Spot UV Coating #
Spot UV is a clear, shiny coating applied to specific areas of your artwork, creating a striking contrast between glossy and matte surfaces. This effect enhances the visual appeal and texture, making it a premium choice for business cards, brochures, and packaging.
Key Benefits:
- Adds a glossy, high-end finish to selected areas.
- Enhances contrast between matte and shiny surfaces.
- Ideal for logos, text, or design elements to stand out.
Design Tip:
Ensure the Spot UV layer is set up correctly in your artwork—usually by using a separate K100 (black) layer to indicate the areas where the effect should be applied.
Step 1: Create 2 artboards
Step 2: Save as PDF ( 1 pdf file for each printing side)
Spot UV Artwork Checklist #
Preparing artwork can be a complex task. To avoid error, extra cost and delays, we have prepared a comprehensive checklist to assist you in preparing your Spot UV artwork successfully. Please ensure every step stated has been duly complied in your artwork.
Images #
- The image to be Spot UV varnished can be a vector graphic, text, shape, solid colour or picture (need to trace out the Spot UV part for picture).
- Vital elements (text, images, logo, etc) must be kept within the Safe Zone. – Fill the area/image to be Spot UV varnished with PROCESS BLACK (K=100).
- No tint or gradient effect allowed.
- Registration of image to be Spot UV varnished must be accurately aligned with the offset printing artwork.
- Spot UV NOT applied to outlines or outlines of a table (Outlines may cause unattractive mis-registration more noticeable).
- Spot UV NOT applied at gluing area.
- Spot UV NOT applied along the edge/trim line, die-cut line and creasing line of artwork.
- Spot UV artwork has a distance of 3mm away from creasing line to avoid Spot UV cracking after being folded.
Text #
- Font size is not less than 5pts (Based on Arial font type size)
- Small logos which contain wording, the font is not less than 4pts (eg: ©).
- Not using a font type with a sharp end edge (eg: Serif font).
Line #
- Line thickness is not less than 0.5pts
Artwork File #
- Artwork is prepared in the correct PRODUCT SIZE TEMPLATES.
- All guidelines and text descriptions in PRODUCT SIZE TEMPLATES are REMOVED.
- Artwork is saved in required file format: Adobe Acrobat Document 5 – version 1.4 (*.pdf) (Jpeg file not accepted).
- Resolution : 300dpi
- Colour mode : CMYK colour mode
- 2 files are prepared :
File 1 – Artwork without image to be Spot UV varnished.
File 2 – Artwork of image to be Spot UV varnished (Save your file with transparent background). - Zip 2 PDF file together or combine and save into 1 PDF file (2 pages).
- Artwork file is arranged according to Printboxer specification and published to PDF file.
- Other than hyphen (-) and underscore (_), your filename doest NOT include any other marks or symbols.
Preparing File for Spot UV Finishing #
Step 1: #
You will have to prepare 2 PDF files to apply Spot UV on your printing material.
File 1: File for the full artwork WITHOUT Spot UV
File 2: File for the image to be Spot UV varnished fill in K100
Note:
- Full bleed Spot UV is NOT ALLOWED. (Except packaging box)
- Spot UV over creasing line is NOT ALLOWED. (Except packaging box)
- Spot UV is NOT ALLOWED in JPEG and must fill in K100 WITHOUT any gradient and shadow
- Spot UV not nice on finish good if the spot UV is JPEG/ TIFF format
Step 2: #
Repeat the same steps if you are preparing for Both Sides Spot UV Varnish.
Step 3: #
Upload your artwork to place order.
Spot UV Finishing Artwork Alert #
1. Please follow Spot UV artwork specification in ‘Spot UV Artwork Checklist’. Members shall alert artwork prepared is follow guidelines.
Tolerance #
- Registration accuracy of spot UV is ± 0.25 mm
- Member may not reject order if Spot UV defects affect only 2% or below of the printed quantity per order.
- Spot UV may cause the card thickness to become uneven and packed cards may become slightly curved (i.e. not flat when placed on table, in wallet, card holder, etc).
*Expressprint shall not accept any rejects claims for curved Business Cards due to these factors.
Possible Problems #
- Below are some examples of possible Artwork setting problems. Spot UV elements are outlined in YELLOW.
Printing Artwork #
Spot UV Artwork #
Important Notes: #
- Spot UV can be applied to the edges, but this is not recommended as it may peel over time.
- The Spot UV layer must be a separate design layer and filled with PROCESS BLACK (K=100).
What You Can Apply Spot UV To:
- Vector graphics, text, shapes, solid colors, or images (must trace out Spot UV areas for images).
- Logos, key design elements, or specific areas for a luxury effect.
What to Avoid:
- No tints or gradients—only solid K100 areas are allowed.
- No outlines or table borders—this may cause visible misalignment.
- No Spot UV on gluing areas to prevent adhesion issues.
- Avoid fonts with sharp edges (e.g., Serif fonts), as they may not print cleanly.
Minimum Requirements for Text & Lines:
- Font size: At least 4pt (Arial or similar).
- For small logos with text: Font size must be 4pt or larger (e.g., copyright symbols).
- Line thickness: At least 0.5pt to ensure clarity.
Pro Tip:
Double-check your Spot UV registration to ensure perfect alignment with your offset printing artwork!