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Cover
Coatings
Laminating:
Gloss or Matte
First
of all, laminating your cover is good for you. Ink on paper can and
will scratch. Even just holding your book in your hand will show wear
over time. Now a new issue, which laminate should you
choose—Gloss or Matte. There is, or can be, a difference in
price, but for now let the issue be functionality, look and feel. As
always it’s ultimately the customer’s choice. We will
encourage a specific direction based on experience we’ve had,
BUT it is the customer’s choice. (Ah, the little disclaimer. . .)
OK,
having said that, here are a few things we’ve discovered and
some basic differences. In the functionality department; Gloss UV or
Laminate is the most commonly requested. Gloss usually intensifies
colors—blacks blacker, etc. Matte Lam will soften
colors—killing some darker colors, turning solid black to a charcoal
gray. Gloss is more scratch resistant (fingernail test). Matte will
scratch with your fingernail. (Help, Matte isn’t looking very
good here.)
In
the Look and Feel Department; Matte Lam is soft. When you hold it in
your hand, it has a soft, fuzzy feel. I remember one cover that had a
meadow with a small log farmhouse. It was an early spring morning
shot with a light mist covering the valley. That cover had Matte
Laminated and you could “feel” the mist. Absolutely the
best choice for that cover. I know it sounds crazy, but it would have
been a different look and feel with gloss. The gentle light mist
would have turned to a thick cold fog. I did another cover with the
sun setting over the still ocean. That cover needed the gloss to help
the still water reflect. Whichever you choose, either coating
protects against normal wear, dust and moisture (don’t submerge
your book in water).
So
when does function win over fashion. It’s a customer choice
thing. We hope to help you all we can in that decision. Can I see my
cover with a sample of each? If you are undecided and your artwork is
a “borderline” design (our call) which could be affected by
the wrong coating, then maybe. There may be an additional set-up cost
associated with this. (Another little disclaimer; we do not offer
this test as part of a regular job. Suggested only if the cover is a
borderline design.) Our goal is to have you with the cover you
love—so you’ll tell your friends and come back.
UV
Coating: Gloss
This
option is cheaper. I don't recommend the Dull UV. Just my opinion,
but I prefer the Gloss UV. So if the Dull or Matte is your choice,
then we'll do Matte Laminate.
UV
is a liquid, put on with rollers that is UV light sensitive and
cures when exposed to the UV. (Been to the dentist when he sticks a
purple light in your mouth?) It isn't an ink that needs to dry, but
cured hard with Ultra Violet light rays. Always ask that the table is
a "long-cure table" and not a short table. We've had
problems when the unit has a short cure table.
UV
coating like Laminate can scratch when shipped. Always ask for
bundle shrink wrapping when shipping. You pay a little more, but the
books won't scratch en route.
Disclaimer: Not
responsible for advice, ideas, suggestions and/or
programs. By
mentioning these programs or any other program, I’m in no way
endorsing these or any other programs for you and/or your project.
Any advice, ideas or suggestions and/or programs mentioned are
considered my opinion only and am considered not liable. Not
responsible for sales or lack of sales of your project.
Brian@SunriseBooks.com
SunrisePublishing@gmail.com |
