The coatings and films That printers can apply to your paper

A primary reason to coat printing is that uncoated dried inks show fingerprints and scuffing, especially in dark solid areas.

All printers can apply varnish, but not all printers can apply laminates, UV coating, or aqueous coating. Sometimes those services are provided by a specialist.

You cannot print (ink-jet or by hand), glue, or foil stamp over UV or laminate coatings. Leave uncoated windows in those areas.

varnish

Ink coating. It is an artistic effect that offers no protection. Varnish comes in gloss, dull, and satin (in-between dull and gloss), and can be tinted by adding pigment.

From an artistic standpoint, you can play a dull-varnished portion of the sheet against a portion without varnish or with a gloss varnish. This contrast can give emphasis to certain areas and/or give the impression of depth.

You should varnish coated stock only.

Aqueous

Aqueous is a thin coat applied to prevent ink scratches when papers slide over each other during bindery or delivery. Even though it is a coating, you can write on it with a ballpoint pen.

Since it is applied by a coating tower at the delivery end of the press, you must lay down a full-page coat, not individual spots on a page. Aqueous comes in gloss, dull, and satin.

Aqueous coating is more environmentally friendly than UV coating because it is water based.

UV Coat

UV Coating is a clear liquid spread over the paper like ink and then cured instantly with ultraviolet light.

It can be a gloss or dull coating.

It can be used as a spot covering to accent a particular image on the sheet or as an overall (flood) coating.

UV coating gives more protection and sheen than either varnish or aqueous coating. Since it is cured with light and not heat, no solvents enter the atmosphere. However, it is more difficult to recycle than the other coatings.

Keep in mind that it is a thick coating that may occasionally crack when scored or folded.

Laminate coat

A plastic, waterproof coating. Slow to apply, usually cured with low heat rather than light, therefore most expensive, but offers the most protection. Often used for menu covers.

Shine

Matte: Coated paper characterized by a non-glossy, glare-free background. This has a much richer feel than an uncoated paper. Sometimes available as Super Matte.

Dull: A coated finish that is between glossy and matte with little or no gloss; it has a sheen rather than a shine.

Satin: a coating that is good for legibility. It's bright enough to make the colors pop, but does not have the glare that can make it hard to read.

Gloss: A shiny surface with a high degree of light reflectance. Best for showing off photography and illustrations.

 

Specialty coatings and films

• Scratch-offs
• Glow in the dark
• Glitter
• Scratch and sniff
• Raised textures
• Color tints
• Write on-wipe off
• Remoist glue
• Metallized
• Flattener to resist curling