Contextual research.
What is the purpose of print coating?
Print coatings are used on printed products primarily for protection or to achieve certain visual effects. Coatings can provide protection from moisture, scuffing, scratching and finger prints. They can also be applied to one or both sides of a printed piece to create a glossy or dull finish or can be applied selectively to highlight a certain visual element. Source
There are 4 different types of print coating:
Aqueous Coating
Aqueous coating is a clear, fast-drying water-based coating that is used to protect printed pieces. It provides a high-gloss or matte surface that deters dirt and fingerprints. Aqueous coating improves the durability of postcards and other mailed pieces as they go through the mail, and protects business cards as they ride around in people's wallets. It also looks beautiful on brochures, catalog covers, and presentation folders. Aqueous coatings provide more substantial scuff-resistance than varnishes. Aqueous is typically applied to the entire printed piece, usually by the last unit on a printing press. Due to its water base, aqueous coating is more environmentally friendly than varnish or UV coatings. Source
Best for protecting work and resisting the natural elements that come with design being passed around and damaged. Protects a piece from effects such as dirt and fingerprints. It is an ehtical choice as it is more environmentally friendly than other processes such as varnish and uv coating.
Varnish
Varnish is basically clear ink and can be gloss, satin or matte. A flood varnish covers the entire printed page for protection or sheen. A spot varnish allows you to highlight specific areas of a printed piece and adds shine and depth to specific elements on the page such as a logo or image. Varnishes are also applied on-press, but they are heavier-bodied and can be applied (like inks) to only certain areas (spot varnish). A plate must be created to apply a spot varnish, so artwork is necessary.
Must have a plate created in order to apply a spot varnish and for this reason you must produce an artwork. Varnish can be applied to specific areas or flooded over the whole piece. It can be applied alone to a piece to create an effect or over design.
UV coating
UV coatings are cured by exposure to ultraviolet light to quickly dry and harden the coating. UV coatings provide the highest gloss versus other coatings but may crack when scored or folded due to the thickness and hardness of the coating. Some find it too shiny for some uses. UV coatings can be applied as a flood (covering the entire printed sheet) or as a spot coating and can be applied on or off press. UV compatible inks must be used on sheets that will be UV coated. UV coated sheets can not be foil stamped and embossing should be done after the coating.
Uv coatings are dried via the use of a uv light in which the coating hardens. A uv coating provides the highest density of of glass versus others however it has other downfalls. Because the solution of a uv coating is thick compared to others, it could break down and crack, for example folding a business card could cause the UV coating to break apart. If you are wanting to combine processes such as foiling or embossing, these must be applied after the coating as a pose to before.Soft Touch® Coating
This coating creates a velvety texture. The paper becomes "soft" to the touch and increases the tactile appeal. It creates a softer look and feel on printed materials than either aqueous or UV coating, while creating a barrier which is fingerprint resistant. It dries fast, is non-yellowing, and is eco-friendly. Luxurious and sophisticated are words often used to describe the effect Soft Touch® coating produces.This type of coating might be found on higher end work with a more affluential audience, the coating creates a velvety appeal, as if it is 'soft' to the touch.
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