Last Updated on September 2, 2024 by Steve Harsh
Are you into printing and know about Spot UV? Well, it is worth a try! So, when will it work best for your printing, and what types does it have? You do not have to reinvent the wheel to make things look good with Spot UV. That is why it is an easy process that you can use for a host of printing and packaging types. So, what are the types of UV you can use except spot UV?
This blog contains all that, its types, how we do it, and its benefits! So, let’s dive right into it!
Spot UV is a type of printing and finishing technique that can be used on printing materials. The most common products for which this method can be used are business cards, show material brochures and packaging. This feature improves the catchiness of printing material by adding glossiness.
For instance, you can add it to text and images. At the same time, you add texture and depth, which helps protect certain areas.
Now, there is a sea of options when it comes to add-ons for custom packaging, so which ones are worth it? Well, spot UV is one of them. Some top types you need to try out are:
So, these are some add-ons we will compare.
One type of UV Spot printing is blind spot UV. So, here are some benefits you get with blind spot UV:
Then, you can also try it to make your printing look amazing:
So, these two types come up most commonly when it comes to what is spot UV printing.
If you want things to look even more unique, you can try raised varnish with it. You can try it to add texture to the text of your product, and it would work for anything you want. So, it can be for a retail box or even an eCommerce packaging box. So, here is how you can compare it with spot UV printing.
When your printing has a raised feeling, you can ensure it works perfectly for the touchy feel. At the same time, you capture your audience’s visual sense. Also, you can add patterns that make your printing even more special.
Matte UV would look amazing with its sobber feel, while spot UV offers a glossy feel to your boxes. You can combine the two to ensure a glossy and sobber feeling. In addition, it gives your boxes a great elegant feel without gloss.
So, matt lamination offers unique features that work for your boxes. You can get a tremendously soft look with it with less contrast. On the other hand, it may not provide the same protective layer type as other laminations.
Spot UV provides more protection and a different feel and look for your boxes.
This add-on can improve your color quality and offer a cost-effective solution for your boxes. It is similar to Spot UV in providing better vividness for your boxes.
Although you do not want to use this technique with the ones that may not complement or even worsen the looks of it, there are some combinations you can have with them:
We will also discuss some challenges you must face when incorporating these together.
We have a list of products for which you can use Spot UV, and they can get a lot of benefits from this technique when we use it for these:
Once you know what makes Spot Varnish special, you can read about using this add-on in your printing.
Several tools can be used to add UV printing to your design. One of these is Photoshop, which can help you get an excellent feel for your printing.
So, the better you use the design, the more impressive your UV spot coating and other add-ons will look.
The look of your spot UV can greatly impact your boxes and help you sell more. For instance:
Customization is a trait that is always required by customers these days, which is why using it can make things look great. At the same time, you need to make sure you provide every visual or other type of element that your customers would be looking to have. Here are some benefits of using them:
UV Spot allows you to get a better shelf life. At the same time, it provides better moisture resistance and protection against water damage to your boxes or other print products. Its use also protects your prints by avoiding discoloration and fading.
The use of Spot UV allows your brand to be remembered better. The shine gives your brand an inviting feeling, improving the sophistication of your products and brand.
Spot UV’s uniqueness can make a real difference in your boxes. At the same time, you get a wide range of versatility that can change the entire look of your boxes. You also get benefits like the customization that UV Spot coating can offer.
Another great thing about Spot UV is that you get multiple benefits with it, like the following:
You get impressive results regarding the sustainability factor regarding spot UV. For instance:
When we compare the quick drying of UV with varnishes, you do not have to worry about the turnaround time. Compared with other types of varnishes, you get better turnaround times. You must do air or heat processes in such varnishes to find solutions. This benefit offers you faster delivery, which saves you money as well.
At the same time, you may not have to face errors that can occur during traditional coatings.
The precision of Spot UV allows you to get better results with better application than other such issues. At the same time, it is a printing technique that will enable you to achieve better consistency after printing. In comparison, you may have to face inconsistencies in lamination. At the same time, you may have similar issues with foil stamping.
Also, you face such issues when you are doing embossing and debossing.
The boldness of Spot UV stands out when compared with other techniques. For instance:
When we compare this technique with others, we can find many advantages and some limitations of this one. For instance:
Spot UV offers a thin, clear varnish coating that protects your fingers and ink. The glossy finish of your boxes with Spot UV also ensures you get rid of smudges that can occur. On the other hand, lamination may offer a more visually interesting look.
Also, the common types of varnishes may not provide the same level of protection for your boxes. Remember that untreated printing is the least smudge-resistant option.
