Varnish is a clear liquid that contains resin, drying oil, and volatile solvents and is coated on your products or prints during or after printing. It offers a strong barrier against external factors like dirt, fingerprints, and smudges. In other words, it is the last or final layer on your prints that acts as an additional protective layer. Beyond its mere uses on wood, paintings, and metal, it has also been used on packaging and printables.
Varnish is a game-changer when it comes to packaging. It instantly enhances the look of any substrate, making it perfect for skincare and cosmetic packaging. This finishing technique transforms ordinary materials into luxurious, high-quality packaging that not only looks stunning but also adds extra durability.
By definition, it is a clear or semi-transparent, oil-based coating applied to a surface. In printing and painting, it enhances visual appeal and locks in the ink, giving your prints a polished and professional finish.
When it comes to protecting your prints from abrasion, scratches, or other damage, this type of finish is the top choice. But it’s not just about protection; it also adds a beautiful, shiny surface that catches the eye. Varnish does not end up just adding shine; it also has other types that vary according to the purpose. With many benefits to offer, people usually get confused between other types of finishing coatings, such as lamination and aqueous coating. Let’s dive into everything this clear coating has to offer, from its different types to how it works, and see why it might be the perfect finishing touch for your packaging.
What Does Varnish Contain?
The composition contains a combination of solvents like turpentine or alcohol, resin, and drying oils. As soon as this composite liquid is applied to the material, the solvents evaporate, leaving behind the resin and the oil to harden and form a transparent protective layer. This auto-oxidation process is either accelerated by the addition of driers or catalyzed in the presence of UV light exposure. Oils like linseed, tung, and walnut are commonly used for their drying but are the sole reason for sticky, tacky, or gummy surfaces before drying. Unlike the traditional methods of varnishing, modern varnishes are very fast-drying and do not require many days to complete the process.
Types of Varnish Used in Packaging Printing
Regarding the common types that are available on the market, you need to know that each has its own benefits and effects on the prints.
Gloss Varnish Printing
Gloss is a versatile finish commonly applied to packaging to enhance its visual appeal. It not only intensifies color contrast but also adds depth and detail to the design, making it shiny and reflective. This option is excellent for products that aim to grab attention on store shelves or in promotional materials.
However, its reflective nature can sometimes cause glare under certain lighting conditions, potentially affecting the readability of text or small details. Gloss varnish is often favored for luxury goods and products targeting a younger demographic due to its vibrant and attention-grabbing appearance.
Matte Varnish Printing
The matte finish provides a sophisticated and understated finish to packaging designs. Unlike gloss, its non-reflective surface reduces glare, making it ideal for packaging with extensive text, intricate patterns, or subtle imagery.
This is favored for products that convey elegance, simplicity, or a more subdued aesthetic. It offers a tactile appeal and is less prone to showing fingerprints or smudges, making it suitable for items like premium chocolates, artisanal goods, or eco-friendly products aiming for a minimalist look.
Strike-Through Matte Varnish Printing
In this technique, matte and gloss varnishes are both used on different parts of the printed piece. The matte effect covers most areas, making them look softer, while the glossy effect is applied to specific spots where a shiny effect is needed. This creates a striking contrast, making the glossy areas stand out against the matte background.
Strike-through matte coaring adds depth and dimension to packaging, making it particularly effective for products requiring a balance between sophistication and impact, such as premium wines, gourmet foods, or luxury fashion items.
Satin or Soft Touch Varnish Printing
Satin varnish combines the best of matte and gloss finishes, giving a look that is both stylish and velvety. It adds a light shine that makes packaging look better and helps protect against fingerprints, smudges, and small scratches.
It’s perfect for products needing a mix of elegance and durability, like high-end electronics, specialty drinks, or luxury skincare items. This balanced finish with a velvety soft touch works well with different packaging designs, making products look good and stay polished over time.
What is Meant by a Varnish-Free Area?
A “varnish-free area” refers to a specific part of a printed surface where the liquid is intentionally not applied. This is done to create a contrast between the coated and uncoated areas, which can add visual interest or highlight certain design elements. It’s like leaving a part of a picture unpainted on purpose to make the rest of it stand out more. It can be achieved, whether by mismatching its two types or even by leaving some areas of a single type of varnish coating off.
Pros & Cons of Varnish
When it comes to judging the quality and durability of this protective layering, you should be aware of every detail that comes with it to make an informed decision. Undoubtedly, there are multiple benefits associated with this finishing technique, like:
Pros
- One of the most valuable advantages is its cost-efficiency. Unlike other finishes, it is much cheaper and is a more economical choice to make.
- This finishing technique is also encouraged due to its easy application and the fact that it could be manipulated to get the required results.
- Like any other finishing technique, it can also provide an additional layer of protection at a very low cost.
- It also adds perceived value to your packaging and prints.
- If you choose varnish, you don’t have to go through a whole process of machines and deal with technicians; the application process is easier and more convenient.
- For instance, there are mainly two methods that are widely used in the industry.
- Wet trapping: when this oil-based liquid is applied to wet ink, left to meld together, and dried to create a distinctive look.
- Dry trapping: when the ink is dried first and then a coat of varnish is applied.
Cons
With multiple benefits, this finishing technique also comes with its drawbacks, like:
- The coated substrate is not durable enough to withstand external factors for so long as compared to other types of finishes like aqueous coating or uv coating.
