What is it?
Varnishing is the process of applying a varnish (clear liquid) over a printed area. This can be either ‘All-over UV’ print, which covers the entire printed page for protection or sheen, or in specific areas, known as ‘Spot UV’, which adds shine and depth to these areas.
Uses & Benefits
Varnishing enhances print, and is traditionally used on magazine covers and brochures. When applied to the entire printing surface, the page becomes robust without adding too much weight to the paper stock.
Some benefits include:
- Varnishing gives extremely glossy and up market appearance.
- When used as ‘Spot UV’ it can be used to highlight specific design areas, such as logos or pictures.
- All-over UV varnish – Gloss, matt, glueable gloss, and ‘Benzo – free’ food grade gloss
- Spot UV
- Pattern UV – Stripped for glue flaps
- Minimum Size 335 x 235mm
- Maximum Size 720 x 1020mm
Specifications – Spot UV
Minimum size is 335 x 235 (Grip on 335mm edge)
Maximum size is 720 x 1020 (Grip on 1020mm edge)
Minimum weight is 115gsm
Maximum weight is 500gsm
UV varnish requires a coated or sealed surface for the varnish to sit-up on the stock. Please ensure the finished job of work which will be varnished is free of spray powder. The finish quality will be compromised if powder is present.
Please clearly mark/label where jobs have been cut, denoting the differences from the initial format in which it was printed.
To process the Spot finish we need to shoot a plate. Achieving a proper fit to existing print with our plates requires specialized techniques achieved through our plate makers.
Electronic file either emailed to rotoflex@rotoflex.com.au or on CD.
[Full specification for artwork see below – Art Supply Specifications. Please read carefully. Where artwork does not meet specification additional artwork charges will apply.]
A print sheet of the actual job: Artwork is fitted to the printed sheet to ensure correct fit. Proofs of any kind are not useful for this part of the process.
A hard copy or sample of the Spot UV plate: We need to verify the file is correct. This can be Digital copy/laser etc. of Spot file or sample of previous job. We require something to check the electronic file against.
Specifications – ALL-OVER UV
Minimum size is 300 x 400 (Grip on 400mm edge)
Maximum size is 720 x 1020 (We grip on 1020mm edge)
Minimum weight is 115gsm
Maximum weight is 500gsm
UV varnish requires a coated or sealed surface for the varnish to sit-up on the stock. Please ensure the finished job of work which will be varnished is free of spray powder. The finish quality will be compromised if powder is present.
Please clearly mark / label where jobs have been cut, denoting the differences from the initial format in which it was printed.
We require space around the sheet between the finished image and the edge of the sheet. Grip on sheets is the same as a conventional press (10mm), and ideally 5mm on the other three edges.
Specifications – ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS
Do’s & Don’ts:
- Always include all linked and placed images.
- Avoid embedding linked images into a document.
- Supplied scans must be high resolution.
- Use singe-outlined vector shapes (i.e. do not use compound paths, clipping masks, and linked pics).
- Do not perform any trapping.
- Artwork is to show a die line, trim marks, or live art area where relevant.
- Please supply a hard copy proof for verification of files.
Macintosh is our preferred format. PC files can be accepted but they MUST be supplied as follows:
- Corel Draw (version 8 and below), can be supplied as a native Corel file, or exported as an Illustrator file (.ai) file.
All fonts must be converted to outlines. - PC Illustrator (v10 and below). Outline all fonts.
- PC Freehand (v10 and below) Outline all fonts.
- Word documents can only be used for a type reference, not as final art.
When supplying fonts please include both printer and screen fonts to avoid problems. Ensure all fonts are saved to Outlines (or curves for PC).
All files are to be preferably supplied on CD or via email to rotoflex@rotoflex.com.au
Please compress files sent via email. This speeds transfer time and supports file integrity.
Email ought to include:
- Client Name
- Contact details
- Job Name & Description (job number optional)
- Artwork files & PDF
- Program and file format supported.