Add a premium gloss finish to selected areas of your design with Spot UV Business Cards — a clear UV coating applied precisely to the elements you choose, creating a striking contrast between the smooth velvet laminate surface and the high-gloss spot finish. Printed in full colour CMYK on both sides of premium cardstock with a velvet laminate on the front, the spot UV coating is then applied on top to bring your logo, brand elements, or key design details to life.
Subtle, sophisticated, and immediately impressive to the touch — spot UV is one of the most popular premium finishes in print for good reason.
FAQs
Design & Artwork
Artwork must be supplied as a three-page press-ready PDF — front of card on page 1, back of card on page 2, and the Spot UV layer on page 3. Full file setup requirements are outlined below.
What are the print-ready file requirements?
Please follow these requirements when setting up your artwork:
• Correctly sized at 90 x 55mm with a minimum of 2mm external bleed on all sides
• Submitted with printer trim marks
• Safe zone for print is 3mm in from all sides
• All artwork must be flattened with all images embedded and all fonts converted to outlines
• Minimum recommended image resolution is 300 DPI
• Rich black breakdown: C-40, M-40, Y-40, K-100. Text is fine at K-100 only
• All artwork must be set up in CMYK colour mode. RGB files will be converted and colours may shift as a result
• Matte celloglaze will darken colours by approximately 5%
• As per industry standard, colours may vary up to 5%
• For the best colour accuracy, refer to a Pantone colour guide rather than your screen
How do I set up my artwork for the Spot UV finish?
The Spot UV coating is a clear gloss finish applied on top of the velvet laminate. It is applied only to the areas you define in your Spot UV layer — wherever the coating is applied, it will appear as a gloss element sitting above the matte laminate surface, creating a contrast between the smooth velvet finish and the high-gloss spot coating. Areas outside the Spot UV layer will remain as the smooth velvet laminate finish.
The Spot UV layer must be set up as follows:
• Must be the 3rd artboard in your PDF
• Must be a spot colour
• Must be on a separate layer named SCODIX
• Set to overprint fill
All lines and strokes to receive the Spot UV finish must be at least 0.25mm thick — thinner lines may not appear clear or sharp. The Spot UV coating can shift slightly when applied, so avoid using it on very thin lines, small text, or finely detailed artwork.
Can you fix or set up my artwork?
We offer a "Make My File Print Ready" service that includes resizing, adding bleed, and preparing your file for production — with no changes to your actual artwork. If your design needs modifications or corrections, please contact us for a custom quote.
Will I see a proof before printing?
When placing your order, you'll select whether you have print-ready files, need file setup assistance, or need a new file created. Based on your selection, you'll see how many design proofs are included. If you have print-ready artwork and request a proof, we'll send you a digital proof for approval. We won't make adjustments to your artwork unless you've selected one of our file setup options. If your file isn't set up correctly, we'll notify you before proceeding.
What is a proof?
A proof is a digital preview of exactly how your business cards will look when printed. It shows the final design, colours, and sizing, allowing you to review and approve everything before production begins. Please note that the gloss Spot UV effect is a physical finish and cannot be fully represented in a digital proof — the proof will show placement and coverage of the Spot UV layer only.
When will I receive my proof?
Your proof will be emailed within 24–48 hours of placing your order. Please check your junk mail folder in case it's filtered there. If you haven't received it within this timeframe, contact us directly. No work will move into production until the proof is approved via return email.
What if my logo or image isn't high enough quality?
We'll assess your file and let you know if the quality is suitable for printing. If your artwork is too low resolution, we'll advise you and may be able to help recreate or source a better quality version for a small fee.
Materials & Finishing
Spot UV Business Cards are produced using a three-step finishing process. Your design is printed in full colour CMYK on both sides of premium cardstock. A velvet laminate is then applied followed by the clear Spot UV coating applied to your selected design elements. The result is a card with a refined tactile quality — smooth velvet laminate as the base with a precise high-gloss finish on selected areas.
What is Spot UV?
Spot UV is a clear gloss coating applied to specific areas of a printed card using UV light to cure and harden the coating instantly. It creates a contrast between the coated and uncoated areas of the card — typically used to highlight logos, brand elements, borders, or key design details. The effect is both visual and tactile, making those elements stand out against the surrounding surface.
How is Spot UV different from Scodix?
Both Spot UV and Scodix are clear gloss coatings applied to selected areas, but Scodix has a more pronounced raised, dimensional quality — it sits higher off the surface and has a more tactile feel. Spot UV is flatter and more subtle, sitting closer to the card surface with a smooth high-gloss sheen. If you want a more noticeable raised effect, Scodix is the better choice. If you prefer a refined, elegant gloss contrast, Spot UV delivers a clean and sophisticated result.
What size are the cards?
Business cards are the standard 90 x 55mm size.
Are both sides printed?
Yes — Spot UV Business Cards are printed in full colour CMYK on both sides. The Spot UV coating is applied to the front only.
How do these compare to standard business cards?
Spot UV Business Cards offer a significantly more premium look and feel than standard gloss or matte cards. The combination of velvet laminate and precise Spot UV coating creates a refined, high-end result that makes a strong impression — ideal for any brand or professional who wants their card to stand out without being overly bold.
Production Times & Shipping
Business cards are shipped within 7 business days from artwork upload or approval.
Can you rush my order if it's urgent?
Please contact us directly to discuss your timeline and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.
Who do you use for shipping?
We use local couriers for all Spot UV business card deliveries, ensuring reliable and trackable shipping across Australia.
How long will delivery take once my order ships?
Delivery times depend on your location and the courier service used. You'll receive tracking information once your order is dispatched.
If I order multiple different products will my entire order arrive together?
If you order multiple different products, they may be dispatched separately as each item is completed. This means you might receive your order in multiple packages at different times. Each dispatch will be sent with tracking information so you can monitor all your deliveries.
Artwork & File Setup Guides
Get your files print-ready with our step-by-step guides
Creating files at the correct size
Set up your artwork to exact print dimentions before beginning
Re-sizing files and adding bleed
Adjust your file size & avoid white edges after trimming
How to convert fonts to outlines
Ensure fonts don't change before printing
Colour matching guidelines for print
Learn how colours translate from screen to print and what to expect
Creating with Canva
- Download your file as a flattened PDF
- Add crop marks and bleed
- Use CMYK colour for best print results (RGB will print but colours may appear less vibrant than on screen)