pops off the page, making water, dirt and other substances slide off your printed material without leaving any marks.
This unique protective finish is applied to the surface of paper, cardboard or plastic that blocks the absorption of UV light. It helps in keeping colors vibrant and opaque. It also plays a role in protecting them from fading in natural or artificial sunlight.
UV coating is most commonly used in the printing industry to produce high-quality, long-lasting images and text with vibrant colors on business cards, brochures, and other marketing materials.
Here’s everything you need to know about UV coating and how to use it in your next printing project!
Basic Information about UV Coat in Packaging
UV coating (also known as UV varnish) is the finishing touch that makes everything pop! As mentioned above, it is mainly used in the packaging industry. This durable clear coat helps protect logos and branding information against smudges, fingerprints, and moisture damage. That makes it an excellent choice for eCommerce Packaging.
It also helps colors pop, so your imprint looks bold, and your message can’t be missed. We want to ensure you get the most from UV coating, so in this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about UV coating, including what it is, what benefits it provides, how to use UV coating to boost brand recognition, and more!
- How does it work?
The UV Coat reflects light more than the original media, allowing for more excellent color contrast because there’s more difference between the brightness of the original press with a UV Coat than without.
- What Does It Do?
UV Coat or printing, also known as ultraviolet varnish, is a clear protective finish for printed objects. It can be applied as a final coat over ink printed on paper or vinyl banners. It protects the print by blocking out the natural sunlight that causes fading over time while also making colors pop! But why does this happen?
- Impact of UV Coating and Varnish
For example, if your sign has white text with black shadows, you would see white text against a black background without any UV coating. But when you add UV-coating to your character (even though it may look dark when first coated), you will see dark gray text against a very light gray background – resulting in more excellent contrast and making your words easier to read at a distance because they’re darker than they were before they were coated.
- Why should you use UV Coat?
There are several ways you can make your colors pop when it comes to printing. One way is no other than UV coating for prominent printing. It’s also one time where the printing will stay for a long. In this case, the more coats you apply, the colors will look better.
There are many reasons for using UV coating for printing; here are just some of them:
- It protects against color fading caused by sunlight exposure
- UV can give a high gloss finish
- It strengthens the color intensity
- Makes colors brighter
- Adds a protection layer that absorbs ultraviolet light from the sun
- It also filters out harmful ultraviolet rays
- When to Get UV Coatings?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of UV coating, let’s cover a few basic questions you may have about the process. First, does your product need any preparation before coating? The answer to that question depends on what your product is. For example, if you’re printing onto a t-shirt with colors, you should wash and dry the shirt before applying UV coating. However, no prep work is necessary if you’re printing onto a mug or something with one color (like a pen).
Types of UV Coating in the Packaging Industry
The most common types of UV coating that are popular in the printing and packaging industry are as follows:
- Clear
- Black
- White
- Gold
- Silver
Clear UV coatings can be used on any color inks or toners. You can also apply that type of coated layer with the help of a UV spray. The spray technique makes it more convenient and easy to use.
Black UV coatings can be used on black ink only. White UV coatings are best for printing off-white or light colors like yellow, blue or pink. Gold UV coatings are a high gloss finish that will make your business cards stand out. Silver UV coatings work well for printing dark colors like navy blue or purple because they provide a more matte finish than gold.
It offers a protective layer for your prints, making them more durable. But not all products are ready for coating. If you’re wondering if your product needs any preparation before coating, the answer is yes! Here’s what you need to know about UV coating prep work. First off, make sure your items are clean and dry. Apply sealant or protector spray as required – this will help protect the ink from water damage and increase durability.
The UV Coating Process
UV coating is a clear gloss applied over printed graphics to protect them from environmental wear and tear. This process doesn’t add any color or change the original design. It does, however, make colors pop more than they would otherwise.
To put it plainly, UV coating makes everything look better. For this reason, many graphic designers will use it for projects that involve printing on black shirts. If you’re printing on dark shirts, we recommend using light-colored ink, so you don’t cover up your beautiful work with ink blotches on your clothing!
What is Spot UV?
Spot UV coating or spot lamination is a printing technique that creates an intense, vibrant look. It is somewhat different from the complete coating or varnish. It’s great for creating high-quality logos and graphics that pop off the page.
It is best applicable to custom boxes with logos. When printed with black ink, the material absorbs UV light, so the design will shine brilliantly when you hold the finished product in front of a UV light.
In short, spot UV coating is a special varnish applied in a pattern on a print product like business cards or brochures.
Common Uses of UV Coating
UV coating can be used on various substrates, including paper, plastic, glass and fabrics. It is usually applied as the final process in creating printed items. It will give your prints a glossy finish, making the colors pop! If you’re using a printer, it might be worth investing in one with an automatic UV lamp.
For example, printing an image or logo onto t-shirts or other apparel where the surface will come into contact with skin often looks best when treated with UV coating because it provides protection against color fading and cracking due to friction or exposure to chemicals.
