Many clients don’t realize just how many options they have when it comes to printing. The possibilities are virtually limitless when you choose a company that has advanced printing equipment and a skilled printing team. One way to create more memorable and unique effects is to use and combine different varnishes and coatings.

The term varnish also refers to an overcoating applied to a printed piece following printing, performed on or off the press. Varnish is typically added to a finished printed piece either for aesthetic reasons (i.e., to increase gloss and provide a better overall look) or to protect the printing from wear and tear due to handling or contact with moisture or chemicals.

Varnish that is applied to an entire printed surface after printing is called overprint varnish; varnish that is applied only to certain portions of a printed surface, primarily for aesthetic reasons (as on book covers) is called spot varnish. If the varnish is added as an overcoating after printing, it is important to ensure that the formulation of the varnish is compatible with that of the ink, or bleeding and other printing defects can occur.