TKs Korner Masthead

February 2023



Protect your printed piece!


Use of Coating techniques can not only be eye catching, but also, surprise them with a tactile WOW feel once they pick it up.



When adding a coating effect to your printed materials, you can really make a significant visual impact, as well as provide a level of protection. Over the years, many of you have asked great questions about which coating technique would work best for a particular design or project. I'm happy to tell you that I have a lot of experience working with these techniques and have a great collection of samples to share with you. Just give me a call and we can meet to discuss them in more detail.

For now, let's take just a couple of minutes to review the many different types of coating techniques.

Varnish can be run either clean/contaminated, wet/dry trap, as spots on its own, side-by-side, or as floods. You can choose from gloss, satin and dull varnish options, which can provide precise spot or overall application.

On the downside, varnish does not provide a great deal of protection, is susceptible to yellowing and is not environmentally friendly. You must also remember to allow for increased production time, due to the additional drying needed before printing the second side.

Aqueous coating can be done as a flood in gloss, satin or dull. Aqueous coatings provide good protection against fingerprints and will not yellow. This environmentally friendly coating is water-soluble and production time is quicker than with a regular varnish, as the second side can print immediately.

In the event you are looking for a spot aqueous, special plates can be made. However, an aqueous coating is difficult to spot-apply with precision, is susceptible to UV Burn, and requires at least 80 lb. text weight of stock.

Combining varnish with an aqueous can be accomplished by running one coating technique on top of the other (dry or wet trapped). Also called strike-through varnish, this technique is the most effective way to achieve a combined gloss and dull effect. The varnish provides a dulling effect while the aqueous coating provides the gloss.

Like all coating techniques, the nature of the printed piece dictates which coating will be most effective. Some excellent uses of this coating technique include call-to-action emphasis and highlighting specific areas within images, over products, or a combination of both.

A soft-touch aqueous coating is a unique technique that provides a very soft, rich and "velvety" feel. This process is fairly new and provides a softer look and feel to printed pieces, while significantly reducing fingerprinting. It is important to note that the darker the palette, the more muted the colors will appear. Soft-touch aqueous will definitely add a unique dimension to the right pieces.

Truly a tactile feel, soft-touch aqueous is a very unique coating effect that you must feel to believe! Call me today and I can bring you a sample to experience for yourself.

UV Coating is another nice coating technique that can be accomplished as a spot or flood in gloss or satin finish. It provides the best protection over other liquid coatings and will not yellow.

But it's important to remember that this coating technique can show fingerprints, is susceptible to UV Burn, can crack when folded, requires additional production time, and is not environmentally friendly.

Raised Spot UV Coating combines the look of thermography and UV blended together. This technique allows you to create very textural printed materials that can emulate substrates like leather, mesh, suede, canvas, cotton and many other tactile effects.

I have an extraordinary printed sample that employs this technique. It's an annual report that has the literal look-and-feel of an old-time leather scrapbook. Complete with raised and glossy sepia-tone photographs, this report really commands attention and draws the reader into the piece.

Sandpaper Feel

And speaking of creative printing effects . . . How would you feel if you picked up a piece that felt like a rough granular sand like texture? That’s right!! It could be used for environmental, outdoor, sporting products, stone / rock materials, etc. Can be flood and / or spot.


Paper MattersYour choice of paper stock has a huge impact on coating outcomes. Different paper stocks (such as coated gloss, dull, velvet, satin or matte) deliver various effect or impact for each coating technique utilized. Keep in mind that using an uncoated sheet typically will not yield any real noticeable effect or benefit of a coating.For more information, go to TK's Korner article "Picking the Right Paper and Substrate"

Additional Topics of Interest

Past issues of TK's Korner that you may find of interest:


Before we go...

If you have a production issue not discussed above that you would like me to address, or a project that needs to be looked at, please give me a call or send me an email.

As always, I will do whatever it takes to ensure you receive the best value for every marketing dollar you invest.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

You can also check out my profile, join my network and view more client comments on LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkubinski


Referrals are greatly appreciated. If you know someone I can help, or who might like to receive TK's Korner, please let me know.


Take care and have a great day!

Successfully,

Tom Kubinski

Printing Consultant Who Helps You Make Good Impressions

TKubinski@shapco.com
Direct: 612-278-1568
Cell: 612-760-3700


 

Our Work

Shapco has done it all — showstopping display pieces, innovative packaging, award-winning art books, direct mailers that get results, you name it — and our team is always ready for a new challenge.

 

Explore our portfolio and start envisioning what we can do for you.

Take a Virtual Tour of Shapco and visit our Website for more information.

 

Virtual Tour: Shapco Printing Inc.

 

Website: Shapco - Minnesota's Most Awarded Offset & Digital Printer

 

Our Services: Advertising Specialties, Large Format, Full Service Mailing, Fulfillment / Inventory Management, e Commerce Portal, Offset Printing, Digital Printing, Packaging, Kitting etc.

 

Our Work: Advertising Specialties, Books, Packaging, Digital, Large Format, Booklets, Brochures, UV Offset, Direct Mail, Specialties, Menus and a whole lot more

 

Why Shapco: "If You Dream It, Shapco Can Print It. What can Shapco do for you?"

 

Did you miss an issue of TK's Korner? Click below to view!

Branding - 22 Laws Of
Brand Warfare
Clear Dry Ink
Creative Coatings Techniques
Desktop Techniques
Digital Printing - Variable Data or Business Development
Direct Mail Raise Response, Lower Costs
Duotones-Tritones-Quadtones
FSC Certification
In House Mailing Capabilities
Ink Tour—Everything you wanted to know
Marketing More Effectively
Microsites
Paper Mill Tour - Coated
Paper Mill Tour - Uncoated
Picking the Right Paper and Substrate
PDF Formats
PDF Info & Quark vs. InDesign
PODi - Digital Print Success Story
Postal Changes, Mailing Requirements & Rates
Press Check Tips
PURLs
PURL - Avoid Dog House Campaign
QR Codes
Save Disk Space
Social Media -- The Basics
Social Media vs. Print
Top File Issues
UV Burn
Ways to Save Money
What Sets Shapco Apart?
Why Print in a Down Market?
Why Work With TK?

 

 

Tom Kubinski
Printing Consultant
TKubinski@shapco.com
Direct: 612-278-1568
Fax: 612-334-5879
Cell: 612-760-3700



www.shapco.com
1109 Zane Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN. 55422
Phone: 612-375-1150
Fax: 612-334-5879
Toll Free: 1-800-230-2828


Did you miss an issue
of TK's Korner?
Click to view!