Coating Basics
There are two primary reasons that specialty coatings are used on printed pieces: protection and aesthetics. And both are equally important in deciding which coatings are right for you. Coatings can be perfect for mailed pieces, or pieces that are handled frequently by many people, because they will prevent damage. But, all coatings have their own unique feel, a tactile aspect that people may only notice unconsciously when they hold your printed piece.

Liquid Coatings

Most coatings go onto your printed piece in a liquid form. These include Aqueous, UV, and Varnish type coatings. The great thing about these coatings is that they go on easily, inexpensively, and they have a wide variety of options to choose from, making liquid coatings by far the most common in the industry.

Liquid coatings are generally available in one of three finishes: Matte, Glossy, and Satin, each of which has its own appeal. Gloss aqeuous or UV coatings are extremely slick, and have a deep finish that turns a printed piece into something much more like a photograph. They are great for product, celeb and other types of pictures that look better with a shine on them. Satin and matte finishes will give your piece a softer texture, and may be more ideally suited to wedding photography, landscapes, and other types of art where a different mood is required.

Laminated Coatings

For the strongest, most durable protective layer on a piece, nothing beats a lamination. When a piece is laminated, a clear adhesive glues a very thin sheet of plastic to the printed piece. Although lamination can be pricey, the benefits of it are astounding. A laminated sheet becomes nearly indestructible, particularly one with a thick laminate on it. Restaurants use lamination to make menus that are water resistant, and virtually tear proof. But lamination is also a great fit for a creative professional who wants to make sure that her work arrives in perfect condition through the mail. It is perfect for covering your next softcover book, too.

Need Help with Design?
Our talented design and prepress staff are happy to help you custom tailor a look that accurately represents your company and the image that you want to present.

If you already have design ideas, our techs can help you realize them quickly and inexpensively. If you just need advice or support, we are here to help with any technical issue that you might have.

Specialty Pre-Flighting
Do you have a job that needs some help? Feel free to talk to us about technical preflighting. Our prepress staff will make sure that your job will print well under any conditions.

Template Evaluation
Have a big project that needs to go smoothly? Send us the first few pages before you dive into the bulk of the job. Frequently, problems with book templates can cause major problems if they aren't caught early in the creative process. If you have started a job with us, feel free to submit a few file samples before you finish the job. It will give you confidence and it will speed the prepress aspect significantly.