Fox Group Blog Which UV Coating Should I Use?

Ultra Violet Coating, commonly known as UV Coating, is a liquid coating applied to a printed sheet to provide a gloss finish and protect the print. This solution is the perfect choice when you want both a luster and protection. There are different types of UV coatings, which can be applied in one of two ways:Flood coatingThe coating is applied to the entire surface of the substrate. This is used when you want a shine on the entirety of your design. Press sheets must have ½" margins on all four sides due to gripper and side guide requirements.Spot coatingRegisters the coating to a specific area of the substrate. Can be used for simple shapes and special graphics. This coating is typically used in applications such as knockouts for gluing or windows for imprinting/ad-dressing (i.e. pocket folders, folding cartons, direct mail, etc.).(Note that for both applications of UV coating methods, there is a minimum sheet size of 15"x22" and a maximum sheet size of 28"x40")UV coatings come in a variety of finishes, each offering a unique style for your design:GlossA high-gloss finish that gives a brilliant luster to your image and/or textSatinA semi-gloss finish that is subtler that the regular Gloss finishMatteA dull finish that stands out, without too much reflectionHammertoneA gloss finish that also has texture similar to an orange peelRaised GlossA high-build gloss finish applied through heavy mesh with heavy emulation to make the gloss stand out more than the regular finishImportant Information Regarding InksFor any piece that is to receive a UV coating, there are certain guidelines that must be followed. Otherwise the coating is prone to flaking or scratching off.Inks should be free of wax, silicone, Teflon, and other additives to assure proper adhesion of films and coatings. They also need to have a low VOC (Volatile Organic Content) formulation. Low VOC inks (also called High Solid inks) have VOCs below 10%. For prints using fountain solutions, make sure to use an alcohol substitute that does not contain glycol, a compound that interferes with bonding of the UV coating to the substrate. Or replace the alcohol substitute with alcohol.Some PMS colors react to the chemistry used in the UV coating process. Reflex blue, Rhodamine red, and some purples have a tendency to fade after UV coating, so special care should be taken when preparing the project for post press UV coating.(Please note that many PMS colors contain Reflex blue - your ink supplier may be able to offer an alternative mixing ink for this application)