Marketing budgets continue to shrink as companies "right-size" their operations. As a result, every production detail of every print campaign must deliver value for its investment.
From a return-on-investment standpoint, few finishing techniques can top spot UV coating. By applying satin or high-gloss UV coating in registration with logos, headlines or titles, your pieces will instantly grab and hold the attention of the viewer. Point-of-purchase displays, book covers, direct mail pieces and product packaging are just a few applications that benefit the most from spot UV coating.
The UV coating process is constantly evolving, so be sure to involve Apex Die as early as possible in the project planning process. Here are some additional design and production tips to keep in mind:
- Stock selection is essential to a successful UV coating application. Stocks with a smooth surface work best, so avoid uncoated and cast-coated stocks. Lightweight stocks tend to curl and crack; we recommend stocks of at least .0045" thickness and up.
- A popular spot UV coating technique is to apply a gloss UV coating over or adjacent to a satin UV-coated area. The contrast between flat and high-gloss areas can add a great deal of texture, depth and interest to a piece. This can also be an effective compromise where the design calls for an uncoated stock.
- The high-gloss finish of UV coatings tends to show fingerprints quite easily. If end users will handle your pieces frequently, you may wish to avoid dark colors, which can magnify fingerprints even more.
- Seeing is usually believing when it comes to making the right spot UV coating decisions. Apex Die would be happy to provide samples produced on your selected stock to help you determine the best areas to highlight, the right UV formulas and stocks and other details.
The Apex Die Advantage
Apex Die is your headquarters for cost-efficient UV coating. Our multiple UV coating presses ensure fast turnarounds on high-volume, time-sensitive jobs. And with a full range of complementary services such high-speed folding/gluing, die cutting, foil stamping, embossing and more, we can help you save even more time and money by consolidating all finishing work.