Articles Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily | Business Cards

Spot UV business cards have absolutely become fashionable in the past few years, adding dramatic popularity over that time.

The idea is simple but clever and allows for vast possibilities - most of which are attention grabbing and unique.

What is Spot UV?

You've undoubtedly come across matte business cards.

You have surely come across glossy business cards.

Well, spot UV cards are a combination of the two.

Instead of putting on a gloss (AKA UV) coating over the entire card, it is is simply applied in set places, as set by the designer.

regularly, it is applied to the company name, logo, or other definiting graphical element. Other times it is applied in a varying pattern (like fleur de lis, stripes, little circles, plaid, rotating outward in a spiral, etc.).

The options are endless.

The gloss can be applied to both the front and rear of your business card. It can often be printed on different card stocks such as matte, silk business cards, and more.

Benefits of Spot UV Printing

For starters, it's impossible to ignore. It provides both a visual and textural experience distinctive from other card varieties. Its closest example is probably foil business cards, in which foil is similarly applied to select elements in the card for visual and textural effect.

Spot gloss is a leading choice for designers due to its visual appeal and invitation for creativity.

Recipients are likely to be wowed as well, creating a lasting impression.

How Do You Create a Spot UV Business Card?

Setting up a spot gloss business card is not overly difficult. In fact, the process is just like other card designs - but with one extra step.

For instance: a typical business card calls for the the buyer to upload just one design file (for each side of the business card). This file shows the design that will be printed on the card.

With spot UV business cards, this very same file is used. But in addition, you need to present a mask file. A mask file is merely another file indicating where the UV coating should be applied.

A mask file is black and white. That's always the case. For a full color card as well. Wherever there is black, the uv coating will be added. Wherever it's white, no UV is applied.

In other words, anything in the original design that that is to remain matte is removed from the mask file. So, if you're applying UV to your logo, but not to your contact info, your mask file contains just your logo in 100% black.