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What is Spot UV and When Should Product Manufacturers Consider it for Packaging and Labels?

Ever noticed how labels for premium products have some elements with a distinct, glossy texture? This is thanks to spot UV, also known as spot gloss or spot varnish, which adds a thick varnish to certain areas of the label.

From beauty and wellness brands to wineries, distilleries and breweries, companies are using spot UV to give their products a unique or high-end look. We’ll discuss spot UV technology, why you should consider using it for labels, where you can add spot UV, and different label materials this technique is compatible with. 

Spot UV printing

What is Spot UV? 

When you use spot UV for product labels, you’re applying a UV coating to a certain area of a printed label instead of covering the entire surface. As the stock of labels goes through the printing press, rollers cover a board with UV coating. Then, the machine spreads a UV varnish over a cut template. This is a thin film that’s positioned over the label to make sure that only specific design elements are coated.

This technique is different from UV lamination because it doesn’t cover the entire label, just certain elements. 

Why Consider Spot UV Labels 

Gives Products a Premium Look 

A major reason why brands prefer getting spot UV labels is that it gives their products a sophisticated look. By giving your packaging a sleek and polished appearance, it increases the perceived value of your brand.

A study in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science even found that consumers associate luxury packaging with superior product quality and are willing to pay a premium for such products.

Improves Durability 

Spot UV adds a UV coating over key visuals, making them resistant to scratching and fading. This ensures that important parts of the label, like your brand, logo, and product’s name, will remain intact.

Provides a Tactile Experience

With spot UV, you get a raised, smooth texture on some elements, creating a contrast with the rest of the label. This doesn’t just make the label visually attractive, but gives the customer a tactile experience, too. 

In another study, it was found that products that are “aesthetically pleasing through touch” (for example, through spot UV), help build stronger emotional connections and consumer loyalty. Techniques like spot UV can help consumers differentiate your product from the others on the shelf.

Where To Add Spot UV to Labels 

You can use spot UV on just about any part of the label, but it’s most commonly used here:

  • Logos, to help draw attention to your brand identity 
  • Brand name
  • Borders or frames, which give the label a polished look 
  • Product features or key ingredients
  • Elements or entire images
  • QR codes or other promotional elements

Spot UV is Compatible With The Following Materials 

Spot UV is a versatile finishing technique for labels and can be used with the following types of materials: 

  • Paper Labels: Matte or glossy paper are the best choices for spot UV labels because they allow precise application and adhesion of the UV coating. 
  • Film Labels (BOPP or PET): Spot UV adheres nicely to smooth plastic surfaces like BOPP and PET labels. This makes them well-suited to durable labels, particularly for products exposed to moisture-prone environments. 
  • Vinyl Labels: You can also apply spot UV to vinyl labels, which are commonly used for their waterproof qualities.

Some surfaces aren’t very compatible with spot UV finishing, like uncoated paper, textured paper, and fabric-based labels. To learn more about compatibility with your product label, we recommend speaking with our experts at Blue Label Packaging. 

Preparing Label Artwork For Spot UV 

Here’s how to set up your artwork before sending designs to the printer: 

  • Artwork is typically created using software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
  • Open the artwork in a new file and isolate the elements that will have spot UV printing into a separate file or layer. Design elements that won’t have special effects should be in another file or layer.
  • Elements that will have a spot UV effect need a spot color. This can be cyan, black, or magenta.
  • Label each file for your printer clearly so they know which elements need special effects. You should also send them the final rendering so they know what you’re expecting from the final product.
  • Make sure the final design is saved in an Adobe Illustrator or high-resolution PDF file format. 

Get Spot UV Labels For Your Products 

Spot UV labels can give your product a premium and luxurious appearance. It’s particularly useful for products that come in bottles, making them a great choice for beer, wine, and liquor labels.

At Blue Label Packaging, we specialize in creating unique effects for your product label and packaging. Get in touch with us today to request a quote on our spot UV labels.

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The Difference Between Glossy, Satin, and Matte Labels

⚞ The Highlights:

  • Glossy labels produce a bright shine and vivid colors, but they can show fingerprints or reflections in bright lighting.
  • Satin labels blend the vibrancy of gloss with the subdued style of matte, making them a balanced option for versatile designs.
  • Matte labels minimize glare and give a more natural, premium look, which can help your product feel high-end and understated.”

There are plenty of finishing options for product labels, but there’s only one that’s perfect for your design. Glossy, matte, and satin finishes can all look amazing in different situations, so it’s important to figure out which options are right for the look and feel of your labels. Let’s break down the differences between these types of label finishes and why one might be the best option for your products.

