Paper Coating Types – Which Is Best for Your Printing Job?
How your printing project turns out depends a lot on the type of paper coating you choose. A good paper coating protects your printed materials and gives them a unique touch. To preserve them, think about using protective coatings, like laminates. As there are many different kinds of coatings available, this blog post discusses the various types so you can make your printed pieces of the highest quality.
Types of Paper Finishes to Use for a Commercial Printing Job
Varnish Coating
Varnish coatings are used widely because of their low cost and ease of application. They are available in satin, gloss and dull finishes, and are applied like an ink. Varnish can be applied to the entire sheet or on certain portions to highlight them. It functions as a protective overlay while also adding an extra shine. Printers must handle these varnishes carefully to control the release of hazardous volatile compounds into the atmosphere. Once dry, they render a perfect finish to the print.
If you want to provide supreme protection to your printed marketing materials, varnish coating may not be the right choice as it tends to yellow as time passes. Use varnish rather than processed colours to prevent yellowing. Application of a little offset spray powder ensures that the printed sheets do not stick together. However, the powder must not be left behind as it can affect the overall look of the finished piece. As the process of applying varnish coating is not easy and demands efficacy, hire printing experts to get it done right.
UV Coating
To protect your printed marketing materials, consider UV coating. From matte to gloss to satin, UV coatings are available in a wide range of finishes. Such coatings are applied in-line and off-line by printers, converters or finishers. A roller, blanket or screen is used to apply UV coatings and then exposed to ultraviolet light to harden the coating. Coatings can be applied across the full page or on certain portions only.
UV coatings have some drawbacks. They are prone to chemical burning which makes it difficult to fold your printed materials. If everything is not done right, UV coatings will not spread evenly on the page; this gives them an orange peel look. They sometimes also increase roughness or defects on the surface of the paper. Printers will make sure to use coated papers to apply UV coatings as uncoated papers sink coat into the sheet and keep a little bit of it on the surface. For the best results in UV coatings, printers must use UV ink. If you decide to use conventional ink, make sure it is wax free and dries completely before the application of the coating. To prevent drying of the UV coating, printers use new hybrid ink.
Aqueous Coating
Aqueous coating is perfect for protecting printed materials from fingerprints and smudges. It is nature friendly and adds an excellent shine to printed materials. In Toronto and other surrounding areas, business owners use aqueous coating for print marketing to create a positive brand image. You can it in gloss and dull finishes to restrict the exposure of ink to air. As they are less likely to yellow, they are ideal for printing projects that feature ample white space. To add a unique touch to printed materials, printers combine aqueous coatings along with varnish and UV coatings. The combination may be costly and takes a long time to dry if production is not managed well.
One of the drawbacks of aqueous coating is that it is prone to chemical burning. To reduce this risk, printers use more stable and substitute inks, similar to ones that are likely to burn.
Laminate Coating
Laminate coating is available in film and water-based forms in a variety of textures and colours. The films are classified according to thickness. Printers use the thinnest ones for those printed items that are to be rolled or folded. To make the printed material waterproof, laminate is applied to one or both sides of the paper. Film laminates are chosen over liquid coatings to provide more protection to your marketing materials. As film laminate coating is available in a variety of finishes, including matte, satin, and gloss, you can choose the one best suited to your needs.
Polypropylene is the cheapest and the most popular laminate coating used for printing. As it gives a softer finish, it works well for printed materials that will be folded. Although polypropylene is prone to scratching, it is a great choice if you want to save money. Polyester costs more than polypropylene and provides a strong coating to your printed materials. Nylon is the most expensive laminate coating because it lasts for a long time.
Which Paper Coating is Best for Your Job?
Choosing the right paper coating for your printing job is tricky. To provide maximum protection to your printed materials, laminates are the best option. They are widely used in a variety of applications but may not be suitable for printing projects with short life spans or large print runs. When you use laminates, you can choose different ways to complete the printing, as per your needs. Let’s say you can combine two types of paper coating to get the desired results. If you feel confused when selecting the paper coating for your printing job, consult a printing company in your area. Tell them about the kind of printing you want and the amount of protection you want within your budget. These printing experts can suggest the most appropriate paper coating option for your needs.
By using coated paper for printing, you add gloss, smoothness and protection to your printed materials. Choosing the right paper coating is essential to make your print pieces stand out. As you are now aware of the different types of available paper coatings and their qualities, you can more easily pick out the one that meets your needs.
