By adding a UV coating, you can enhance not only the look of a printed piece, but also bolster its durability under a variety of conditions. The coating can be applied to just about any paper-based substrate – from business cards and door hangers to hang tags, post cards, and more.

Here, we’ll provide you with some of the basics when it comes to UV coating, including the process and its benefits.

What is UV Coating?

UV coating (the “UV” is short for ultraviolet) is a clear compound that can be applied to plain or printed paper – or other substrates, including plastic, glass, wood, and even some metals (but we’ll only refer to paper here for simplicity’s sake).

Liquid-based, the UV coating is usually composed of calcium carbonate, polyethylene, and kaolinite (a clay mineral). It’s then mixed with a viscosifier, which is the stuff that helps it stick to the paper.

The UV coating can be applied to the paper while on the press (aka “inline”) or with a roller or UV coating machine once the paper has left the press (“offline”). We’ll get back to its actual application in a bit.

Here’s where UV comes into the picture: Once the coating has been applied, it’s then cured by UV light (in a process called photopolymerization) and the compound hardens to its final finish. It goes without saying that the inks as well as the paper substrate itself must be able to withstand the UV light that’s used to cure the coating – otherwise, the paper will deteriorate and the coating will end up having nothing to adhere to.  

UV coating is often used to add a glossy or “slick” finish to a paper product, and this is likely what most people are familiar with. The use of the gloss finish helps the finished product stand out in a crowd and gives it a very professional look. However, other finishes are available, including matte – which offers a soft, luxurious tactile look and feel.

Flooding vs. Spot

You sometimes also have options when it comes to how the UV coating is applied (I told you we’d get back to this topic). Two options are available: The coating can be added to a full sheet of paper (what’s called “flooding”), or, alternately, you can choose to apply UV coating to just a specific detail (“spot” application). 

Let’s first address flooding your marketing piece with UV coating – giving it the “full” UV coating treatment, so to speak. Doing so will give the entire piece the finish you select – if glossy, for instance, then the full piece will be enhanced with a gleaming, lustrous look. On the other hand, flood the piece with a matte UV coating and your piece will, for all intents and purposes, look and feel softer.

Beyond the added aesthetic benefits, flooding a piece with UV coating will also boost its durability. UV coating is the most durable coating available, and the coating that achieves the highest level of gloss (aqueous coatings and varnish are other options, by the way, which we’ll address in a future post here).

So, let’s say your marketing project includes 1,000 door hangers to champion your county commissioner up for a vote in this fall’s election. By flooding the door hangers with a UV coating, you’ll not only be supplying them with additional dimensional stability but also providing moisture protection from the elements. The bottom line: UV coating will serve to enhance and protect a printed or plain substrate.

Why would you choose to spot coat something? Think about it this way: Perhaps you want one specific element to really stand out or “jump” from the two-dimensional surface – a spot coat will give that detail some extra pop.

You could, for instance, choose to spot coat your website URL on the front of your business card. Or, spot coat one area of artwork on your card – some detail you especially want to emphasize. You get the idea: It’s somewhat like using a glossy highlighter. But keep in mind that, just as with a highlighter, you don’t want to over-do it; if you end up “highlighting” too many areas or items, then they could draw attention away from each other (instead of to each other).

How Best to Utilize UV Coatings

There are two possible downsides to take into consideration when making the decision on whether or not to add UV coating to a project.

The first is that UV coating doesn’t work well for paper that needs to be written on. So, for instance, if you like to write on your business card, you might want to skip the UV coating (at least on one side). Keep in mind that UV coating repels pen and even permanent marker.

The second consideration is that although UV coating certainly adds to durability when it comes to abrasion-resistance and general toughness, it might be susceptible to cracking if folded (depending upon the specific finish and application). So if your project is going to played with by a bunch of first-graders, you might want to skip the UV coating.

Here are some additional notes about UV coating to keep in mind:

• The texture of a business card (or other product) can be the result of a UV coating; but it also might simply be due to the texture of the paper itself. For instance, here at Signs.com, we offer business cards with UV coating (glossy or matte), but textures such as linen, silk, and pearl are the result of the business card’s paper stock having that finish.
• Beyond UV coatings, textures are also sometimes added by utilizing aqueous (water-based) coatings, varnishes, and laminates (which can be liquid or sheet-based). Our business cards with suede finish, for example, are the result of a laminate. Our brochures, meanwhile, achieve their glossy or matte finish due to an aqueous coating.
• Adding a UV coating (whether flood or spot), offering various coating textures, and which specific products offer the coating can be dependent upon the printer’s machinery as well as the demand for a certain coating or product.

