Coatings protect and enhance printed documents. They provide a variety of finishes, shield paper from fingerprints, moisture, and scratches, and emphasize certain words or designs. This convenient guide will help you determine what type of coating works best for the project before you schedule printing services.

What Type of Coating Does My Printing Project Need?

Varnish

Varnish coatings come in gloss, matte, strike-through matte, satin, and opaque options. The clear ink is applied with a printing press; however, you can have it tinted. Varnish properties vary; for example, gloss varnishes increase color saturation but can create glare. They can also get scuffed, so place blank paper in between documents with gloss varnishes to protect them. Matte coatings improve readability, while satin options offer scuff-resistance and medium shine.

UV

UV coatings cure in response to ultraviolet light to create a high-gloss result. Matte, pearlescent, and textured finishes are available. A graphic designer may apply these thick coatings to document sections or the entire printed page. UV-coated papers can crack when they are folded due to their thickness, and some feature strong odors.

Aqueous

These water-based coatings are among the most popular in the printing service industry due to their eco-friendliness. Aqueous coatings dry quickly to provide a glossy, satin, or matte result that protects against finger oils, scratches, and environmental contaminants while covering up surface flaws. They are usually applied to the entire document. Aqueous coatings also come in Soft Touch® form to provide soft, velvety textures associated with luxury and elegance.

Additional Tips

Printer coatings improve the look of many documents, including brochures, business cards, catalogs, and bookmarks. Because they cannot be written over without serious effort, you shouldn’t use coatings for greeting cards, postcards, and anything else you will take a pen to.
 

Jones Printing Co has provided Lee County, NC, with exceptional printing services since 1885. Whether you need brochures, resumes, business cards, booklets, banners, or any other printed materials, you can count on this staff to provide beautiful results on any scale. Call (919) 774-9442 to place an order. Visit the business online for more printing service information.