Finishes and coatings are specialized post-print processes and embellishments that impact the final look and feel of printed materials such as folding carton packaging, mailers, envelopes, labels, and more. In addition to increasing strength and providing protection against scratches and abrasions, finishes and coatings can also enhance specific design elements, dynamically draw the eye, and provide an appealing tactile experience for consumers.
Our state-of-the-art post-printing capabilities encompass nineteen different finishes and coating options, uniquely equipping us to bring printed products to life with standout depth, texture, and style.
Find out more about each of our quality finishes and coatings below:
Aqueous Gloss
An aqueous finish is a transparent, water-based coating that offers an environmentally-friendly option for protecting and enhancing printed designs. Like other coatings, aqueous finishes can be either glossy or matte.
Aqueous Matte
An aqueous matte coating is a water-based, environmentally-friendly option for finishing printed products with a subtle, satiny sheen that will resist fingerprints and won’t reflect light.
Braille Embossing
Braille embossing is the process of adding characters, words, or information to print products using the braille writing system (a tactile writing system designed for visually-impaired individuals).
Embossing & Debossing
Embossing and debossing are post-print techniques used to physically raise or sink words or design elements into printed products. Customized dies are created to achieve these standout effects.
Foil Paperboard
Foil paperboard is a lamination technique that coats folding carton packaging with a very thin layer of metal foil. Often used in premium packaging, it has a visually stunning effect that also increases scratch and moisture resistance as well as durability.
Glitter Coating
Achieved by adding glitter particles to a gloss spot UV coating, glitter coatings are available in a wide spectrum of colours and are often used to highlight details on print materials.
Grit Coating
Grit coatings create a coarse tactile finish that is texturally unique. Similar to sandpaper, but less abrasive, a grit coating can be useful for creating non-slip print materials as well as enhancing specific design elements.
Hot Foil Stamping
Hot foil stamping is a post-print process that involves using heat and pressure to apply metallic foil to printed materials. Elegant and luxurious, hot foil stamping is often used to add an element of distinction to high-end printed products.
Metallic Sheen Coating
Providing a high-end feel to packaging, metallic sheen coatings can be applied on their own for a bold, metallic effect or in combination with a base colour to increase warmth and subtlety.
Pearlescent Coating
A pearlescent coating adds a uniquely iridescent finish to printed products that create a pearly, high-value effect. This coating technique can be applied to specific design elements or to an entire surface as a whole.
QR Codes
In the digital age, including QR codes—square-shaped matrix barcodes that store information to be read by digital devices—on print products can be a game changer. Our machinery is up to the task!
Raised UV Coating
A raised UV coating is a finishing technique that creates depth and texture by using a layer of clear gloss to raise specific design elements on the packaging. A raised UV coating can help print materials stand out!
Reticulation Effect
Reticulation is a finishing option that combines spot varnish with an overall UV coating to create a raised and textured effect. Reticulation can add depth, dimension, and tactile intrigue to folding carton packaging of all kinds.
Soft Touch Coating
A soft touch coating is applied post-printing to give printed materials a soft and silky feel. In addition to locking in colour vibrancy, it also offers protection against scratches, scuffs, and fingerprints.
UV High-Gloss
UV coatings are applied to printed materials and then exposed to UV light, which dries and hardens them to create a strong and attractive finish. High-gloss UV coatings are shiny and reflective, ideal for helping high-contrast designs stand out.
UV Matte
Like other UV coatings, matte UV finishes are dried under UV light to create a strong and attractive finish. Matte coatings provide a less glossy finishing alternative that resists fingerprints and doesn’t reflect light.
UV Spot
Spot UV coatings are applied to a specific portion of printed products to make certain elements, such as words, images, or logos, shine and stand out. UV spot coating often creates a high-end or luxury look and feel.
Window Patch
A window patch is created when a thin layer of plastic film is applied to a custom die-cut window in order to allow consumers to get a glimpse of what is inside. This technique is often used for high-end product packaging, but can also be used in a wide variety of other circumstances.