The word spot causes most of the confusion here. In spot UV it means selective: the coating goes only on the spots you choose, such as a logo or a product name. It has nothing to do with spot colors, which are premixed inks. A box can use spot colors, spot UV, both or neither.
How spot UV works
A liquid coating that hardens under ultraviolet light is laid down only where your artwork says it should go, usually by screen printing or a dedicated coating unit. The sheet passes under UV lamps and the coating cures in moments into a hard, glossy layer that sits slightly above the surface. Digital embellishment presses can build the coating up thicker for a more raised, tactile effect.
Why it is usually paired with matte
Spot UV works by contrast. Glossy coating on a glossy surface barely shows. Glossy coating on a soft matte laminate catches the light and stands out, which is why the classic combination is matte lamination overall with spot UV on the logo. On uncoated board such as natural kraft, the coating soaks in and the effect is weak, so spot UV is normally specified on laminated or coated stock.
Spot UV, foil and embossing compared
| Finish | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spot UV | Adds clear gloss and a slight raise to chosen areas | Logos, patterns and type on matte boxes |
| Foil stamping | Transfers metallic or colored foil with heat and pressure | Metallic logos and premium accents |
| Embossing | Presses the board itself into a raised shape | Texture you can feel, with or without ink |
They combine well. A foil logo with spot UV on a pattern behind it, on a matte base, is a common premium recipe.
Setting up spot UV artwork
- Supply the coated areas on their own separate layer, named clearly, as solid shapes.
- Build those shapes from the same vector paths as the artwork they cover, so they line up.
- Avoid very fine lines and tiny type in the coating layer. Coating and print are separate passes, so the finest detail is where any slight misalignment shows.
- Keep the coating away from folds and glue areas, where it can crack or stop the glue from holding.
The iBox spot UV boxes page covers file setup in more detail, including why the coated areas go on their own named layer rather than being applied as an image effect.
iBox products that offer spot UV
- Custom gift gable boxes: spot UV is a listed add-on with handle, window, insert and ribbon.
- Custom printed paper bags: spot UV over specific print elements is listed with foiling, handles and gussets.
- Custom waffle boxes: spot UV appears among the add-ons with embossing and debossing.
Related terms
- What is a spot color: the ink term that gets confused with spot UV.
- What is foil stamping: the metallic finish often paired with it.
- What is bleed in packaging: how print, unlike coating, runs past the cut.
FAQ
Does spot UV scratch?
The cured coating is hard, but the surface around it matters. A laminated base protects the print between the coated areas.
Can spot UV go on a whole box?
Coating the entire surface is called a flood coat, not spot UV. If you want everything glossy, ask for a gloss finish instead.
Adding spot UV to an iBox order
Name the finish on the quote and send the coating layer with your artwork. Design support can prepare the layer if you only have a flat logo file. The minimum is 100 boxes per design, the die and plates and US shipping are free, and the digital proof marks the coated areas before production. Start on the quote form.