Glossy Satin Matte
Durability High with laminate Moderate Moderate
Print Quality High vibrancy and contrast Balanced sheen, good clarity Soft, elegant appearance
Material Flexibility Less flexible Somewhat flexible Most flexible
Water Resistance High with proper coating Moderate to high Moderate to high
UV Resistance High with UV coating Moderate Moderate
Temperature Resistance Moderate to high Moderate High
Cost Higher cost Moderate cost Generally lower cost

What is a Glossy Label Finish?

A glossy finish is a characteristic of laminate or varnish that has a high shine effect. This finish will leave a glossy sheen to your product labels that will certainly pop to consumers.

The reason for this shine is because glossy finishes reflect light. A gloss laminate adds a protective film to the top of your label that will not only protect your design, but also catch the light in attractive ways. A gloss varnish is applied as a liquid that cures and dries to form a protective layer that also reflects light while shielding your label from harm.

Applications for Glossy Labels

Glossy labels stand out thanks to their high-shine finish that does more than just catch the light. This type of label is known for enhancing color contrast, making it an ideal choice for designs that feature complex vivid colors or intricate details.

A jar of muscle builder gummies with a glossy label.

Glossy labels can be ideal for:

  • beverages and Frozen Items: Glossy labels are ideal for beverages and frozen items due to their moisture-resistant properties, ensuring the packaging remains vibrant and intact in cold conditions.
  • Luxury Products: The premium look and feel of glossy labels aligns well with luxury beverages, gourmet foods, cosmetic items, and health supplements.
  • Colorful Labels: Products featuring vibrant colors or detailed artwork benefit from the added depth and dimension offered by gloss finishes.
  • hair Care Products: Given their ability to resist moisture, glossy labels are a popular option for hair care lines that often face humid environments.

Apart from visual advantages, glossy labels come with practical benefits as well. Their capacity to withstand moisture makes them suitable candidates for beverages and food items prone to condensation or stored in refrigeration units. That kind of durability ensures these high-shine labels maintain their composition through each stage—right from transportation all the way up to shelf placement.

What are Satin and Matte Label Finishes?

Unlike a gloss, a matte finish is an effect that creates a dulled and non-reflective surface. Matte laminates are applied to the top of your label material in the same fashion as their glossy counterparts, except that these finishes have the opposite of shiny. A satin finish accomplishes the same goal as matte laminate. The key difference is that satin is the term used for UV varnishes, whereas matte is used in describing laminates.

While glossy surfaces shine for consumers, matte and satin finishes attract attention for different reasons. The dulled effect is by no means boring – in fact, the subtle, muted look imparts a sophistication that creates a more mature, natural feel for your products.

The “flat” effect of a matte or satin finish also allows other design elements to shine. These capabilities allow you to play with the softer aesthetic of matte and satin finishes to add some class and intrigue to your packaging.

Three beer bottles with matte labels.

Applications for Satin Labels

Satin labels are a great middle ground in label finishes, marrying the understated elegance of matte labels with a hint of the reflective charm found in glossy labels. This blend results in a satin-like surface that softly catches light, offering visual appeal without overwhelming shine. This makes satin labels a common option for brands wishing to project sophistication and quality through their packaging.

Satin labels can be ideal for:

  • Custom Candle Labels: The soft glow from candles is perfectly complemented by the muted luster of satin labels, enhancing the product’s aesthetic while maintaining an air of luxury.
  • Beauty Products: From lotions to serums—beauty products benefit from the sophisticated touch offered by these labels; it suggests quality and care put into what’s inside.
  • Wine Bottles: Wine producers often choose satin-finished labels as they add a layer of refinement suitable for showcasing on dining tables or gifting occasions.

In general, it’s easier to write on matte and satin finishes than glossy ones. That can be important if you handwrite batch numbers or add other details to your labels after application.

Rum bottle with custom label

Applications for Matte Labels

Matte labels offer a distinct look that sets them apart in the world of product packaging. Known for their non-reflective finish, matte paper labels bring an air of sophistication and understated elegance to products. These non-reflective labels excel at making text and intricate designs stand out without the distraction of glare.

Satin labels can be ideal for:

  • Luxury Goods: Products positioned at the higher end of the market often leverage matte labels attractive qualities to signify exclusivity.
  • organic Products: The natural-looking label surface aligns perfectly with organic or eco-friendly brand values, suggesting simplicity and purity.
  • Vintage-style Designs: Brands looking to evoke nostalgia or artisanal craftsmanship find a perfect match in the textured backdrop offered by matte finishes.

If you want a classic look that evokes quality, look no further than matte laminates or satin varnishes.

Invest in the Right Label Solution for Your Products

No matter which aesthetic you prefer, it’s important to use the right finish to enhance and protect your design. Blue Label works with you to determine the best mix of material, adhesive, and finish for your exact labeling needs. Whether you need custom matte labels, high gloss labels, or some other solution, we can deliver the right solution for your exact needs.

Ready to invest in quality, custom printed labels for your products? Contact us today to talk about your next label project.