Spot UV on flat pieces
Spot UV is a cured gloss varnish on selected areas — it needs a coated sheet, so it is the one finish in this category cotton cannot take.
The effect is contrast: a matte or soft-touch field with a wet-looking gloss shape sitting on it, visible only when the light moves. On a large flat piece that is a strong device, because there is room for the gloss to be a real shape rather than a detail.
Raised spot UV builds the varnish up so it has height as well as shine. Flat spot UV stays level with the sheet.
It must sit on a coated or laminated surface. On uncoated cotton the varnish soaks in and never cures to a gloss.
Cotton and uncoated stocks will not cure a gloss varnish. If the piece has to be uncoated, use foil or an impression instead.
Looking for cards rather than flat pieces? Spot UV business cards.
Spot UV — questions we get
- Why can't spot UV go on uncoated paper?
- The varnish needs a sealed surface to cure against. On an uncoated or cotton sheet it soaks into the fibre and dries dull, so the contrast that makes the finish work never appears.
- Flat or raised spot UV?
- Flat reads as a change in sheen; raised reads as a change in surface you can feel. Raised suits a logo or a single shape, flat suits a pattern across the sheet.
Pieces that take spot uv
- PostcardsFlat, two-sided, mailed at postcard rate up to 6×4¼. Letterpress or offset.
- FlyersThe piece someone takes from a counter. 8.5×11 and 5.5×8.5, flat or folded.
- Rack cardsTall and narrow, built to stand in a holder. 16pt and up so it doesn't slump.
- Folded mailersBi-fold and tri-fold, scored on press. Self-mailer sizes that pass USPS.
- Small postersUp to 12×18 on cover weight. Letterpress runs at this size; foil does with a big die.