Limitations of Spot UV & Foil

• To help with trimming we mask Spot UV in studio to the trim area (the client only sees a proof to this point also) If a job is approved online with Spot UV to edge, we reject this and mask to the trim area, and then scan through.

• We can only foil/spot uv to the safety area meaning the foil/spot uv will be 3mm away from the trim line. Again, if this comes through to us we advise the client and ask them if they would like to change the design, if not we will send them a proof and mask to this area so they can see a visual of how this will look.

• We advise against very heavy coverage of Spot UV/foil (such as a full side) as this can lead to cracking when trimmed. Normally a max of 20-30% area coverage for Spot UV is advisable. Clients should remember this is an effect that is used to highlight certain details of their design and improve the overall look, not to replace a lamination.

• We cannot Spot UV/foil over folds or spines. This needs to be at least 2mm away. If a client sends artwork with this going over the folds, we would let them know and give them an opportunity to change the design. In the proofing stage, we will then make sure that this is away from the fold lines/spine.

• We advise a minimum font of 8pt. Anything smaller may not produce very well. This is the same with fine detail. As it’s a clear UV ink that is used, when it’s placed on small/ detailed areas, this can essentially look like a blob and lose the desired effect.

• All borders are to be within the safety area if these are being embellished to ensure correct trimming.

• The thickness of foiling is 40mic thick 

Some Do’s & Don’ts for clients on Embellishment

• Do- Consider highlighting logos’s in spot UV and replacing text (8pt or above) with foil to make the design really stand out. Remember with embellishment sometimes less is more!

• Do- Make sure all the artwork is saved as outlines/vector. Any images used we will have to image trace which can lose a lot of quality ☹

• Don’t- Spot UV or foil any borders as they can be really tricky to get perfectly, If you absolutely have to as part of the design, ensure these are within the safety area

• Don’t- have any text under the foil. If you using the foil to replace text, don’t have any text underneath this. It can cause issues with the overall finish of the foil and not have the desired effect you’ve gone for

• Don’t- Embellish small or thin detail

Booklet cover Spot UV

The front and back outer cover can be Spot UV as single-sided Spot UV with the same rules as lamination.