aq coating (aqueous)
Also known as: aqueous coating · AQ finish
AQ is a water-based, food-safe protective coating sprayed over print after press. It adds a subtle gloss or matte finish, protects against scuffing, and dries fast.
It's the most common coating on US printed products because it's cheap, fast, FDA-approved (so it's safe on packaging that touches food), and protects ink without changing colour significantly. Gloss AQ is more reflective than no-coating; matte AQ is similar but with a soft sheen. Compared to UV coating, AQ is less glossy and offers less protection — but it's gentler on the planet and doesn't add a noticeable layer of thickness.