Want to give your business cards or post cards some added \u201cvisual pop?\u201d Or maybe you simply want to ensure your door hangers or hang tags will hold up under duress? There\u2019s a solution readily available to you: Have a UV coating applied to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
By adding a UV coating, you can enhance not only the look of a printed piece, but also bolster its durability under a variety of conditions. The coating can be applied to just about any paper-based substrate \u2013 from business cards <\/a>and door hangers<\/a> to hang tags<\/a>, post cards,<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, we\u2019ll provide you with some of the basics when it comes to UV coating, including the process and its benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UV coating (the \u201cUV\u201d is short for ultraviolet) is a clear compound that can be applied to plain or printed paper \u2013 or other substrates, including plastic, glass, wood, and even some metals (but we\u2019ll only refer to paper here for simplicity\u2019s sake).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liquid-based, the UV coating is usually composed of calcium carbonate, polyethylene, and kaolinite (a clay mineral). It\u2019s then mixed with a viscosifier, which is the stuff that helps it stick to the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UV coating can be applied to the paper while on the press (aka \u201cinline\u201d) or with a roller or UV coating machine once the paper has left the press (\u201coffline\u201d). We\u2019ll get back to its actual application in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s where UV comes into the picture: Once the coating has been applied, it\u2019s then cured by UV light (in a process called photopolymerization) and the compound hardens to its final finish. It goes without saying that the inks as well as the paper substrate itself must be able to withstand the UV light that\u2019s used to cure the coating \u2013 otherwise, the paper will deteriorate and the coating will end up having nothing to adhere to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n UV coating is often used to add a glossy or \u201cslick\u201d finish to a paper product, and this is likely what most people are familiar with. The use of the gloss finish helps the finished product stand out in a crowd and gives it a very professional look. However, other finishes are available, including matte \u2013 which offers a soft, luxurious tactile look and feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You sometimes also have options when it comes to how the UV coating is applied (I told you we\u2019d get back to this topic). Two options are available: The coating can be added to a full sheet of paper (what\u2019s called \u201cflooding\u201d), or, alternately, you can choose to apply UV coating to just a specific detail (\u201cspot\u201d application). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s first address flooding your marketing piece with UV coating \u2013 giving it the \u201cfull\u201d UV coating treatment, so to speak. Doing so will give the entire piece the finish you select \u2013 if glossy, for instance, then the full piece will be enhanced with a gleaming, lustrous look. On the other hand, flood the piece with a matte UV coating and your piece will, for all intents and purposes, look and feel softer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond the added aesthetic benefits, flooding a piece with UV coating will also boost its durability. UV coating is the most durable coating available, and<\/em> the coating that achieves the highest level of gloss (aqueous coatings and varnish are other options, by the way, which we\u2019ll address in a future post here).<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, let\u2019s say your marketing project includes 1,000 door hangers to champion your county commissioner up for a vote in this fall\u2019s election. By flooding the door hangers with a UV coating, you\u2019ll not only be supplying them with additional dimensional stability but also providing moisture protection from the elements. The bottom line: UV coating will serve to enhance and protect a printed or plain substrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why would you choose to spot coat something? Think about it this way: Perhaps you want one specific element to really stand out or \u201cjump\u201d from the two-dimensional surface \u2013 a spot coat will give that detail some extra pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could, for instance, choose to spot coat your website URL on the front of your business card. Or, spot coat one area of artwork on your card \u2013 some detail you especially want to emphasize. You get the idea: It\u2019s somewhat like using a glossy highlighter. But keep in mind that, just as with a highlighter, you don\u2019t want to over-do it; if you end up \u201chighlighting\u201d too many areas or items, then they could draw attention away<\/em> from each other (instead of to<\/em> each other).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two possible downsides to take into consideration when making the decision on whether or not to add UV coating to a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first is that UV coating doesn\u2019t work well for paper that needs to be written on. So, for instance, if you like to write on your business card, you might want to skip the UV coating (at least on one side). Keep in mind that UV coating repels pen and even permanent marker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second consideration is that although UV coating certainly adds to durability when it comes to abrasion-resistance and general toughness, it might be susceptible to cracking if folded (depending upon the specific finish and application). So if your project is going to played with by a bunch of first-graders, you might want to skip the UV coating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some additional notes about UV coating to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this last bullet point in mind, it\u2019s a good time to let you know that Signs.com will soon be adding additional UV coating technology to our own technology toolbox. We can\u2019t divulge too many of the cool details yet, but we think you\u2019ll be pleasantly surprised at the various coating options we\u2019ll be able to provide \u2013 for small-format marketing pieces as well as larger signage! We\u2019ll provide more details once everything is in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, our team at Signs.com can help you decide if UV coating will work well for your project \u2013 and, if so, how best to utilize it. We’d also be happy to help answer any further questions you have on UV coating \u2013 and if you\u2019re seeking a specific UV coating texture for a product you don\u2019t see on our site, don\u2019t hesitate to ask us! <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is UV Coating?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Flooding vs. Spot<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Best to Utilize UV Coatings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n