You’ve probably heard of “spot UV” by now as it has become increasingly popular and more accessible. But what is it, how does it work, and when should it be used?
Spot UV is a printing technique that applies a high-gloss coating to certain areas of a printed sheet using a polymer resin that is hardened and cured with an ultraviolet light. Originally, UV coatings were applied to the entire sheet to give it a finished look — which is still an option today with flood UV coaters — but today’s digital technologies allow for a very precise application to make certain design elements stand out without the use of dies or screens.
Spot UV can be applied to a printed piece directly over the inks or it can be applied directly to a substrate to create a raised, glossy effect that resembles embossing. It’s an excellent way to raise the value and generate more engagement.
The uses for spot UV are endless as they can be applied over logos on business cards, titles on a book cover, and graphics that you would want to highlight on product packaging, invitations, and more. It does better on heavier paper, such as card stock, and it offers the best contrast when used with darker colors and laminated stock. When it comes to design, less is more.
Duplo offers an off-line, compact solution that digital print providers should consider if they are looking to create high-margin jobs in-house and on demand. Combining the DDC-810 Pro Raised Spot UV Coater with the output from your digital presses, allows you to drive profit through short-run applications with a rapid return on investment. Its digital technology makes it possible to create spot, texturized, and tactile effects that customers can touch and feel.
To apply spot UV to your print project with a device like the DDC-810 Pro, a grayscale spot layer file – or the mask – is needed in PDF, which is uploaded to the equipment’s software. The layer defines exactly where the coating will be applied and if there are any gradients with multiple depths. Registration marks applied to both the CMYK and spot layer files ensure a tight registration.
It’s the increased use of embellishments that is driving the growth in direct mail, greeting cards, and packaging. Investing in a spot UV solution is one way for print providers to be part of that growth and gain new customers.
