Varnishes are an extra coating put on all or certain areas of a printed piece to give it a more slick or finished appearance. Varnish is actually a liquid shellac or plastic that is used like an ink on the printing press. It can be loaded just like an ink color and applied after all of the ink has been printed on the paper. A varnish can be clear or tinted and can give either a glossy or a dull-finish.
Designers use varnishes in a variety of ways and create a whole slew of different effects.
I once saw five coats of varnish applied to an uncoated stock and couldn't tell that any had been applied. Keep in mind that designers and printers should be sure that the combination of the coated stock and the varnish will not create a too much of a reflection. Your readers may not appreciate having to wear sunglasses just to read you piece. My Design Studio. Please read our terms of use .