Spot UV

Spot UV and Foiling are fantastic ways to add a luxurious, tactile, and visually striking finish to print. It's important to understand the different options and how they are applied.

Q: What is Spot UV?

A: Spot UV is a clear, glossy coating applied to specific areas of a printed design to highlight them, creating a contrast in texture and sheen. It's used to make certain elements stand out and catch the light.

Q: What types of Spot UV do we offer?

A: We offer two types of Spot UV: Low Build and High Build.

• The main difference is the thicknessof the UV layer.

• Low Build Spot UV:Is 14 microns thick. It's less "3D" and more like a glossy laminated layer.

• High Build Spot UV:Is 43 microns thick. As you can see from examples, the high build is much thicker and more tactile. We only used to offer High Build before we launched Low Build.

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The choice depends entirely on the look and tactile effect the client is going for. Low Build Spot UV is also a lower cost due to the amount of material used.

Low Build Image:

High Build Image:

Q: What laminations do we offer Spot UV on?

A: Currently, we offer foiling on Soft-touch and Matt lamination. 

Q: How is Spot UV created?

A: Spot UV is created in our Business Card Cell on the MGI Jet Varnish 3D 3VO 75 machine. This versatile machine also handles our foiling work.

Q: My client wants Spot UV and drilling. Is this possible?

A: No, this is not possible. Once Spot UV is applied, the stacks of products become uneven, making it impossible to drill accurately. Therefore, we do not offer drilling on products with Spot UV.

Q: What sizes can we offer Spot UV on?

A: The MGI machine can embellish sheet sizes from SRA3 up to B1. So, as long as we are able to print the product, we can usually embellish it with Spot UV.

Q: Can we offer Spot UV on both sides (inner and outer) of a booklet cover?

A: No, we can only offer Spot UV on the outer cover of booklets.

Q: Is Spot UV recyclable?

A: No, Spot UV is a UV coating and is therefore not recyclable. Additionally, to have Spot UV, the job must first be laminated, and lamination itself is not recyclable.

Q: What exactly is foiling, and how is it produced?

A: Foiling is a special print embellishment that adds a metallic, reflective finish to specific areas of your design. It's crucial to remember that foiling is not embossed (meaning it doesn't create a raised texture).

Our foiling is produced using a unique process: first, a layer of Spot UV varnish is applied to the print. Then, a roll of foil is placed over the top of the print, and the foil adheres only to the areas where the Spot UV has been applied. The layer of Spot UV used for foiling is approximately 40 microns thick, which is slightly thinner than our High Build Spot UV. This is a digital foiling process, differing from traditional hot foiling which uses heat and pressure to transfer foil from a die onto the substrate..

Q: What laminations do we offer foiling on?

A: Currently, we offer foiling on Soft-touch and Matt lamination.

Q: What machine is used to produce foiling?

A: Foiling is produced in our Business Card cell on the MGI Jet Varnish 3D 3VO 75.

Q: What sizes can we offer foiling on?

A: The MGI machine can embellish a wide range of sheet sizes, from as large as B1 down to SRA3. This means that as long as we are able to print it, we can embellish it with foiling. This size capability is the same as what we offer for our standard Spot UV.

Q: Can we offer foiling right up to the trim edge of the artwork?

A: No, foiling cannot extend to the trim edge of the artwork. The artwork must be set up with the foiling positioned within the safety area, at least 3mm away from the trim edge. If foiling is cut through, it will crack and crumble, compromising the print finish. Please advise your clients of this requirement to ensure the best possible result.

Q: Can clients have very thin logos and lines embellished with foiling?

A: We do not recommend using foiling for very thin or intricate logos and lines. For the best, crispiest lines and optimal foiling finish, simple designs work best. If a client is unsure about their design, they are welcome to send their files to us to check before placing the order.

Q: What is the smallest font size we can foil?

A: We do not recommend using any font size smaller than 8pt for foiling. It's also best to avoid very thin or delicate fonts.

Q: Are there any other key guidelines or recommendations for setting up foiling artwork?

A: Yes, here are some important tips to remember for optimal foiling results:

• Coverage: Keep Spot UV/foil elements to less than 25% coverage of the total area, as excessive coverage increases the risk of cracking.

• Distance from Edge: Ensure foiling is at least 3mm away from the trim edge of the artwork to prevent it from being cut through and peeling off.

• Fold Lines: Foiling cannot go over any fold lines, as this will cause it to crack. It needs to be at least 3mm away from any fold lines.

• Line Thickness: Any lines in the design that are to be foiled should be no less than 1pt in thickness.

• Text Size: As mentioned, text needs to be at least 8pt.

• Clear Texture: Foiling can be printed onto a blank background, which will give a clear, glossy, textured effect on the artwork.

• Less is More: Foiling is a unique embellishment that adds depth and impact. Using too much can detract from the final product.

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How to Set Up Your Artwork for Spot UV / Foiling (Same Process):

1. Create a Unique Spot Colour in Your Design Programme: * i. Create a new colour swatch in the swatches panel. * ii. Change the 'Colour Type' to 'Spot'. * iii. Create a new colour value (we recommend using a bright colour to distinguish your spot colour from the colours you're actually using in your design – e.g., 50% Magenta and 100% Yellow for easy visibility). * iv. Name this new colour swatch "Spot UV" or "Foil" (depending on the embellishment). This is very important because our system has been set up to recognise these specific names.

2. Design Your Spot UV / Foiling Layer: * i. Create a second layer for your design (you might like to rename this layer, e.g., "Spot UV Layer" or "Foil Layer", to make things easier when you switch between the two). * ii. Toggle your viewing setting so that you can see what's on the layer underneath. * iii. Copy elements from your first layer that you want to be emphasised by the embellishment and paste them into your second layer. Alternatively, you can design completely new elements directly in the second layer. Note: These elements should be vectorised shapes for the best quality. * iv. Recolour all elements in this second layer with your unique "Spot UV" or "Foil" spot colour.

3. Save as PDF and Send to Print:  * Ensure you save your file as a PDF with layers preserved, so our system can correctly identify the embellishment layer.