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. The reflection it causes 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.

Perks of using it

Having a spot gloss also gives off a sophisticated aesthetic. 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. 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.

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. Books with spot gloss must be treated delicately and cleaned frequently. Spot gloss can also add more to the cost of production, which can delay publication if not taken into consideration ahead of time.