Spot gloss

What is spot gloss?

Spot gloss is used as a visual element to appeal to readers by drawing attention to specific design elements. Spot gloss is made from liquid varnish that goes through a process called spot UV. Spot UV is when you use a UV light to dry a varnish coating on a printed material. Spot gloss is reflective and clear, showing the difference between matte and glossy surfaces. This is typically one of the last steps completed before publishing a book, including laminations.

The reflection draws people's attention, piquing their interest. The spot gloss adds a raised, smooth texture to flat pages or covers. A spot gloss is typically used on brochures, printed materials, invitations, and business cards. This coating is made to react to UV light through photo initiators. That is what causes the varnish to harden on the book and create that added protective layer on the text or image below it.

Perks of using it

Having a spot gloss gives off a sophisticated aesthetic due to the shine it adds. Publishers usually place gloss on company logos, the author's name, the title, or anywhere they want to emphasize. This coating can help the book's color from fading and can be used on a variety of materials. Once the coating hardens, it adds a layer of protection to the book that makes it valuable for long-term use or storing books. It is environmentally friendly and low-cost for publishers and authors. There are two specific ways to use spot gloss: highlighting text, images, designs, etc. This not only makes the selected element stand out, but it also preserves its details and colors.

On the other hand, it can be applied to a blank surface and let it create the image. This is called Blind Spot UV. Blind Spot UV darkens the area around the gloss, showing a prominent contrast in shade. Stains can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth since the spot gloss separates them from the paper. Spot gloss can be used to highlight a specific aspect of a book that the author or publisher is particularly proud of. Spot gloss is versatile, with paints in many different colors for authors to choose from.

Cons of using it

Readers and authors must be wary, though, when using spot gloss. Since it is a coating, it is very easy to leave fingerprints or smudge it while it is drying, and the drying process takes a considerable amount of time. Books with spot gloss must be treated delicately and cleaned frequently. Spot gloss can still add more to the cost of production, which can delay publication if not taken into consideration ahead of time. Spot gloss is meant to have a smooth finish, but it can become jagged if too many coats are applied. This means that when painting the coat, you have to make sure it is done just right, so you do not have to worry about repainting it.

Spot gloss is sensitive to moisture, so it is advised against selling books with it in high-humidity areas. The humidity can warp the text, cause mold, or lead to bugs being attracted to the book. Since spot gloss emphasizes areas of a book, it has to be placed strategically. Highlighting one area of a book can draw attention to the imperfections of the rest of the book cover. The bright reflectiveness of the gloss can be disorienting in a bright room or too much if you are going for a more subtle aesthetic.

Sources

Everything you need to know about spot UV coating. QinPrinting. (2025, August 22). https://qinprinting.co.uk/spot-uv/