07 Jun ‘Drip off’ coating alternative – cost saving advantages

It is well documented that some of the most costly print processes involve laminating and varnishing, which for some buyers has become a bit of a ‘luxury’. We’ve recently developed and perfected the use of a product which goes a long way to replicating the effect of matt lamination with a spot U.V. varnish – in other words an alternative to the high gloss highlighting process.

Environmental benefits

The essential difference is that ‘drip off’ coating, as it is termed, is a fraction of the price and is also water based, making this a much more ‘green’ process – spot U.V. varnish is particularly ‘unfriendly’ from an environmental perspective.

The cosmetic effects of ‘drip off’ coating are much the same in that when applied against a matt varnish the result is an overall matt finish with a highlighted high gloss feature. Whilst the gloss finish is visually not quite as high a gloss as U.V. varnish, it is very close and very effective for the price.

One pass, all in-house

Spot U.V. is a specialist process and therefore work of this nature would normally be outsourced, however with ‘drip-off’ coating, this is achieved totally in-house, in one pass on our 5-colour press with minimal waste, which further enhances the cost saving advantage.

No compromise

This means that coupled with printing using vegetable based inks, the use of a drip-off coating does not compromise an environmentally friendly product and has massive cost saving advantages. Also producing artwork for this process is a doddle.

…And of course for us it’s cleaner and safer to use!

Further information