Add some extra flair to your business cards with our spot UV printing services. Whether you want to add a touch of luxury or make a statement, our team can help you create the perfect design for your needs.
What is UV Varnishing?
UV varnish is applied to printed materials immediately after they have been manufactured. It is often applied as a protective measure to keep ink from rubbing off over time, as well as for aesthetic reasons, bringing attention to specific design elements.
UV varnish comes in a variety of finishes and can be applied in several ways. Glossy, satin, dull, and matt are common offerings, applied either in line as an additional ink when the job is going through the press, or in a second pass through the press.
Varnish can be applied as a flood, covering the entire sheet, or as spot, hitting only a few areas of the design. For increased protection and sheen, there are ultraviolet varnishes—where a plastic coating is applied and then dried using ultraviolet light— as well as film laminates in thicknesses from 0.001 to 0.010″ that allow the end-user to submerge the final product in water without damage.
The Benefits of UV Varnish
There are several benefits to using UV varnish on your printed materials:
Protection
A common use for UV varnish is as a protective measure against water damage. By laminating your print job, you create a thin film barrier between the ink and any moisture that might come into contact with it, ensuring that your design will stay intact even if it gets wet.
Durability
In addition to protecting against water, UV varnish can also add durability to your printed piece. This means that it will be less likely to suffer from wear and tear over time, and will be able to withstand more handling without showing signs of age.
Appearance
One of the most popular reasons to use UV varnish is for its appearance. This finishing touch can add a high-end look to any print job, and can be used to highlight specific design elements that you want to draw attention to.
Feel
In addition to its visual appeal, UV varnish can also add a tactile element to your printed piece. This can be particularly effective on business cards, giving them a luxury feel that will make them stand out from the competition.
Overall VS vs. Spot UV Varnish
As mentioned, varnish can be applied as an overall treatment covering the entire surface of the product; or in a targeted manner as a spot.
The main difference between overall and spot varnish is one of function: overall varnish serves more of a practical purpose, while spot varnish is used to enhance the look of the design. If your business card has a notable element—a company logo perhaps—that you want to really pop, spot UV varnish is the way to go.
The Types of UV Varnishing: Matt, Mirror, and High Gloss UV Coating
Mirror Gloss UV Rollercoat Varnish (High Slip)
Mirror finish UV rollercoat varnish is a high gloss varnish, and so does not lend itself to glueing. Its main uses are for magazine covers, paperback covers, brochures, and greeting cards.
Mirror Gloss UV Rollercoat Varnish (Foil-Blockable)
Mirror Gloss UV Rollercoat Varnish (Foil-Blockable) Varnish is a universal high gloss varnish suitable for most applications that involve further processing—for example, where glueing or foil blocking is required.
Mirror Matt UV Rollercoat Varnish
Mirror Finish Matt Rollercoat UV Varnish is applied all over the printed sheet, giving a high-quality matt finish incorporating print protection and good scuff resistance properties. This can be used to great effect on business cards, magazine covers, brochures, greeting cards etc. The matt surface can be overprinted with UV gloss screen varnish to give excellent contrast between matt and gloss. Matt rollercoat varnishes are not suitable for foil blocking or gluing.
Mirror Gloss UV Spot Varnish
Mirror finish spot varnish is a high gloss UV varnish applied to areas of a printed image to enhance product impact or form part of the graphic design. This is a Silk Screen Process.
Mirror Sparkle UV Varnish contains metallised polyester flakes that adds “sparkle” when applied to selected areas of a printed image and will provide “shelf appeal” to a wide range of printed products.
Mirror Re-Moist Gum
Mirror Finish Re-moist Gum is a speciality coating which can be applied to any printed sheets to enable them to be sealed at a later stage such as reply coupons and envelopes.
Business Card Design Services
If you’re unsure whether spot UV printing is right for you, our design team are on hand to help you create business cards that speak to the unique characteristics and values of your business.
Consultation
The first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced designers. We’ll discuss your business, your brand, and your design goals in order to get a better understanding of what you’re looking for. They can discuss the various lamination options available, and guide you in developing a printed product that you’ll love.
Design Concept
Once we have a good understanding of what you’re looking for, we’ll begin working on the design concept. This will be a rough sketch of the overall design, which we will then refine based on your feedback. This will take into account any current corporate artwork, as well as any raised spot UV elements you’ve decided to include.
Proofing
Once the concept is finalised, we’ll create a digital proof of the design. This proof will be an exact replica of the finished product, so you can see exactly how your business cards will look before they go to print. Our design experts can digitally replicate gloss lamination effects, so you’ll be able to see how the UV light technique will improve the look of your cards.
Printing
Once you’re happy with the digital proof, we’ll send your business card design to print. Our state-of-the-art printers use cutting-edge technology to ensure a high-quality finish on every job. We only ever use premium paper stocks and inks, so you can be confident that the printed piece will look its best.
Delivery
Once your business cards have been printed, we’ll package them up and send them to you via your chosen delivery method. We offer a range of express and standard delivery options, so you can choose the service that best suits your needs.
JMF: Your New Supplier of Block Foil and Spot UV Business Cards
If you’re looking for a provider of high-quality block foil or spot UV business cards, JMF are the perfect choice. We offer a range of design and print services to suit all budgets and requirements, and our team of experienced designers will work with you to create a printed product that perfectly reflects your brand identity. Contact us today to discuss your business card needs, or request a free quote online.
