What is Spot UV and When Should Product Manufacturers Consider it for Packaging and Labels?

Ever noticed how labels for premium products have some elements with a distinct, glossy texture? This is thanks to spot UV, also known as spot gloss or spot varnish, which adds a thick varnish to certain areas of the label.

From beauty and wellness brands to wineries, distilleries and breweries, companies are using spot UV to give their products a unique or high-end look. We’ll discuss spot UV technology, why you should consider using it for labels, where you can add spot UV, and different label materials this technique is compatible with. 

What is Spot UV? 

When you use spot UV for product labels, you’re applying a UV coating to a certain area of a printed label instead of covering the entire surface. As the stock of labels goes through the printing press, rollers cover a board with UV coating. Then, the machine spreads a UV varnish over a cut template. This is a thin film that’s positioned over the label to make sure that only specific design elements are coated.

This technique is different from UV lamination because it doesn’t cover the entire label, just certain elements. 

Why Consider Spot UV Labels 

Gives Products a Premium Look 

A major reason why brands prefer getting spot UV labels is that it gives their products a sophisticated look. By giving your packaging a sleek and polished appearance, it increases the perceived value of your brand.

A study in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science even found that consumers associate luxury packaging with superior product quality and are willing to pay a premium for such products.

Improves Durability 

Spot UV adds a UV coating over key visuals, making them resistant to scratching and fading. This ensures that important parts of the label, like your brand, logo, and product’s name, will remain intact.

Provides a Tactile Experience

With spot UV, you get a raised, smooth texture on some elements, creating a contrast with the rest of the label. This doesn’t just make the label visually attractive, but gives the customer a tactile experience, too. 

In another study, it was found that products that are “aesthetically pleasing through touch” (for example, through spot UV), help build stronger emotional connections and consumer loyalty. Techniques like spot UV can help consumers differentiate your product from the others on the shelf.

Where To Add Spot UV to Labels 

You can use spot UV on just about any part of the label, but it’s most commonly used here:

• Logos, to help draw attention to your brand identity 
• Brand name
• Borders or frames, which give the label a polished look 
• Product features or key ingredients
• Elements or entire images
• QR codes or other promotional elements

Spot UV is Compatible With The Following Materials 

Spot UV is a versatile finishing technique for labels and can be used with the following types of materials: 

• Paper Labels: Matte or glossy paper are the best choices for spot UV labels because they allow precise application and adhesion of the UV coating. 
• Film Labels (BOPP or PET): Spot UV adheres nicely to smooth plastic surfaces like BOPP and PET labels. This makes them well-suited to durable labels, particularly for products exposed to moisture-prone environments. 
• Vinyl Labels: You can also apply spot UV to vinyl labels, which are commonly used for their waterproof qualities.

Some surfaces aren’t very compatible with spot UV finishing, like uncoated paper, textured paper, and fabric-based labels. To learn more about compatibility with your product label, we recommend speaking with our experts at Blue Label Packaging. 

Preparing Label Artwork For Spot UV 

Here’s how to set up your artwork before sending designs to the printer: 

• Artwork is typically created using software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
• Open the artwork in a new file and isolate the elements that will have spot UV printing into a separate file or layer. Design elements that won’t have special effects should be in another file or layer.
• Elements that will have a spot UV effect need a spot color. This can be cyan, black, or magenta.
• Label each file for your printer clearly so they know which elements need special effects. You should also send them the final rendering so they know what you’re expecting from the final product.
• Make sure the final design is saved in an Adobe Illustrator or high-resolution PDF file format. 

Get Spot UV Labels For Your Products 

Spot UV labels can give your product a premium and luxurious appearance. It’s particularly useful for products that come in bottles, making them a great choice for beer, wine, and liquor labels.

At Blue Label Packaging, we specialize in creating unique effects for your product label and packaging. Get in touch with us today to request a quote on our spot UV labels.