Published Article

Specialty UV Coating Techniques Add More than Visual Appeal

By: Fred Daubert, Vice President, The Riverside Group
Published in: Printing News

The term “post press technology” may sound like an oxymoron, and to a certain extent that’s true. For example, the mechanics for creating an adhesive-bound book have stayed the same for decades (even though breakthroughs have occurred with the adhesives themselves, such as the introduction of PUR). One finishing technique that has been greatly improved is UV coating. While flood UV coating performed inline on press has become the rage, many finishers offer specialty UV coating capabilities that offer far greater versatility and visual appeal.

UV Coating Basics
Like other coating varieties, such as aqueous, varnish and film laminate, UV coating serves two purposes. First, it offers protection against scuffing and marking, either in transit or in the hands of end users. Second, UV coating provides visual appeal by making colors pop and drawing attention to certain areas of a piece. No other coating style offers a better combination of protection and visual contrast than UV.

Another advantage of UV coating is its relatively quick production cycle. Once the UV-reactive coating is applied to the sheet, it is instantly cured as it passes underneath ultraviolet lamps. Basic UV coating styles produce a matte or gloss finish, the latter of which is popular for the sheen it brings to printed colors.

The versatility of the UV coating process and material itself lends itself to a host of distinctive variations. Here are a few UV coating styles that really make printed pieces stand out from the crowd:

Textured UV Coatings – Additional ingredients can be mixed into the UV coating to alter the surface of the coated piece. Glitter, sand and other particle materials can enhance the visual appeal of the coating by adding a tactile sensation. The possibilities are many, so check with your finisher to see what creative textures can be applied to your application.

Dimensional UV Coatings – This technique gives sheets the appearance of embossing by creating a UV coated area that “rises” above the substrate, but does not distort the opposite side of the sheet. This makes dimensional UV coating an attractive alternative for two-sided pieces, or those where embossing die impressions are unwanted.

Matte vs. Gloss – The combination of matte and gloss UV coatings creates a striking visual contrast. Many designers have learned that this technique can create a distinctive look by itself, without the use of color or images.

Scratch-Off – Scratch-off and scratch-and-sniff UV coatings are increasingly used for more than lottery tickets and children’s books. Many direct mail pieces include scratch-off UV to generate interest and boost response rates, and its durability and relatively economical production won’t blow budgets or result in a tattered mailer in the hands of the end user.

UV Coating Tips
Materials Tip: The chemistry of UV coatings can prevent it from bonding properly with certain inks. For that reason, use only wax- and silicone-free inks on projects destined for UV coating.

Production tip: UV-coated products must be handled carefully before and after the coating process in order for the finished product to look its best. Sheets must be completely dry prior to UV coating, so be sure to give your printed sheets ample drying time - especially those with heavy ink coverage. Since the curing process tends to dry the stock, sheets may need to be scored if folding will be performed over coated areas.

UV coating is gaining popularity for its versatility, durability and visual appeal. Printers and their finishing partners would be wise to educate designers on how to take advantage of specialty UV coating techniques to create more unique and attractive products. Who says “post press” and “technology” must be mutually exclusive?

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Fred Daubert is President and Peter Pape is CEO of the Riverside Group, an “under-one-roof” bookbinding and finishing company located in Rochester, N.Y. They specialize in both soft and hard cover binding production, including perfect binding; PUR binding; notch binding; Smyth sewing; cased-in mechanical and perfect binding; and more. Additional capabilities include mechanical binding; laminating and UV coating; folding; gluing; tabbing; die cutting; foil stamping; embossing and more. For more information, contact Fred Daubert at (800)777-2463, or book@riversidegroup.com.