Spot UV
A clear varnish applied to selected areas and cured hard. The surface stays flat but the treated area is glossy against a matte ground, so a logo appears without any colour being added.
It works best over matte lamination, where the contrast is strongest. Over gloss it is nearly invisible, which is worth knowing before it is specified.
Embossing
A die pushes the material up from behind so the mark stands proud. Unlike deboss, which presses in, embossing raises — and it needs a matching counter-die, which is two tools rather than one.
The material has to be able to stretch. Thin paper embosses well; a thick wrapped hide does not, because the wrap is already glued down over board.
Raised UV and drip-off
A thick clear varnish that builds up enough to be felt, or a textured varnish that mimics a surface. It gives a tactile effect without a die, which makes it cheaper on a short run and less crisp on a fine detail.
It suits pattern and texture more than fine type.
Which to use where
On a printed board box, spot UV is the cheapest way to make a logo appear and raised UV the cheapest way to make it felt. On a wrapped box, deboss or foil is almost always the answer instead, because the material is already fixed to board.
We will say which applies to your construction rather than quoting all three.
Registration
Anything applied to selected areas has to line up with the print underneath. A hairline of misregistration shows badly on a small logo, so fine detail is where this is decided — we will tell you at artwork stage if a detail is below what will hold.
At a glance
| Effect | How it is made |
|---|---|
| Spot UV | Clear gloss varnish on selected areas — flat but shiny |
| Embossing | A die and a counter-die pushing the material up |
| Raised UV | A built-up clear varnish, felt but less crisp |
| On a wrapped box | Deboss or foil instead — the wrap is glued to board |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between embossing and debossing?
Embossing raises the mark; debossing presses it in. Embossing needs two tools, a die and a counter-die.
Will spot UV show on a gloss box?
Barely. It relies on contrast against a matte ground, so it should be specified over matte lamination.
Can you emboss a leather-wrapped box?
Not usefully. The wrap is glued to board, so it cannot stretch. Deboss or foil is the answer on a wrapped box.
How fine can the detail be?
It depends on the method and the material. We will tell you at artwork stage if a hairline or a small point size will not hold.
Tell us what you need
Tell us the piece, your brand and the quantity you have in mind. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.