With this last bullet point in mind, it’s a good time to let you know that Signs.com will soon be adding additional UV coating technology to our own technology toolbox. We can’t divulge too many of the cool details yet, but we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the various coating options we’ll be able to provide – for small-format marketing pieces as well as larger signage! We’ll provide more details once everything is in place.

Meanwhile, our team at Signs.com can help you decide if UV coating will work well for your project – and, if so, how best to utilize it. We’d also be happy to help answer any further questions you have on UV coating – and if you’re seeking a specific UV coating texture for a product you don’t see on our site, don’t hesitate to ask us!

And, don’t forget: You can work one-on-one with a Signs.com designer free of charge via our free design services page.

UV Coating: Signage 101

What is Spot UV?

Spot UV is an ultraviolet coating applied to a specific area of a printed material as opposed to the whole thing. Sometimes called spot varnish or spot gloss, it is a simple process that applies a thin layer of varnish to a printed or blank substrate, then passes under a UV curing light to harden and dry. This is different than a complete coating, where the entire surface of your graphic is shiny or glossy. Spot UV is placed in specific areas to create contrast and draw attention to particular aspects of a printed sign or material. 

How Does Spot UV Work?

The UV coating, or varnish, is loaded into a clean ink fountain on an offset printing press, the varnish is then precisely laid, and finally the entire sheet is moved directly under a high intensity ultraviolet light for instant drying. 

What is Blind Spot UV?

Blind Spot UV refers to the application of UV coating in an area that does not align with any other element of artwork. This means whether it’s across the entirety of a printed page or on a blank, matte surface with no printing, the UV pattern shows through when the high gloss varnish reflects light. 

Since the varnish is clear, using a blind spot UV application doesn’t affect readability, but offers another way to show off your logo or design. 

Benefits

Now that you’ve got a good handle on what it is, let’s get into why Spot UV is a smart element to add to your design…

Increase Contrast – Make your graphics pop

When laid over a printed image, the glossy varnish enhances the color of your graphic. This results in greater contrast, which draws more attention to your print. It’s a great way to make your business cards, or other products, stand out. 

The varnished look is great on white, but it really stands out on colored paper or cardstock – particularly dark, rich colors. It’s most commonly used for business cards, pamphlets, folders, and posters, lending to a luxurious, more high-end look. 

Environmentally Friendly

Because spot UV is cured with a UV light, it gives off no harsh chemical gas when cured, making it a great earth-friendly choice. UV curing involves no solvents, uses less energy, and does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) that can be harmful to the environment.

Time Efficient – Detail and precision in a hurry

One of the major benefits is the ability to get incredibly fine details, laying down varnish with precision and then curing for an immediately dry result. UV curing is quick, so there’s no down time like with some other methods. Your graphic is ready for the next step without waiting. This makes the turnaround faster, which means you get your order faster.

Added Protection and Durability

Spot UV protects your material from scratching and other types of damage. Although not meant to cover the whole area, the varnish keeps color in and the elements out. Adding it to a business card, for example, makes the card more durable and scratch resistant. 

Drawbacks

Although Spot UV is great for most things, it isn’t perfect for everything. Here are a few instances where you might want to avoid it:

Over metallic ink or foil stamping – Because metallic ink and foil stamping are already somewhat shiny elements, extra shine from UV doesn’t really do much to highlight your design. 

Something that needs to be written on – Because of the lacquer, writing on top of any UV coating doesn’t work out well. Consider your design. If you often write info on your business card, you’ll want to leave space that doesn’t have any UV coating.

Additional Cost – Any additional treatment for your printed material will take the cost up. Make sure the outcome is worth the investment for you. 

File Prep

Preparing your file for Spot UV printing is a little different that your typical printing file. In your preferred design software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, simply make a copy of your design file. Once you’ve got a copy, remove anything from the image that you do not want UV printed. Change the remaining images or text to true black, and this becomes your mask file to go along with your print file.

1. Make a copy of your design file

1. Change the remaining elements to true black (C:0%, M:0%, Y:0%, K:100%)

1. Your file should look something like this:

1. Save as PDF

Depending on your print company, you can use a file you’ve already had designed, or use the company’s design services. Most printers have you submit both your main design and your mask as separate files during the initial ordering process. 

Spot UV vs. Raised Spot UV

While both Spot UV and Raised Spot UV use the same method, raised UV gives you more texture and depth. It uses a thicker varnish during application, resulting in a thicker texture.

Think about using raised spot UV for something like a business card for your painting company, with paint dripping from the top, or for a somewhat simple logo you want to make a big impact. This more tactile feel is another way to kick your graphics up a notch. 

