uv coating
Also known as: UV gloss · high-gloss UV
UV coating is a liquid plastic-like coating applied over print, then instantly cured (hardened) under ultraviolet light. It produces a hard, very glossy, scratch-resistant surface.
Much higher gloss and protection than AQ. Common on business cards, postcards, and packaging where durability and shine matter. The downside: high-gloss UV reflects so much light that fine text can be hard to read at an angle, and the coating adds a slight thickness that can crack on heavy folds. For folded brochures, score-and-fold lines need to be planned around UV coverage.