--- title: Creating Spot UV effect description: "### **Spot UV Coating** **Spot UV** is a **clear, shiny coating** applied to specific areas of your artwork, creating a striking contrast between glossy and matte surfaces. This effect enhances the **visual appeal and texture**, making it a premium choice…" url: "https://momocodesign.com/docs/creating-spot-uv-effect/" updated: "2025-06-18" category: Artwork Tutorials --- # Creating Spot UV effect ### **Spot UV Coating** **Spot UV** is a **clear, shiny coating** applied to specific areas of your artwork, creating a striking contrast between glossy and matte surfaces. This effect enhances the **visual appeal and texture**, making it a premium choice for business cards, brochures, and packaging. ✅ **Key Benefits:** - Adds a **glossy, high-end finish** to selected areas. - Enhances contrast between matte and shiny surfaces. - Ideal for **logos, text, or design elements** to stand out. ⚠️ **Design Tip:** Ensure the **Spot UV layer** is set up correctly in your artwork—usually by using a separate **K100 (black) layer** to indicate the areas where the effect should be applied. ![Spot UV effect](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Spot-UV.webp) **Step 1**: Create 2 artboards ![Spot UV Effect Artboard](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Spot-UV-artboard.webp) **Step 2**: Save as PDF ( 1 pdf file for each printing side) ## Spot UV Artwork Checklist Preparing artwork can be a complex task. To avoid error, extra cost and delays, we have prepared a comprehensive checklist to assist you in preparing your Spot UV artwork successfully. Please ensure every step stated has been duly complied in your artwork. ### Images - The image to be Spot UV varnished can be a vector graphic, text, shape, solid colour or picture (need to trace out the Spot UV part for picture). - Vital elements (text, images, logo, etc) must be kept within the Safe Zone. – Fill the area/image to be Spot UV varnished with PROCESS BLACK (K=100). - No tint or gradient effect allowed. - Registration of image to be Spot UV varnished must be accurately aligned with the offset printing artwork. - Spot UV NOT applied to outlines or outlines of a table (Outlines may cause unattractive mis-registration more noticeable). - Spot UV NOT applied at gluing area. - Spot UV NOT applied along the edge/trim line, die-cut line and creasing line of artwork. - Spot UV artwork has a distance of 3mm away from creasing line to avoid Spot UV cracking after being folded. ### Text - Font size is not less than 5pts (Based on Arial font type size) - Small logos which contain wording, the font is not less than 4pts (eg: ©). - Not using a font type with a sharp end edge (eg: Serif font). ### Line - Line thickness is not less than 0.5pts ### Artwork File - Artwork is prepared in the correct PRODUCT SIZE TEMPLATES. - All guidelines and text descriptions in PRODUCT SIZE TEMPLATES are REMOVED. - Artwork is saved in required file format: Adobe Acrobat Document 5 – version 1.4 (\*.pdf) (Jpeg file not accepted). - Resolution : 300dpi - Colour mode : CMYK colour mode - 2 files are prepared : File 1 – Artwork without image to be Spot UV varnished. File 2 – Artwork of image to be Spot UV varnished (Save your file with transparent background). - Zip 2 PDF file together or combine and save into 1 PDF file (2 pages). - Artwork file is arranged according to Printboxer specification and published to PDF file. - Other than hyphen (-) and underscore (_), your filename doest NOT include any other marks or symbols. ## Preparing File for Spot UV Finishing ### Step 1: You will have to prepare 2 PDF files to apply Spot UV on your printing material. File 1: File for the full artwork WITHOUT Spot UV File 2: File for the image to be Spot UV varnished fill in K100 Note: - Full bleed Spot UV is NOT ALLOWED. (Except packaging box) - Spot UV over creasing line is NOT ALLOWED. (Except packaging box) - Spot UV is NOT ALLOWED in JPEG and must fill in K100 WITHOUT any gradient and shadow - Spot UV not nice on finish good if the spot UV is JPEG/ TIFF format ![](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Layer-2-6-1024x535.webp) ### Step 2: Repeat the same steps if you are preparing for Both Sides Spot UV Varnish. ![](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Layer-3-5.webp) ### Step 3: Upload your artwork to place order. ## Spot UV Finishing Artwork Alert 1. Please follow Spot UV artwork specification in ‘Spot UV Artwork Checklist’. Members shall alert artwork prepared is follow guidelines. ### Tolerance - Registration accuracy of spot UV is ± 0.25 mm - Member may not reject order if Spot UV defects affect only 2% or below of the printed quantity per order. - Spot UV may cause the card thickness to become uneven and packed cards may become slightly curved (i.e. not flat when placed on table, in wallet, card holder, etc). \*Expressprint shall not accept any rejects claims for curved Business Cards due to these factors. ### Possible Problems - Below are some examples of possible Artwork setting problems. Spot UV elements are outlined in YELLOW. ![](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Layer-4-3-1024x745.webp) ![](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Layer-5-2-761x1024.webp) ### Printing Artwork ![](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Layer-6-1-1024x881.webp) ### Spot UV Artwork ![](https://momocodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Layer-7-2-1024x618.webp) ### ⚠ **Important Notes:** - Spot UV can be applied to the **edges**, but this is **not recommended** as it may **peel** over time. - The Spot UV layer **must be a separate design layer** and filled with **PROCESS BLACK (K=100)**. ✅ **What You Can Apply Spot UV To:** - **Vector graphics, text, shapes, solid colors, or images** (must trace out Spot UV areas for images). - **Logos, key design elements, or specific areas** for a luxury effect. 🚫 **What to Avoid:** - **No tints or gradients**—only **solid K100** areas are allowed. - **No outlines or table borders**—this may cause visible misalignment. - **No Spot UV on gluing areas** to prevent adhesion issues. - **Avoid fonts with sharp edges (e.g., Serif fonts)**, as they may not print cleanly. 📏 **Minimum Requirements for Text & Lines:** - **Font size:** At least **4pt** (Arial or similar). - **For small logos with text:** Font size must be **4pt or larger** (e.g., copyright symbols). - **Line thickness:** At least **0.5pt** to ensure clarity. 💡 **Pro Tip:** Double-check your **Spot UV registration** to ensure perfect alignment with your offset printing artwork!