Now, before you can use this amazing effect on your boxes, you also need to know when the best option to use Spot UV will be.
You cannot deny the importance of being sure about what you want to get from a certain technique you are using on your boxes. You also need to know whether you want to add a glossy feel to your printed products. You can use it for logos, text, and other points where you want your products to look special.
You can also use it to add a good amount of depth and dimension in the form of 3D effects. You can utilize it for a great velvety feel alongside a high-gloss and metallic feel. This effect also works to create a better contrast for your boxes.
Knowing your budget can completely change whether you should or should not use Spot UV. The main question we must answer here is if you want a better impact or to save costs. At the same time, you can find alternatives that offer the impact you want compared to Spot UV.
Other options:
Design complexity can be a game-maker or breaker; you must always consider it. Here is why:
There is a long list of the best choices you can make when using Spot UV. Here are some packaging materials that we can use to use this technique in our printing:
Apart from the scenarios in which you should use Spot UV, there are some when you should avoid using this technique.
Here are some reasons why you should avoid using this technique for small, intricate details on your packaging:
Using this technique in larger areas can be expensive; however, its alternatives may offer better coverage. For instance, you can use varnishing, which comes in multiple types, like high gloss, matte, and finishes. Also, foil stamping can be beneficial because it has a striking look and consistency.
Sometimes, the use of Spot UV can create a great glossy finish that, on the other hand, can cause readability issues. So, if you are working with smaller fonts, seek to learn about the feasibility of making your text more legible. When you use it for larger areas, uneven surfaces may not make the print look crisp and impressive.
In such cases, your ink may look uneven, which can be a problem for your boxes.
There are certain functionalities that packaging products need to offer when it comes to different techniques applied to them. Here are some points to keep in mind:
You should avoid this technique if you want to keep your lines and fonts on your packaging. With such thickness, you need to have a minimum thickness that you can not achieve when you use it on fine lines and fonts. In such instances, you can have bleeding, incompleteness, and lack of definition.
To ensure the images and artwork on your boxes stand out, you must avoid using Spot UV. With Spot UV, you may be unable to make your photographs and artwork stand out, as it can create a raised effect that makes these elements less attention-grabbing. At the same time, your spot UV will blur the delicate details, which can break the complete vibe you can have.
When you use this technique on barcodes or QR codes, these features can not be scanned, making them useless. At the same time, using this technique can make changes that can be inaccurate for your requirements. So, it can be a big issue if you cannot ensure you are getting to scan these elements right.
Multiple coats can make things uneven in texture, which can make it difficult to get the most out of your raised and glossy layers. In such scenarios, the design would be complex, which can easily lead to problems with your printing process and appearance. The additional layers added to such a design would make heavier thickness instead of a textural difference, which you would be looking for.
When you use Spot UV on uncoated paper, it can lead to multiple issues for your printing, like:
Using it with other techniques can lead to conflict in the dimensions, which can further cause visual clutter. This way, you may not be able to make things look great with the visual hierarchy you want. At the same time, using this technique alongside embossing and debossing may not work. In such a condition, you may have issues like unevenness in the finish you get.
You may also have damage due to the brittleness of the sharp folds you can have with these.
You can use them when you want a striking contrast and a glossy feel. The matte background can create a pop feel with a touch of sophistication. They can be great for logo design and text.
This technique helps you design the right labels for yourself. With it, you can make a certain area look great while adding a tactile element to your packages. You can use it for various applications, such as product packaging, marketing materials, and premium product labels.
A spot UV layer can be applied to your printing and packaging products, allowing you to achieve high gloss and raised texture on certain parts of your products. There is no difference between the Spot UV layer and Spot UV. It offers better visual appeal, tactile experience, and enhanced durability.
This technique is used when you need unique visual and tactile effects. With this effect, you get a raised surface with texture around a matte finish. This effect would offer great visual appeal to logos, graphics, and text.
You should consider some drawbacks when using Spot UV, like the cost you have to spend on the process. Also, you have to face limitations with them, such as they won’t work for intricate details, and there are packaging issues that do not allow proper functionality when writing on a surface or folding something.
The answer to this question depends on factors like the total area you cover, the complexity of your design, and the type of Spot UV you want. Also, the product’s printing process and the material used determine the costs you will have to spend. You can hire Packaging Hub to ensure you only pay reasonable prices for the solutions you get.
Spot UV is a great way to make your printing look impressive without breaking the bank. Packaging Hub can help you get satisfying results for your printing. You can rely on our services to ensure your printing looks super impressive with all the add-ons you need. Your packaging will get Spot varnish packaging with perfection.
