Once your print project
comes off the press, it may not be finished—not yet. It might need that extra
finishing touch. Let’s look at three reasons you might want to add a coating
before your project goes “live” into the hands of your target audience.
1. Protection. Sometimes a project needs that extra level of
protection to keep it looking its best. Coatings
can protect projects such as direct mail, marketing collateral, packaging, and
catalogs from a wide variety of harsh environmental conditions, including:
- Mailing equipment
- Moisture
- Dirt
- Retail storage and display
- Handling (including
fingerprints)
If you need full waterproof properties, you may want
to consider a laminate.
2. Gloss. Shine adds sparkle and
impact. It instantly conveys the impression of value and quality. When you print
or mail a piece with a high-gloss coating, you are telling recipients, “You
matter!” UV coating offers the hardest coated surface and the highest level of
brilliance and sheen. However, these coatings may crack if folded or scored and
require printing with UV inks underneath for compatibility.
3. Special effects. The number of options for
specialty coatings is exploding. Spot
varnish, for example, highlights specific areas of the printed piece for
visual interest and impact. (Think lips popping out on a lipstick ad.) Soft touch creates a printed piece with
a velvety finish. It produces a wonderful tactile feel and adds fingerprint
resistance. Some specialty varnishes can
be enhanced with effects such as glitter, tint, and scents. If you want to use
a laminate, you can even get holographic
effects.
Different finishes have different benefits
and drawbacks. They also have different ranges of cost. Varnish is inexpensive
and flexible, but tends to yellow over time. This can be problematic if your
product has a long shelf life and large areas of white. Aqueous coating dries
quickly and offers a high level of protection, but it has a higher cost.
Specialty coatings offer a wide array of effects and visual and tactile appeal,
but they may also carry a premium.
Different coatings
“shine” for different types of projects and under different conditions. Talk to
us about your coating options before finalizing your next printing
project.Please give us a call at 440-946-0606
Or visit our website here for more information.