Best Materials

UV coating is best suited for paper and cardstocks. Using a matte color color shows the glossy varnish more. Typically it is applied to thick cardstocks such as 34pt. It can be installed on thinner materials such as 100lb gloss book paper. The most common materials for spot uv are 14pt and 16pt cardstock (the two most common materials for business cards). Theoretically, spot UV can be used on nearly any large format signage, but because it’s most attractive up close, it is rarely used on large format signage.

Additional Tips

Spot UV is a great addition to your project, but be sure that you don’t overdo it. A boldly placed spot UV can be more impactful than an entire business card covered in it. This is not to say there isn’t a time and place for that. However, be sure and consider where it will have the most impact. Sometimes, using too much lessens the effect. Remember that while spot UV is visible, you’ll want to make sure you don’t rely on it entirely. For more important information, such as your name, phone number, or email address use regular ink. We recommend using a contrasting ink for these elements.

We hope that by reading this, you’ll feel a little more informed and ready to start on your next project. Did you know we have Free Design Services at Signs.com? For more info, fill out this ticket or call us at 888-222-4929. 

Spot UV: Raised vs Blind

A business card tells someone who you are, what you’re about, shows your logo or motto, and gives information about how to contact you. A well-done custom business card presents your business and yourself in a positive and professional way, unlike many other things can. There are countless ways to design and lay out your business card, but one crucial element for any card is the size.

What is the Standard Business Card Size?

The standard business card size is 3.5” x 2” (3.5 inches wide by 2 inches tall). The most common measurement is done in inches, but 3.5 x 2 inches can also be translated into 8.89 cm x 5.08 cm, 88.9 mm x 50.8 mm, or 336 pixels x 192 pixels.

European vs US Standard Business Card Sizing

Although there is a standard size in the US, standard business card sizes vary by region. In the UK and Western European areas, business cards are a bit more square at 3.346” x 2.165” (85 mm x 55 mm). In Australia, a standard business card is 3.543” x 2.165” (90 mm x 55 mm).

Layout for Business Cards

With the standard size of 3.5” x 2” in mind, there are three areas of the business card to consider; the design area, the margin area, and the bleed area. The design area is where you’ll have your text, photos, and other design elements. The margin area, sometimes called the safe or inner margin area, is where main design elements should end, and the bleed area (the point outside of the actual business card that allows colors near the edge to bleed over, providing full color along the edges of the card) is what will be cut off when your card is finished. The standard file size for a business card with bleed area is 3.75” x 2.25” (0.25” larger in width and height than the finished business card), so you’ll want to set your design to that size to begin with.

Think about your design elements and how you’d like them to appear. If you want your design to go to the very edge of the card, it can extend into the bleed area, but keep in mind that anything within the bleed area (which is beyond the trim line) will be cut off. To be safe, we recommend keeping all pertinent information within the design area. One thing to note is that the design tool found on our Signs.com website does not show the bleed area by default. To see the bleed area, go to the “Advanced Tools” section in the design tool and click on “show bleed area”. 

Another thing to note when setting up your business card is the font size you should use. Choose a font that is unique but still easy to read. Usually, 7 to 11 point fonts (.09 to .15 inches tall, respectively) work the best for readability. Be sure you choose a font that is easy to read in a small size, and don’t overdo it with graphics and words. Sometimes less is more.

Horizontal or Vertical? Which Orientation Is Best for Your Business Card

Horizontal orientation refers to your card reading wider than it is tall, sometimes referred to as landscape orientation. The benefit of using a horizontal layout is that this is a standard layout, so it’s easy to read and recognize quickly. However, one thing to note is that it doesn’t particularly stand out. Vertical orientation is when your card reads taller than wider, known more commonly as portrait layout. The advantage of this layout is that it’s a bit different than the norm and can make your business card stand out in a world full of business cards.

Additional Shapes and Sizes

The standard 3.5” x 2” rectangular business card is not your only option when it comes to shape and size. You can get a custom cut shape, also called die cut, while still staying within the standard size. You can also round the corners of your card or play with other shapes such as circles (frequently sized at 3” x 3”) or squares (frequently sized at 2” x 2”). Keep in mind that with any sort of shape customization, you’ll most likely see a price jump. Just like using different orientations, using an uncommon shape or size has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that the shape is unique and eye catching, and you can cater to your business logo or product. The disadvantage is that a unique shape might not get recognized as a business card and could be easily discarded or overlooked. For example, a square or circle business card could be mistaken for a tag or label and tossed out. These types of cards also might not fit in business card binders, clips, or other card carrying cases.

