What is Spot UV Coating?
As the name suggests, a Spot UV coating or "varnish" is applied to chosen spots (areas), of a printed piece. This has the affect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design, but it also provides the additional visual stimulus of having varied textures on a single printed surface. This adds a lot of interest, and can identify the printing as a premium piece in the perception of the reader.
We apply a Spot UV gloss varnish on top of matte finish printing. This achieves maximum contrast between the highly reflective shiny UV coating and the light-absorbing matt laminate, and can, for instance, create a striking first impression on business cards, postcards and club flyers.
Silk lamination printing is a unique way to portray your business. It displays class, sophistication and style. The printed piece is laminated on both sides with a special laminate that gives a silky feel. They have a unique feel and texture that is unlike other paper printed material. Silk lamination is extremely durable making your printed material tear and water resistant. The silk texture is a laminate, not a coating and therefore can effect the color of your finished product. In general, the silk lamination will darken your printed material apx 5 to 10 percent.
What are your file specifications?
For the best results, we recommend PDFs but we can accept JPEG, EPS, AI, PSD or TIFF files as well.
Please create all files with a 1/16" bleed (0.0625" on all sides) As an example, a 3.5" x 2" business card file should be submitted at 3.625" x 2.125".
Please keep all safe text at least 1/8" from the trim line.
Files must be CMYK, not RGB.
PDFs, EPS and AI files: Please convert all fonts and text to outlines and flatten all transparencies.
JPEG, PSD, TIFF: Please flatten all files. You may save your files at 400 DPI (300 DPI is the minimum).
We accept PDF, EPS, AI, JPEG, TIFF, and PSD files.
How do I upload a file?
Due to the complexity of the various products available at UV Cards it is necessary to upload your files AFTER you complete your order. Simply add the items that you wish to order to your cart, complete the checkout process at which time you will be directed to an upload page.
If we request that you upload revised files, please log in to your account and view your order in the order history. You will be given the ability to upload revised files for your order.
What is Spot UV?
As the name suggests, a Spot UV coating or "varnish" is applied to chosen spots (areas), of a printed piece. This has the affect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design, but it also provides the additional visual stimulus of having varied textures on a single printed surface. This adds a lot of interest, and can identify the printing as a premium piece in the perception of the reader.
We apply a Spot UV gloss varnish on top of matt laminated printing. This achieves maximum contrast between the highly reflective shiny UV coating and the light-absorbing matt laminate, and can, for instance, create a striking first impression on business cards, postcards and club flyers.
How do I set up my file?
When creating a Spot UV job, You must include a Spot UV template file along with the regular full color file. The Spot UV template file is used to show where the UV will be placed. Use only black (set us as C=0, M=0, Y=0, K=100) to indicate where you would like to have the UV. White will indicate NO UV.
So for each file that contains your artwork, you would create a corresponding file that contains ONLY black and white to display where you want the spot UV coating to be.
Remember, "If it's white, you can write"
Foil stamping is currently available on a limited number of standard products as well as special order items. Foil stamping is available in any one of the following colors: Silver, Gold, Red, Blue, Teal, Copper, Green, Prism, Purple, Pink and Black (you may use multiple foils and apply them on both sides of the card).
In addition to your file for print, you will need to provide a foil mask file. The mask file, similar to a spot uv mask file, should be black and white only. The black area will represent where you want the foil stamping to be placed. Please make sure that your black is C=0. M=0. Y=0. K=100.
You may have spot uv and foil on the same side and they may intersect.
Be advised that there may be up to a 1/16" variance on the placement of the foil as the cards are stamped after printing and cutting. Be aware of this if attempting to align foil with other printed artwork on the card.
Foil may "bleed" off the edge of the card.
