subject: What are Spot UV Business Cards? [print this page] What are Spot UV Business Cards? What are Spot UV Business Cards?
Spot UV business cards have really come into fashion over the past several years, adding a lot of popularity in that time.
The idea is simple but brilliant and allows for endless possibilities - all of which are attention grabbing and unique.
What is Spot UV?
You have probably come across matte business cards.
You've probably heard of glossy business cards.
Simply stated, spot UV business cards are a mix of both.
Instead of applying a gloss (AKA UV) coating to the entire card, it is is merely applied in set places, as directed by the graphic designer.
oftentimes, you'll see it applied to the logo, company name, or other vital graphic element. Other times it's applied in an original pattern (for example, fleur de lis, lines, diagonal stripes, plaid, in circles, rotating outward in a spiral, etc.).
The options are infinite.
Spot UV can be employed on both the front and back of your card. Also it can often be applied to different card stocks including standard matte, silk cards, and more.
Benefits of Spot UV Printing
Spot uv is impossible to ignore. It yields both a visible and textural experience different from other business card types. Its closest example would probably be foil cards, in which foil is similarly added to specific elements in the card for visual and textural emphasis.
Spot gloss is a leading choice for designers because of its eye-grabbing appearance and openness to creativity.
Anyone who receives it is likely to be wowed as well, creating a lasting impression.
How Do You Create a Spot UV Business Card?
Creating a spot uv print project is not overly difficult. In fact, the setup is like other business card designs - with one extra step.
Here's how: a standard business card requires the purhcaser to upload a single design file (that is, for each side of the card). This file shows the artwork that will be applied to the card.
For spot UV business cards, this same file is uploaded. In addition, you're required to upload a mask file. A mask file is little more than another design file indicating where the UV coating should be applied.
The mask file is only black and white. Always. For a full color card as well. In whichever places there there is black, gloss will be applied. Wherever there is white, no UV is applied.
In other words, everything in the original design that will not have uv is absent from the mask file. So, if you want to add spot UV to your logo, but not to your contact details, your mask file contains only your logo in 100% black.
