Varnish Finishes for Retail Packaging and Shopping Bags

Varnish will leave your bag with a beautiful finish as well as add some protection to the printed image. Contact a Modern Arts Packaging Specialist for samples of different varnishes.

Ultra Violet (UV) Varnish is an extremely high gloss varnish that rivals lamination without an extra step in the process.

  • Applied while printing
  • Available on all substrates
  • Primers are necessary for uncoated papers
  • Can be 100% overprint or a design spot print
  • Can be applied only in preprint (not tail end)

High Gloss Varnish is a high gloss varnish that is overprinted on clay coat paper.

  • Can be preprinted or tail printed

Matte Varnish is a satin finish varnish that is overprinted (mostly on clay coat paper) to mask the inherent gloss characteristics of the inks.

  • Can be printed on both clay coat and uncoated paper
  • Can be preprinted or tail printed

Standard Overprint Varnish provides color enhancement and depth of color and is used mainly when ink rub protection is needed.

  • Overprinted on uncoated paper stocks (Kraft, White, Flipside, and Oatmeal)
  • Improves metallic ink brightness and printability
  • Can be preprinted or tail printed

Gray tinted varnish, generally light, is used to print a vertical mirage stripe pattern. These stripes create the illusion of an embossed pattern.

  • Can be preprinted or tail printed

White Tinted Varnish is printed in many different patterns and graphic themes. It typically overprints other colors in order to simulate screens/tone-on-tone effects.

  • Can intersect with white reverse in artwork without the need for mortise

Cost Drivers

The Cost Drivers for varnish options are as follows; for each list, the bulleted items are in order, beginning with the most economical option:
Varnishes (uncoated papers)

  • Standard Overprint Varnish
  • High Gloss Varnish
  • Matte Varnish
  • Gloss UV Varnish

Varnishes (coated papers)

  • High Gloss Varnish
  • Matte Varnish
  • Pearlized Varnish
  • Gloss UV Varnish
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