Selective varnish: complete guide to the top-of-the-range finish

A training manager at a large industrial group contacted us in spring with an unusual brief: a cohesion game for the 800 employees of a new subsidiary, to give out at the onboarding seminar. "The print budget is tight, but I want the box to look like an object, not a teaching kit." The discussion crystallised on one question: where do we put the single premium lever we could afford? No hot foil stamping (die too costly for the run), no embossing (area too large). The answer came in one word: selective varnish. Logo + title of the game on matt film-coated background. Light tooling cost, maximum visual impact. User feedbacks have spoken of "kit that keeps, not that throws itself." This guide explains why this finish concentrates so much visual signal, how to calibrate it, and where it stops.

THE selective varnish The guide is designed to give the reference points that allow the specification of an effective selective varnish, without unnecessary extra costs.

Definition and principle of selective varnish

Selective varnish refers to the application of a transparent varnish on a precisely defined area of a print, as opposed to a varnish that covers the whole surface (full-page varnish or film coating). selective : choose where the varnish is deposited, usually to create a contrast with the rest of the support.

Technically, the varnish used is a liquid acrylic resin, deposited via a screen or flexographic process (see our Glossary page flexographyThis UV polymerization gives the varnish its stability, transparency and resistance over time. Once dry, the varnish forms a clear, fine layer (8-15 microns standard) or thick (up to 100 microns 3D varnish).

The effect is double. Visual : the glossy varnished area hangs light differently from the matte background, creating an immediate hierarchy in the visual. Tactile The finger that passes on the surface feels a variation - smooth-smooth, or smooth-rugged depending on the type of varnish. This double signature distinguishes the selective varnish from all other techniques of graphic enhancement. More general context on the techniques of our know-how and our print works.

Selective varnish vs. full-page varnish

To understand the selective varnish, it is necessary to situate it in relation to its cousin the full-page varnish.

The full page varnish The ink is protected from friction, UV, moisture and aesthetic (uniformizes the print rendering). It can be shiny, satin or matt. On most standard play boxes, it is the matt or glossy full-page varnish that is applied by default.

Selective varnish, he has no protective vocation : he is more The contrast it creates makes its value. Without contrast, no interesting selective varnishes - this is why it almost always combines with a matt or matt coated film-coated background. See our page coated paper for compatible supports.

A useful metaphor: the full-page varnish is the equivalent of a uniform nail polish. Selective varnish is the equivalent of a French manicure - a local effect that draws an area and creates visual relief without changing the color. And for individuals, this is exactly what transforms a gift game box (marriage, birthday, family event) into an object that keeps itself - see our guide to custom wedding games.

The 3 types of selective varnishes: gloss, matt, 3D

The selective varnish family is divided into three subfamilies, each with its own rendering.

Selective gloss varnish (standard)

The historical reference. Fine layer (8-15 microns), perfectly transparent, glossy mirror finish. On a matt background, the effect is maximum: the varnished area reflects light, the rest of the support absorbs it. Moderate cost, immediate drying under UV lamps. Compatible with most smooth supports (coated paper, film-coated cardboard). This is the default choice when it is called "selective varnish" without specifying.

Selective matt varnish (the subtle)

More discreet variant: the applied varnish is non-glossy, with a slight texture effect. The contrast no longer plays gloss-vs-matt (since everything is matt) but smooth-vs-textured: the varnished area is slightly rough to the touch, almost imperceptible visually but very perceptible tactilely. Used for very pared-back brands wanting to avoid the gloss effect associated with flashiness. Rarer, sharper, requires a very careful background to work.

3D Selective Finish (the spectacular)

High-end variant of glossy varnish. The deposit thickness rises to 50-100 microns instead of 8-15. The result is real relief visible to the naked eye, standing out from the surface like a crystal layer. Striking effect on logos, titles, key illustrations. Requires several successive passes under UV lamp to stack layers. 3D varnish is the process of choice for very high-end editions, limited editions, luxury gift boxes. Further details in our gloss page 3D varnish.

Compatibility with other finishes

Selective varnish is inserted into a chain of finishes. The order of passages determines what is possible.

With the filming. Film coating (polypropylene film coating on the printed surface) applies before Selective varnish. It is even the reference combination: matt coating on the whole surface, then selective varnish gloss on the area to be valued. The coating plays three roles: it offers a perfect matte background, it protects the support and it improves the adhesion of the varnish. See our lamination page.

With hot foil stamping. Combinable, but order counts. Hot marking applies after Selective varnish. If the varnish is reversed, it tends to alter the shine of the metal film. A common combination: logo in hot gold marking on matt film-coated background, with selective glossy varnish in decorative frame around the logo. The complete guide is here: Hot Marking: Full Premium Printing Guide.

