UV Coating vs Lamination: What Is the Difference?
Quick answer: UV coating and lamination both protect printed cards and brochures. Learn how they differ, and when to choose shine or matt. Based in Karachi, Pakistan - delivered worldwide.
Both UV coating and lamination protect a printed piece and change how it looks and feels. They are applied differently, so each suits different jobs.
Lamination
Lamination bonds a thin plastic film to the printed sheet. It adds strength, protects against scuffs and moisture, and can be shine (gloss) or matt.
Shine lamination makes colours look vivid and reflective. Matt lamination gives a smooth, modern, low-glare surface that resists fingerprints.
UV coating
UV coating is a liquid applied to the print and cured with ultraviolet light into a hard, glossy layer. It can cover the whole sheet, or be applied to selected areas only - called spot UV - such as a logo or a heading, so that area stands out against a matt background.
Which should you choose?
For visiting cards that will be handled often, lamination gives extra protection. For a premium look with contrast, a matt card with spot UV on the logo is a popular combination. For brochures, covers are often laminated to protect them from handling.
Tell us the look you want and we will recommend the finish.
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