All about Spot UV Business Cards – SilkCards
Category: :: 01/07/2020
Designing a memorable business card is about making decisions that align with your brand. After you choose your layout, logo, material, and typeface and font, you have to choose your finish.
There are numerous printing techniques available, and the most successful business cards use them strategically in order to stand out from the crowd. One of these techniques is Spot UV printing.
In this blog post, we’ll answer some common Spot UV business card questions, including:
- What is Spot UV for business cards?
- What’s the difference between Spot UV and Raised UV business cards?
- What are the benefits of choosing Spot UV?
- What are some ideas for designing business cards with Spot UV?
- Where can I buy Spot UV business cards?
Here’s everything you need to know about Spot UV printing:
What is Spot UV for business cards?
Spot UV refers to the print finish technique of applying a clear liquid coating over ink and exposing it to ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV light instantly dries and seals in the ink, so the finished product is glossy and shiny where the coating was applied.
Spot UV is often paired with a matte cardstock base to create maximum visual and textural contrast, and is applied to bring attention to particular design elements.
What’s the difference between Spot UV and Raised UV business cards?
Spot UV is a glossy treatment applied to the base layer. It’s referred to as “spot” because it’s only applied to certain elements such as text or background designs (rather than the entire surface of the card).
Raised UV is the same glossy treatment applied to particular design elements, but raised off the surface of the card to add texture and depth. It’s a great way to enhance the tactile experience of your card.
Want to see Spot UV and Raised UV business cards for yourself? Request a Silkcards sample pack.
What are the benefits of choosing Spot UV?
Spot UV finishes enhance business cards so they can stand out from the pack. Especially when paired with a matte base, the shiny finish reflects light for an eye-catching look, and the smooth texture feels luxurious to the touch.
In addition, when printed on the correct tear- and water-resistant stock, the UV coating helps with durability. Thicker material works especially well with UV treatment, making for a sturdier, longer-lasting card with an unforgettable feel.
Related reading: How to Accent Your Business Card Design with Gloss
Ideas for designing business cards with Spot UV
Spot UV printing emphasizes this business’s logo and name with a glossy, metallic look against a sleek, black background. The design is modern and simple, but the UV adds an interesting element that catches the eye.
The textured background on this card is a subtle cityscape design made with Raised UV printing. With painted edges for a pop of color, this is a perfect example of how to combine printing techniques to create a memorable business card.
This bold and bright card makes a big statement! The maze pattern in the background is an example of blind UV printing, where the background is the same color as the raised element, just matte instead of glossy. It’s one way to add more visual interest to a design.
Where to buy Spot UV business cards
When you hand your business card to someone, it needs to make an impact, and Spot UV printing has the biggest impact when it’s strategically combined with other printing techniques.
We at Silkcards are the Spot UV printing pros, and we also offer a variety of other high-quality techniques — embossing, die cutting, perforation, rounded corners, and more.
We print show-stopping business cards every day, because we believe that no card should be ordinary. With our Spot UV printing and other customization options, you can take your business cards to the next level and create something truly unforgettable.
Everything you need to know about sizing your business cards for print.