• Back to the Artwork Support Guides

Dazzle Your Designs: Exploring Spot UV and Its Magical Effects

Spot UV, while not technically a printing process, takes your printed materials to the next level by adding a touch of luxury and dimension. Imagine a clear, glossy coating applied to specific areas of your design, creating a stunning contrast and inviting texture. This technique is perfect for highlighting key elements like logos, text, and images, making them pop and grab attention.

How it Works

• A thin layer of clear polymer is applied to selected areas of your design.
• This coating is then cured under ultraviolet (UV) light, instantly hardening and creating a glossy finish.
• The result? Eye-catching shine, raised texture, and an irresistible urge to run your fingers across it!

Highlighting Power

• Logos: Elevate your brand identity with a glossy logo that stands out from the rest. It adds a touch of professionalism and makes your logo shine (literally!).
• Text: Create impactful headlines or call-to-actions by applying spot UV to specific words or phrases. This draws attention and reinforces your message.
• Images: Make key visuals pop by highlighting specific elements or sections with a glossy finish. Imagine a product photo where the logo or a unique detail glistens under the light.

Beyond the Ordinary: Blind Spot UV

Blind spot UV takes this technique a step further. Instead of highlighting printed elements, it creates glossy patterns or shapes on an unprinted background. This adds a subtle yet sophisticated touch and plays with light and shadow. Imagine a minimalist business card with a blind spot UV logo, creating a sophisticated, understated elegance.

Two Golden Rules for Stunning Foil Prints

Foiling your artwork adds a touch of elegance and luxury, but preparing it requires a few key differences rispetto standard printing. Follow these two golden rules to ensure we can create a beautiful and durable product that matches your vision:

1. Layer Up Your Art:

• For single-sided Spot UV, provide two separate pages:
  • Page 1: Your complete CMYK artwork (minus the foiled areas). Remember, CMYK delivers better results than RGB (check our Colour Guide for details). Don't use another colour to mark the foil area here, as it might show through.
  • Page 2: Your dedicated Spot UV artwork as a vector file. Use solid black to indicate the exact areas for foiling (100% black, not a mix of CMYK). Any printed elements on Page 1 covered by black on Page 2 will be hidden by the foil.

2. Keep Clear of the Edges:

To prevent flaking, ensure your Spot UV areas are at least 3mm away from:

• Edges of the artwork
• Any folds or perforations

For an optimal finish, refrain from using thin lines, tiny text, or intricate details. These delicate elements may not translate well in the Spot UV finish.

Uploading Your Artwork

Once you've purchased a product with foiling, our dedicated artworker will carefully review your files. You'll then receive a detailed proof for your order, including:

3 separate views per foiled page:

• Your basic artwork: Unaltered design without foil.
• Foiled elements only: Isolated foil details on a transparent background.
• Combined view: Your artwork with foiled elements overlaid, ensuring precise alignment.

This thorough proof process allows you to confirm everything looks perfect before your order goes into production.

Need Help? Our Design Team is Here!

Have questions about submitting your artwork, advice on getting the most out of Spot UV with your design, or anything else related to Spot UV? Don't hesitate to reach out to our expert design team! They're passionate about helping you achieve stunning results and are always happy to answer your questions and provide guidance.

So, are you ready to add some dazzling effects to your printed materials? Embrace the power of Spot UV and watch your logos, text, and images captivate everyone who sees them!

• Back to the Artwork Support Guides