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A
coating, such as aqueous or varnish, can improve the look of a
printed project, protect it, and nowadays can be economically
applied in one sheet-pass through the press without drying
problems.
Coating
that is applied while the job is running (in-line) is generally
cheaper because it doesn’t require a separate clean-up or
make-ready. Aqueous coating can be run in-line on our six-color
Heidelberg Speedmaster. This means you can print up to six colors
plus the aqueous coating in one pass through the press (saving you
the cost of an additional press run).
Any
project can be coated, however, there may be times when it may be
more beneficial to choose an aqueous coating over varnish. Aqueous
coating can be an economical alternative to varnish and, in some
cases, can offer some clear advantages, such as higher abrasion
resistance, less yellowing with age, and faster drying.
Some
typical projects requiring an aqueous coating include art posters,
art prints, annual reports, book covers, high-quality print
advertising, and picture postcards.
There
are several considerations a printer must keep in mind when
coating a project, such as inks and paper stock. Always consult
with your printer to choose the coating option most appropriate
for your project. If you are considering aqueous coating for an
upcoming project, our staff is always available to answer
questions and offer samples and suggestions.
Aqueous
FAQ
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What
is aqueous coating?
An aqueous coating is a fast-drying, water-based,
protective coating which is applied in-line on press to
achieve a variety of finishes at a more economical price
than varnish.
What
finishes can be produced with an aqueous coating?
A variety of finishes can be produced in a flood coating,
as follows:
- High
Gloss Coating is the glossiest finish but can coat
only one side of the sheet.
- Regular
Gloss Coating produces a shinier finish than a gloss
varnish, but not as glossy as High Gloss. The
advantage is that you can coat both sides of the
sheet.
- Matte
Coating is a flat coating used to lower the gloss of a
coated paper.
When
should I use an aqueous coating?
Below is a list of typical situations requiring an aqueous
coating:
- Your
printed piece will be heavily handled. Aqueous
coatings will protect your project by providing more
scuff resistance than varnishes and still yield
brilliant metallic inks. In addition, aqueous coatings
won’t yellow with age, as varnishes do.
- Your
deadline was yesterday. Applying a flood aqueous
coating in a job printed on two sides is more time
efficient because it is fast drying. There is no
drying time required between coating the first and
second side. Your job can be handled immediately, even
in the bindery.
- When
a No. 2 paper doesn’t cut the mustard. Aqueous
coatings can enhance lesser grade papers by yielding a
glossier and smoother finish. A big advantage of
aqueous is that it requires only minimal amounts of
powder, which yields a better gloss than varnish.
- Your
printing budget was reduced. Aqueous coating is the
least expensive coating option. On YORK’s six-color
Heidelberg, aqueous coating can be run in-line, which
means you can print up to six colors plus the aqueous
coat-coating in one sheet-pass.
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