Print Coating Types & Which is Best for Your Job?

The right coating can make or break your print project, and each project may need something different. CPC Printing and Promotions wants to make sure that your piece turns out the best possible. Whether you want protection against moisture, dirt, overall wear-and-tear or if you want to enhance your work aesthetically, the coating you choose can make a big difference. To make sure you choose wisely, here are some of the most popular print coating types and the benefits of each.

Varnish Coating

Varnish is a widely used print coating because of its low cost and variety of uses. Varnish coating can be a spot treatment applied to only certain elements of the project or can be a flooded, all-over coating. It also comes in different varieties: gloss, matte, and satin. Although varnish is a great option for its price, it does have its drawbacks. This coating is less protective than other print coating types and tends to yellow over time.

Aqueous Coating

If you couldn’t tell by the name, aqueous coating is a water based variety that is most common in today’s industry. When using aqueous coating it is usually applied for all-over coverage. This type of print coating has protective sealants preventing smudges and fingerprints from showing on your piece. Aqueous coating is shinier and smoother than varnish and is more resistant to abrasions. Aqueous coating dries faster than varnish coatings, giving you a quicker turn-around at the printer.

UV Coating

UV coatings are liquid-based and are applied and cured by UV lamps. This coating type dries instantly with high gloss and hard finish.  You can choose to have a flooded coating or spot cover with raised effects which are a possibility when using UV coating. Added perks of UV coating include it being chemical and abrasion resistant and also solvent free. When using UV coating it does have a few requirements and specifications: inks used on the piece need to be UV inks, non micro crystalline wax, and also must be heat and chemical resistant to prevent discoloration and bleeding. UV coating comes in many varieties including: high gloss, matte, satin, along with other specialty finishes like orange peel and pearlescent.

Laminate Coating

Laminate coating is unique in that it comes in two different types: film-based and water-based. Both are strong finishes, but liquid lamination is less expensive. Film laminate coating is slow to apply making it the more costly options. It also doesn’t support spot-treatment, the coating is applied across the entire piece. But it does have it’s perks. Film-based laminate coating protects the piece from water, it has a strong, washable finish with high gloss. It won’t yellow or flake over time and is scratch-resistant. Like the other print coatings, laminates come in a number of varieties including: gloss, satin, matte, along with a variety of tints & texture, and lenticular.

If you have any questions about your particular print project, contact CPC and get a recommendation from the professionals.