As digital printing technology advances, UV coating is becoming a popular choice for businesses across the country.
The industry is experiencing rapid growth and is forecast to reach a CAGR of 10% over the next five years.
Are you keen to find out what this innovative printing process can offer you? Find out more about the pros and cons of UV printing, here.
What Is UV Coating?
UV coating printing services use specialized inks containing kaolinite, polyethylene, or calcium carbonate added to viscosifiers, so they bond with the paper. After printing, they dry the material using UV lights.
Here’s how UV coatings can enhance your printed marketing collateral:
High Gloss Finish and Exceptional Clarity
If you want to show off your products in the best light, UV coating is an excellent choice for you.
UV coatings create an intense sheen that works brilliantly with deep, rich colors. That makes it a popular choice for product catalogs and brochures with photographs.
The details pop with this kind of printing, so it works well with company logos too.
Fast Drying Time
The curing process for these coatings takes place under UV lights, which means the ink dries faster than conventional inks. It’s usually dry within a few minutes.
That makes UV finishes ideal for last-minute print jobs.
Environmentally-Friendly Benefits of UV Coating
Although this advanced printing process seems complicated and chemically fueled, it isn’t. This curing method emits no VOCs, and you can recycle these printed materials like any other paper. The tea companies may show their tea off in a strip or oval window or rely on specialized printing to incorporate an exclusive label.
Unlike solvent-based ink, printers use all the ink to create the final product, so there’s no wastage and the quick drying time minimizes carbon emissions, too.
UV Coating Is Abrasion-Resistant
The durability of UV printing makes it stand out far above conventional print methods. This hard finish resists smudging, scratches, and minor chemicals.
If you’re working on a piece that’s bound to change hands often, like a business card, UV printing is the best way to ensure it stays pristine throughout its lifespan.
Drawbacks of UV Coating For Printing
Although UV print processes suit most high-end print jobs, they’re not ideal for everything. You should avoid using this technique in the following instances:
- With metallic inks or foil stamping
- On paperweights under 100#
- Materials that people will write on
- The address portion of a mailed piece
So, if you’ve got your heart set on one of the above, you can cross a UV finish off your wish list. There are many other printing services available to better suit your needs.
Finding the Best Fit for You
UV coating is one way to make your printed work stand out, but it’s not the only trick in the box for accomplished print services.
It’s important to work with an experienced professional when designing and printing your materials. They can best advise on the latest techniques to make your print work stand out.
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