With embossing/ embossing. THE embossing Or. embossing is generally applied last - it physically distorts the support and everything that is placed on it follows the movement. Possible to emboss an area that has also been selectively varnished ("wrap varnish"), to combine tactile relief and shine.

With screen printing. Possible but rarely necessary. screen printing deposits a thick ink and the selective varnish already plays with the relief - combine the two blurs the signals. See our comparison screen printing vs hot foil stamping for a game.

With edge gilding. Compatible. The gilding slice is placed on the cut and does not conflict with a selective varnish on the sides.

Game uses: two-piece box, rules cover, premium cards

On a corporate board game, three locations focus on the effective uses of selective varnish.

The lift-off box. It's the main theatre. lift-off box page and our lift-off box vs drawer box vs sleeve comparison. Selective varnish typically applies to the title of the game and the logo of the publisher (main area of the lid), central illustrations (persons, tray evoked, decoration), decorative frames and frames, certain recurrent motifs on the slice (more about our see the publisher's guide) The background remains matt film-coated to maximize contrast. personalized game boxes page details the compatible formats.

The cover of the rule book. The rule book is often treated as a poor parent - folded sheet, standard printing, full-page varnish. Passing it in selective varnish on the cover (title, logo, graphic pattern) immediately indicates that the game is treated as an object and not as a consumable. printed game rules and the definition of the rule book.

Premium cards. On custom playing cards In premium edition, selective varnish can be applied on the back (recurring glossy varnish pattern on matt background - "luxury card back" effect) or on the front (key character illustration). It is less common than on boxes, but formidable to differentiate a collector edition or a high-end corporate gift game. See our guide to making playing cards.

Cases and packaging. A flip case receiving a card set, a gift box for large accounts, or an event kit: the selective varnish on the title of the game and a decorative pattern creates a jeweler effect without any additional cost of major tools. See also our article high-end corporate gift box.

Technical constraints: thickness, reserve area, rendering

Four constraints structure a project including selective varnish.

Minimum fineness of the lines. In standard selective varnishes, the lines below 0.3 millimetres close and lose their definition. In thick 3D varnishes, the minimum fineness goes back to 0.5 mm. For texts, the business rule: 7 minimum typographical points in standard varnishes, 9 points in 3D varnishes. Below, the result is unpredictable.

Folding reserve areas. The varnish does not support sharp folds. Provide a reserve area of about 3 mm around the folded edges (two-piece box hinges, folds of the case). Unreservedly, the varnish cracks in the fold, creating a visual defect and a mechanical weakness. See our page corners rounded for cutting choices.

Smooth support surface. The varnish follows the topography of the support. On textured paper (marteled, varnished, fibrated), the deposit is irregular and the rendering disappointing. For a net selective varnish, require a smooth - coated or film-coated support on the area to be varnished. compact cardboard page and our article cost structure of a custom game details these choices.

Order of passage of finishes. As mentioned above, the order is: print → filming → selective varnish → hot marking → embossing / cutting. Inverting a link in the chain degrades the rendering. Specify explicitly the sequence in the technical brief. model specification set of company offers a canvas to be taken over.

Selective varnishes vs embossing vs hot marking (table)

To situate the selective varnish in the premium finish palette, here is the synthetic comparison of the three nearby techniques.

The three techniques are often combined on very high-end editions. On tight budgets, selective varnish is often the most effective compromise: high visual impact, controlled tooling cost, wide compatibility with other finishes. The complete detail of the hot marking is in the complete hot foil stamping guide.

How to frame a project with selective varnish

Six elements to be specified to the manufacturer to frame a project including selective varnish.

1. The painted visual. Logo, title, decorative pattern, illustration ? Provide the visual in separate graphic layer (dedicated layer in vector file), with the varnish area clearly defined in black flat (100% K) or dedicated Pantone. No trames or gradients: the selective varnish is binary (finished / not varnished).

2. The type of varnish. Standard gloss (default reference), textured matt (for clean brands) or thick 3D (for very premium editions). The choice determines the final effect, cost and time.

3. The substance. Matte coating strongly recommended to maximize contrast with a glossy varnish. If the bottom remains shiny, provide a thick 3D varnish so that the varnished area stands out tactilely.

4. Any other finishes combined. Filming, hot marking, embossing, gilding slice. Specify the order of passages and possible areas of overlap. good to go for validation.

5. Quantity. The cost of tooling the selective varnish is moderate, but it exists: it gets profitable as the series grows. For very small run (50-100 for example), well evaluate the ratio.

6. The expected rendering. Asking for a physical sample of a similar realization: the perception of the selective varnish on the screen does not tell anything about the actual rendering. case studies page and our galleries give visual references.

A clean framing divides the number of iterations in production by two.board game printer can accompany this framing upstream of the estimate. The details of the process is on our expertise page.