Spot UV — gloss varnish on selected artwork
Spot UV: gloss exactly where you want it.
A clear UV-cured varnish applied to selected areas of the print — a logo, a pattern, a product name — so it catches the light against a matte background. Flat or raised, on cartons, sleeves and litho-laminated corrugated.
- Types
- Flat · raised
- Applied to
- Matte-laminated print
- Effect
- Selective gloss
What spot UV is
Contrast between matte and gloss, in the shape of your artwork.
Spot UV is a clear varnish printed onto specific areas of the sheet and cured instantly under ultraviolet light. Against a matte-laminated background the varnished areas shine, which is why it is used for logos, patterns and product names that should catch the light without a metallic finish. Raised spot UV builds the varnish up so the shape stands proud of the surface as well.
It is the finish for brands that want restraint with a signal in it: a black box with a black gloss logo, a pattern that only appears when the box is tilted, a name that shines on a color field. Artwork is supplied as a separate vector layer.
- Flat spot UVGloss shape
- Raised spot UVGloss + relief
- BaseMatte or soft-touch
Materials & finishing
How spot UV is specified.
Spot UV needs a matte base to contrast against; it disappears on gloss. The varnish layer is supplied as vector artwork.
Materials & finishes- Flat spot UVStandardGloss shape on matte.
- Raised spot UVBuilt upGloss with tactile relief.
- Tone-on-toneBlack on blackGloss logo on matte black.
- PatternAll-overRepeat pattern that catches light.
Combinations
- Spot UV over matte lamination
- Spot UV over soft-touch
- Raised spot UV
- Spot UV + foil
- Tone-on-tone spot UV
- Pattern spot UV
Where spot UV is used
Logos and patterns that catch the light.
Logos
Gloss mark on a matte panel.
Product names
Shade and scent names on beauty cartons.
Patterns
Tone-on-tone repeats across a panel.
Supplement cartons
A gloss mark on a clinical matte box.
Candle boxes
Black-on-black restraint.
Sleeves
Highlights on printed sleeves.
Start a quote
Three answers is all it takes to open a job.
Structure, board and finishing come next — with our team, on the full quote form.
No account needed. Artwork and reference images can be attached on the next step.
Spot UV questions
Before you ask.
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteWhat is the difference between spot UV and gloss lamination?
Gloss lamination covers the whole surface; spot UV is applied only to selected artwork so it contrasts against a matte background.
What is raised spot UV?
A thicker build of varnish so the gloss shape stands proud of the surface — gloss and relief together.
Can spot UV go over soft-touch?
Yes. Gloss on velvet is one of the strongest contrasts available.
How do I supply artwork for spot UV?
As a separate vector layer showing exactly which areas receive varnish, aligned to the print artwork.
Resources
Guides on finishes
Packaging finishes explained: lamination, foil, emboss, spot UV and windows
What each finish does, what it looks like, what it combines with and when to specify it. The short reference for anyone briefing a custom box.
Read the guidePreparing artwork for custom printed boxes
Dielines, bleed, color, resolution and finish layers. What print-ready packaging artwork looks like and how to get there from a logo.
Read the guide
Related packaging
Packaging that uses spot UV.
Start here
Send us your dimensions. We’ll send back a box.
Or talk to a packaging specialist: (209) 444-0744