At first glance, printing might seem like the end of a long design project. Printing however is one of the most important parts of the entire design process. For someone new to printing, the different finish options can be confusing. We’ve compiled a short list of the most common options for finishes, and what they mean:
- UV Varnish: creates a gloss on the page. A UV finish can be used as a spot treatment (on a few specific areas of the page) or across the entire page. A spot UV treatment can be effective in making a logo really pop!
- Matte Varnish: gives the printed page a smooth, non-glossy finish. This coating reduces glare and improves small text readability.
- Gloss Varnish: usually used to enhance the colors of printed photographs. The gloss reflects light and makes colors appear more vivid and enhanced.
- Foil blocking: when metallic foil is added to the printed material with heat to set it.
- Satin/silk: this varnish is a middle option between gloss and matte varnishes. It provides some highlight, but is not as flat as a matte varnish.
We hope this helps, if you have more questions about print finishes, leave a comment! To see how different print finishes can enhance your business card, click here.
Here are some print finish websites we find helpful, do you have any you’d like to share?