Gloss, Matte, Spot Gloss and Raised Texture: UV Finishes Explained
Spot UV and texture printing let you add shine, contrast and raised feel to only certain parts of a design. On a UV printer this is done with clear coat ink: printed thin, it becomes a gloss or matte finish; printed in a specific area, it becomes a spot gloss; stacked in layers, it becomes raised texture you can feel, up to about 7 mm high on our machine. At Arnold Prints in Westlake, Florida we print all of these finishes in house directly onto acrylic, wood, metal, leatherette and other hard goods.
The finish is often what separates a promo item that gets tossed from one that stays on a desk. Here is what each option looks like, where it works best, and how to ask for it in your artwork.
How clear coat works on a UV printer
Our xTool O1 Omni Dual-Head UV printer has a dedicated clear coat channel alongside CMYK, white, flexible white and fluorescent inks. Clear coat is ink with no pigment. The printer controls how much is laid down, where it goes, and how many layers stack up, and the UV lamp cures each layer instantly so the next one can sit on top.
That control gives you four basic finishes, and they can be combined in one piece.
Gloss
A gloss finish adds a smooth, wet looking shine over the print. Colors look deeper and richer, and black looks blacker. Gloss is the default most people picture when they imagine a printed sign or award.
Best for: full color photos, bold logos, signs viewed from a distance, keychains and anything where you want colors to pop.
Watch out for: glare. A large gloss sign under bright office lighting can reflect. For lobby signs we often recommend matte backgrounds with gloss accents instead.
Matte
Matte is a soft, low sheen finish. It reads as calm and modern, hides fingerprints better, and photographs without glare. On wood and leatherette it keeps a natural look instead of a plastic shine.
Best for: office signage, corporate gifts, minimalist brands, wood pieces, and items that get handled a lot.
Watch out for: very saturated colors look a touch softer under matte. That is usually the point, but if a brand color has to be loud, ask us about gloss or spot gloss on that element.
Spot gloss
Spot gloss means gloss applied only to selected parts of the design, usually over a matte background. The logo catches light as you tilt the item while the rest stays flat. It is one of the most effective ways to make a single color logo feel expensive without adding anything else.
Best for: business card style designs on acrylic or metal, awards with a highlighted logo, phone cases, premium gift boxes and lids.
Ideas that work:
- A black matte acrylic sign with the logo printed in glossy black. Tone on tone, very subtle, very sharp.
- A full color photo with gloss only on the subject and matte on the background.
- A repeating pattern printed in clear gloss over a solid matte color, visible only at an angle.
Raised texture
This is where UV printing gets fun. By stacking clear coat (and sometimes white ink) in layers, the printer builds actual height. On our machine, raised texture can reach up to about 7 mm. Most designs do not need anywhere near that much: a millimeter or two is enough to feel crisp under a fingertip.
What people use it for:
- Raised lettering on signs. Office and storefront signs with dimensional letters, without cutting and mounting separate pieces. See our UV printed signs.
- Embossed style logos. A logo that stands up off a phone case, keychain or award.
- Simulated textures. Wood grain, leather grain, brush strokes, canvas, or a stitched border on a patch.
- Tactile accents. Textured grip patterns, raised dots, or a ridged edge detail.
Watch out for: time. Every layer is another pass, so tall texture takes longer to print than a flat design. Tall texture also works best on flat items rather than curved wraps. We will suggest a height that gives you the effect without stretching your timeline.
Combining finishes
The best pieces usually mix two or three finishes:
| Item | Finish recipe |
|---|---|
| Lobby sign | Matte background, raised gloss lettering |
| Award plaque | Full color logo in gloss, matte name plate area, raised border |
| Phone case | Matte full color art with a spot gloss logo |
| Acrylic keychain | Gloss front with a raised outline around the logo |
| Leather patch | Full color print on flexible white with raised stitch texture border |
Our UV printing service page has more examples, and the custom trophies and awards page shows how finishes change the look of recognition pieces.
How to request a finish in your artwork
You do not need special software to ask for a finish. A simple note like "matte overall, gloss on the logo" is often enough, and we will build the clear coat layer for you. If your designer wants to set it up:
- Put the finish areas on their own layer, named something obvious like "SPOT GLOSS" or "TEXTURE."
- Fill those areas with 100 percent of a single spot color. The color itself does not matter; the shape does.
- For raised texture, indicate the height you want, or use grayscale where darker means taller if the design has graduated texture.
- Send vector files (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) where possible so edges stay sharp.
Our article on preparing artwork for UV printing walks through white ink and file setup in more detail.
Finishes and durability
Clear coat cures hard and adds a protective layer over the color, which helps with everyday handling. Raised edges are more exposed than flat areas, so we size texture sensibly on items that go in pockets or bags. For drinkware we recommend hand washing to keep any finish looking its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is spot UV printing?
Spot UV means applying a clear gloss only to chosen parts of a design, usually over a matte background, so those parts catch the light. On our UV printer it is printed directly onto the item with clear coat ink.
How high can raised texture go?
Our printer can build raised texture up to about 7 mm. Most logos and lettering look great at one to two millimeters, which also prints faster.
Can I combine matte and gloss on one piece?
Yes. Matte backgrounds with gloss logos are one of the most requested combinations, and raised texture can be added on top.
Which materials can take these finishes?
Acrylic, wood, metal, glass, ceramic, leatherette, leather and many plastics. Send the item if you are unsure and we will test it.
Do textured finishes cost more?
Texture adds print passes, so it can affect pricing on larger runs. We will quote both options so you can compare.
Add a finish to your next order
Tell us what you are making and the feel you want, and we will recommend a finish recipe and send a quote. Request a quote, call 561-323-7573 or email sales@arnoldprints.com. Arnold Prints has been decorating products for 14+ years and prints UV in house in Westlake, FL.