Common Materials and Thicknesses for Business Cards

Business cards are a chance for you to be creative. The most common type of paper used to create business cards is 16pt cardstock, with 14pt and 32pt being used frequently as well. There are even more types of paper used to create business cards, and here is a list of the most common types of business cards with their corresponding thicknesses:

• 100lb Cover – 0.35mm thick (.014 inches)
• 14pt – 0.39mm thick (.012 inches)
• 16pt – 0.41mm thick (.016 inches)
• 18pt – 0.46mm thick (.018 inches)
• 32pt – 0.81mm thick (.032 inches)

Although these are the most commonly used types of paper, cards can go even thicker (up to 48pt, which is nearly the thickness of a penny). Most people stick with 16pt stock, as it is a sturdy option at a great price point. If you want something even more outside the box, you could look into business cards made from wood, plastic, cork, metal, or other similar materials. These options are definitely sure to stand out, but you’ll want to make sure the price point is worth it. 

Business Card Finishes

Another thing to note when considering the thickness of your business cards is whether they are using any special finishes or coatings, as it will be sure to add to the thickness of the card. There are many options for finishes and coatings, but the most common are gloss, matte, spot UV, embossed, and foiling. More specialized finishes include pearl, luster, silk, suede and velvet. Make sure that your finish works well with the design and wording on your card. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to add superfine spot UV to a 100lb linen paper type because of conflicting texture issues. There are also other finishing options for the physical aspect, like die cut, folded, and double-sided cards. Even in our digital age, business cards are useful and relevant. You can say a lot about yourself or your business with a small paper card, so be creative and come up with something extraordinary. Brainstorm ideas that will set your business apart from the rest of the crowd. Signs.com offers many options for custom, innovative business cards. Click here to get started on your own custom business card.

Standard Business Card Sizes – Signage 101

14pt Cardstock

First, let’s look at 14pt cardstock. 14pt cardstock is the more common option due to the fact that it is cheaper than 16pt cardstock. Although it is not as stiff as 16pt, it still has a rigid feel to it and will not flop/bend on its own. 14pt also has the same printing quality as 16pt. Because it is more cost-effective, 14pt is a great option if you are looking to do large quantities. 

Products that use 14pt Cardstock

• Business Cards
• Table Tents

16pt Cardstock

The second option is 16pt cardstock. 16pt cardstock is thicker than 14pt, and as a result, has a higher quality feel. The added thickness also makes it more durable and longer lasting than 14pt. This is a better option for business cards if you are going to carry them with you in your wallet or purse, as they are less likely to bend, crease or get damaged corners.

Products that use 16pt Cardstock

• Rack Cards
• Hang Tags

100lb Glossbook

The third and final option is 100lb gloss book paper (sometimes written as 100# paper). 100lb paper is more commonly used for things like brochures and flyers–things that will be handed out in large quantities. It is both thinner and cheaper than 14pt and 16pt cardstock. 100lb glossbook paper has a similar feel to regular printing paper, but is slightly thicker. It is very flexible. It can be bent and folded, making it a great option for folded brochures like bifolds, trifolds, and z-folds. 

Products that use 100lb Glossbook

• Door Hangers
• Brochures
• Business Flyers

14pt Vs 16pt 

14pt and 16pt are the most common thicknesses for business cards. Visually, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. 14pt cardstock and 16pt cardstock look very similar side-by-side, but when multiple are stacked together, the difference becomes more apparent:

Although they may look similar, the real difference is in the feel: 16pt cardstock is noticeably stiffer than 14pt cardstock.

Best Thickness for Business Cards

The best thickness for your business cards largely depends on their intended use. If you’re going to be handing a lot of business cards out, for example, leaving a bunch in a restaurant or handing them out at a booth at a trade show, you probably want to choose 14pt. They are cheaper and still maintain a high quality look and feel. If you are planning on carrying a few with you at a time and handing them out to people you meet, you probably want to choose 16pt. Overall, we recommend 16pt cardstock. It feels nicer and is more durable than 14pt. The cost difference is minimal for the added benefit. 

If you really want a high quality and impressive business card, check out our 32pt business cards–double the thickness of 16pt!

GSM

In reference to paper, GSM stands for grams per square meter. GSM is a common measurement used to better understand the quality of paper: the higher the GSM, the heavier the paper. See the table below for a GSM comparison:

Thickness

14pt cardstock and 16pt cardstock both get their names from their thickness. Each ‘point’ is equal to .001 of an inch. For example, a 10pt cardstock would be .01 inches thick. 14pt cardstock is .014 inches thick, 16pt cardstock is .016 inches thick, and so on.

Still have questions? Feel free to contact our customer service team by calling 888-222-4929.

14pt vs 16pt