Print finishing options explained: UV, lamination, foil, embossing, spot UV

Print finishing is the layer of process between "printed ink" and "final product." Most customers don't know the difference between UV coating, lamination, foil, and embossing. Here is what each one buys you.

UV coating (gloss or matte)

A thin clear layer applied over the entire printed surface. Cures under UV light.

**Pros:** Cheapest finishing option. Adds slight shine (gloss UV) or removes shine (matte UV). Light scratch protection. Standard inclusion on most products.

**Cons:** Doesn't significantly protect against water, scratching, or bending. Both sides can be UV-coated (usually noted as "UV both sides" or 4/4 UV).

**Cost:** Typically included in the product price. Pick gloss or matte as a free option in the configurator.

Aqueous coating (AQ)

Water-based clear coating. Similar to UV but more eco-friendly, used on food-adjacent print (menus, food packaging).

**Pros:** Water-based, food-safe. Slight shine and protection.

**Cons:** Less durable than UV. More common as an "available" option than "default."

**Cost:** Usually included or +$0.01-0.03 per piece.

Lamination (gloss, matte, soft-touch)

A clear plastic film bonded to the printed surface. Adds substantial thickness and protection.

**Gloss laminate:** Shiny, scratch-resistant, water-resistant. Doubles the lifespan of menus, ID cards, signs.

**Matte laminate:** Same protection as gloss but no shine. More upscale appearance. Reads as professional/luxury.

**Soft-touch laminate (also "Velvet Soft-Touch", "Velvet Laminate"):** Premium velvet-like feel. Very upscale. Used on luxury business cards (Suede line), gift cards, premium menus.

**Cost:** +$0.05-0.15 per piece depending on stock.

Spot UV (raised + glossy on specific areas)

A thick UV coating applied ONLY to specific elements of the design (a logo, an icon, a tagline). The rest of the card stays matte or uncoated. Creates a tactile + visual contrast.

**Pros:** Premium look without going full-luxury. Highlights your logo or key element. Trendy in design industry.

**Cons:** Adds a setup fee for the spot UV plate. Best when you have a single high-contrast element to highlight.

**Cost:** +$0.10-0.30 per piece plus $25-75 one-time setup.

Foil (gold, silver, holographic, copper)

Real metallic foil pressed into the paper. Reflects light, no ink-printed alternative looks the same.

**Pros:** Most premium visual impact. Looks luxurious from across a room.

**Cons:** Most expensive finishing. Some color/area limits per piece.

**Cost:** +$0.20-0.60 per piece plus $50-100 one-time setup. Available on most card stocks.

Embossing (raised) and debossing (sunken)

A die presses a 3D pattern into the paper. Embossing pushes up (raised), debossing pushes down (sunken). Pure tactile effect — no ink involved.

**Pros:** Premium tactile signal. Often paired with foil for luxury invitations.

**Cons:** Highest setup cost, slowest turnaround.

**Cost:** +$0.30-0.80 per piece plus $75-200 one-time setup.

Painted edge

The edge of an ultra-thick card stock (32PT typically) is painted in a contrasting color. Visible from any angle.

**Pros:** Distinctive, premium, signals craft.

**Cons:** Only available on 32PT stocks. Color choices limited (typically standard colors: gold, silver, black, navy, red, white).

**Cost:** Standard option on 32PT Painted Edge cards. Adds about 40% to the base 14PT card cost.

Die cutting (custom shapes)

Cutting the printed piece into a non-rectangular shape. Custom dies match your logo silhouette, your bottle profile, or any other shape.

**Pros:** Distinctive shape that gets remembered. Useful for stickers, hang tags, packaging.

**Cons:** Setup fee for the die. Standard shapes (round, oval, rounded rectangle) are free.

**Cost:** +$50-150 one-time setup for custom dies.

How to combine finishing

Multiple finishes can layer:

• **Suede laminate + spot UV:** Velvet card with shiny logo area


• **Painted edge + foil:** Ultra-thick card with metallic accents


• **Foil + emboss:** Raised foil (the most premium textile finish in print)

Total cost adds up, but each layer contributes recognizably. Use for cards you want the recipient to specifically remember.

Order business cards with premium finishes or browse our Painted Edge cards.