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August 2008 - The Four Horsemen of Coatings and Protection

Protect your fine printed pieces from scratches, scuffs and other abrasions.  These
can mar an otherwise beautiful project and may prevent users from enjoying or
even using the piece. At Delta Printing Solutions, we offer four coating options.

 

The Pony: Varnish
Cost effective varnish is the first line of defense.  While varnish does offer some measure of protection, this press-applied coating is mainly used to “set” inks and allow projects to be printed at higher speeds. If a varnished piece is to be folded after printing, varnish build-up can occur on fold rollers, slowing down
production rates.

The Pinto: Aqueous Coating
Like varnish, aqueous coating is applied inline during printing. While tougher and
more noticeable than varnish, there are still two higher quality protection
options available.

The Mustang: UV Coating
UV coating is much harder and longer lasting than either aqueous coating or
varnish. There are several available UV coating finishes, including matte,
satin and gloss varieties. Gloss UV coatings give pieces a “wet” look that
makes colors appear to leap from the page, while matte UV coatings
offer a more subtle, but extremely readable appearance. Satin UV has
a very elegant look. For projects that call for a more distinctive finish,
additional ingredients can be mixed into the UV coating to alter the
surface of the coated piece. Glitter and tints can dress up UV coating
and create a beautiful result.

 

The Thoroughbred: Film Lamination
Film laminating offers the ultimate in protection, durability and
weather-resistance, making it the coating of choice for projects that will withstand heavy use or must have a long shelf life. Laminating films are available in a variety of finishes, including matte, gloss and specialty textures such as linen. While laminating projects should be produced on paper stocks of at least 80 lb. text weight, we may be able to work with thinner stocks for some applications. Film laminates come in a variety of thicknesses, suitable for any project. Polypropylene film laminates are pliable, but soft. Polyester film is tough. Nylon lies flat and gluable laminates can be foil stamped and glued.

The Delta Printing Solutions Advantage
Delta Printing Solutions has been committed to meeting the needs of customers for more than fifty years. Located in Los Angeles County, Delta Printing Solutions is the largest independent provider of books, manuals, catalogs, journals and directories in the Western United States. The company offers superior prepress, printing, finishing and binding services with state-of-the-art technology and craftsmanship.

 

 

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