- It is not a suitable choice when you are looking for something more eco-friendly. Because of its inorganic contents like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), silicates and other dangerous substances that, when mixed in the atmosphere, create a harmful impact.
- This coating requires a lot of time for drying because of its nature.
- After applying the coating, it cannot be repaired, modified, or even corrected if there is a mistake.
It also has a limited variety in terms of applications. This means that varnishes are not suitable for every type of material and will not give the required results.
The Varnishing Process in Printing and Packaging
In the packaging industry, the varnishing process involves multiple steps to ensure a seamless and uniform application.
Initially, the packaging material undergoes printing with the desired design using ink. Once the ink is set, the application takes place either through a printing press or a specialized machine.
Liquid Across the surface of the printed material, depending on the type of varnish utilized.
After applying the coating to UV printing, it’s dried or cured using UV light. This quick process hardens the sealant, forming a tough layer over the packaging material. The UV light causes a chemical reaction, making the surface sturdy and glossy.
This method ensures the packaging is strong and lasts longer, making UV printing finishes a top pick for durable packaging.
Varnish Coating Finishes on Paper Packaging and Printed Materials
Varnish coating can dramatically change the appearance and durability of printed materials, with different effects depending on the type of material and application technique.
Coating on Paper
When this clear coat is applied to paper, it provides a protective layer that prevents damage from scratches and smudges. This coating can be glossy, matte or satin, giving paper products like brochures and magazines a refined look. Glossy finishes make colors pop, while matte finishes offer a more subtle, sophisticated finish. This technique is ideal for enhancing the visual appeal and durability of paper-based products.
Coating on Printing
This technique applies varnish to a variety of substrates beyond just paper, such as cardboard, plastic, and metal. Varnish coating printing can include effects like spot varnishing, which highlights specific areas of a print with a shiny finish, or overall varnishing for a consistent look across the entire surface. This versatile application enhances both the aesthetic and protective qualities of various printed materials, making them stand out and endure.
Differences Between Varnish, AQ Coating, Laminaton, & UV Coating
When it comes to protecting your printables and packages, you may go through a list of options to choose from. Some of them will lack somewhere, while others will be a perfect fit. Here we have demystified some of the commonly used types of finishing and the benefits associated with them.
| Features | Varnish | Aqeuous Coating | Lamination | UV Coating |
| Composition | Clear liquid | Water-based | Plastic film | Clear liquid, UV cured |
| Application | Brushing, spraying | Roller coating, spraying | Heat and pressure | Roller coating |
| Appearance | Glossy, sating, matte | Glossy or matte | Glossy or matte | Glossy or matte |
| Transparency | Transparent | Transparent | Opaque | Transparent |
| Protection | Provides resistance to water, chemicals, and UV radiation | It helps prevent scuffing, scratching, and smudging | Provides waterproofing and tear-resistance | Offers protection against scratching, fading, and moisture |
| Durability | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Environmental impact | May contain inorganic solvents | Eco-friendly | Depends on plastic | May contain VOCs, UV curing |
| Drying method | Air drying or forced drying | Air drying | UV curing | |
| Approx drying time | Varies depending on thickness and drying method; typically several hours to overnight | Typically 3 minutes to 1 hour | Instant curing under UV light |
What does varnish do?
- Enhancement: It adds gloss, satin, or matte finishes, intensifying color and bringing out natural textures.
- Protection: It forms a protective layer, guarding against water, chemicals, UV rays, scratches, and abrasions.
- Durability: It increases the resilience of surfaces, maintaining integrity under tough conditions.
- Cleanability: Varnish makes surfaces easier to clean, repelling dirt, dust, and stains.
- Customization: Its different types offer varied sheen levels, allowing for aesthetic customization.
What is Acrylic Varnish?
Another term we hear when it comes to giving your essentials an appealing and protective look is acrylic varnish. It is a clear, protective coating made from acrylic resins. These resins are synthetic polymers that create a durable, flexible finish. Here, it is used to protect and enhance surfaces like paper, wood, and canvases.
What is raised UV?
Raised UV coating, also known as raised spot UV or raised UV varnish, is a specialized finishing technique used in printing to create raised and tactile effects on specific areas of printed materials.
It is also known as spot varnish and involves applying a clear, glossy UV coating to selected areas of the printed piece, such as text, logos, or graphics, in a thicker layer than the surrounding surface.
Here’s how Raised UV Coating Works
Preparation: The printed material is first prepared with the desired design elements, typically using ink or toner.
Application of UV Coating: A clear UV coating is then selectively applied to specific areas of the printed piece using a process similar to spot UV coating. However, in raised UV, a thicker layer of UV coating is applied to create a raised effect.
Curing: The printed piece is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, which cures the UV coating, creating a raised and tactile effect on the selected areas. The UV light causes the coating to harden and adhere to the substrate, forming a three-dimensional texture.
Raised UV Coating Offers Several Benefits
- Enhanced Visual and Tactile Appeal: The raised texture adds visual interest and tactile appeal to printed materials, making them stand out and inviting touch that also opens the doors to many other box design ideas.
- Emphasis on Design Elements: It allows specific design elements, such as logos, text, or graphics, to be highlighted and emphasized, drawing attention to key features.
- Luxurious and Premium Finish: Raised UV coating can give printed materials a luxurious and premium appearance, enhancing their perceived value.
- Utilization: This technique is commonly used in various applications such as business cards, invitations, packaging, book covers, and promotional materials to create eye-catching and memorable effects. You can also choose it for gift card presentation to make it more appealing.
