What is Spot UV?
Spot UV coatings are high-gloss ones applied to products using ultraviolet (UV) light to cure the varnish. This spot UV printing method adds a protective layer to the printed product, giving the targeted "spots" a shiny, vibrant appearance.
In print finishing, spot UV and spot gloss involve applying a high-gloss UV coating to a specific area of the printed product.
Spot UV can make your printed material's CMYK or PMS colors appear more vibrant, attracting more attention to that area.
A spot UV finish will give the company logo on your custom boxes or other packaging a nice, glossy sheen. A unique packaging design with an eye-catching appeal helps your brand stand out.
UV light is used to help "cure" the coating used to protect packaging (gloss or varnish). This seals in the color and adds another layer of protection to the finished product. There are a variety of UV coatings, ranging from glossy to highly reflective. With spot UV coatings, this protective coating is only applied to specific areas.
Once exposed to UV light, the coating dries instantly, allowing designers to be creative (and precise) with the covered area. Spot UV is a great way to add a protective touch to the most important parts of your packaging.
How does Blind Spot UV work?
Darker-colored packaging often uses blind spot UV, but the spot UV process is similar to spot UV finish. Although the printing technique is the same, the design steps are slightly different, creating a different creative effect.
Blind Spot UV and Spot UV: Differences and Similarities
Blind spot UV differs from Spot UV because it has a different design style. High-gloss UV coatings are applied similarly to specific areas of prints.
A "mask" file indicates where the UV coating should be applied in the design. This mask usually Matches the logo's size and style or the area you want to emphasize perfectly.
Because the spot UV gloss is clear, it can be applied to more than just logos. It is possible to use spot UV finish to the entire packaging, even if it has lettering, without affecting readability. On a darker background, blind spot UV results are easier to see.
When spot UV coating is used on matte-finished or uncoated packaging, the color under it will appear more vivid than it is. Colors similar to black will appear darker.
This coating technique will work for white or brightly colored packaging - but the effect is different. UV spot printing produces a more subdued gloss effect than contrasted darkness and light.
Packaging benefits of spot UV printing
For several reasons, add a touch of spot UV to your custom-printed Packaging. The following are some of the greatest benefits of spot UV:
- Shine: Spot UV finish offers the eye-catching and attractive appeal of a lustrous shine under direct or subdued lighting. It adds a touch of sophistication to any package and is aesthetically pleasing.
- Spot UV printing adds a glossy look to your retail Packaging, but each word is still clearly legible and easy to read. This method gives you the best of both worlds: a unique design that gets noticed and easy legibility at a distance.
- Packaging is frequently handled, so it needs to be protected against smudges. In addition, sometimes your design can be marred by smudges and fingerprints, which is not your fault. By providing a protective layer between the Packaging and constant handling, spot UV can help prevent this.
- Due to the precise placement of spot UV coating, the coating does not escape into the air, making it a great option for environmentally friendly Packaging.
Can Spot UV Printing Be Used In Certain Areas?
Printing and packaging materials for various applications can be printed with spot UV printing.
It's not recommended for very thin Packaging, which is the only exception. Spot UV finish is virtually unrestricted aside from this.
Spot UV Printing on Matte Surfaces
Packaging with a matte finish is a great option for a spot UV finish.
In addition to a more subdued matte background, the spot UV coating's high gloss shine provides excellent adhesion.
In the same way, spot UV coating can also create a more refined look for your Packaging. With this beautiful, elegant look, consider spot UV coating if you want your Packaging to look premium without paying a premium for high-gloss printing.
Spot UV Printing on Matte Lamination
When treated with spot UV and matte lamination, the printed material is soft and shiny. Adding spot UV printing to dark colors makes them appear darker, which makes your logo stand out and get noticed.
When determining whether to use spot UV, consider matte or gloss lamination, the type of aqueous coating you'd like to use, and whether embossing or debossing is appropriate for your printing project.
How Does Raised Spot UV Printing Work?
UV spot printing with raised spots is frequently requested, but it can be difficult to understand because this term doesn't exist in the printing world. What's usually meant is printing with raised ink.
In raised ink printing, a transparent coating is applied to certain text, logos, or other areas of your design. Touching the Packaging adds texture and style.
Powder is added to certain areas of a package design to give it the appearance of raised ink. A chemical reaction transforms the ink. It is then hardened into a gel that gives it depth and contour, making it appear "raised."
Do You Have Any Questions For Me?
You may have questions about how to print spot UV on your Packaging. You want your Packaging to look professional and beautiful. Printing techniques such as blind spot UV, spot UV, and raised ink require technical expertise.
Luxury Custom Boxes understands that every customer has unique specifications and ideas. Contact us contact. We want to learn more about spot UV coatings and other techniques that can help create the perfect look for you.
Whatever you want to sell, Luxury Custom Boxes can make it happen. To best reflect your brand, we have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to develop creative ideas and Packaging that set your product apart.
