Coated Business Cards – UV or AQ

Coated Business Cards

Elevate Your First Impression with a Sleek, Polished Finish

Make your brand unforgettable with classic Coated Business Cards, finished to provide exceptional clarity, shine, and durability. Choose from two distinct coating options—Aqueous Coating and UV High Gloss Coating—each offering unique benefits in appearance, protection, and tactile experience.

Coating Options

Aqueous Coating (AQ)

Aqueous coating is a fast-drying, water-based product applied after printing. It provides a smooth, semi-gloss that enhances color vibrancy and protects the card’s surface from smudging, fingerprints, and minor scratches.

• Application: Applied in liquid form, then dried quickly using heat and air.

• Effect: Soft shine with a smooth touch. Colours appear slightly richer than on uncoated stock, but less reflective than UV coating.

• Advantages:

  • Eco-friendly and recyclable

  • Resistant to smudges and scuffs

  • Adds a layer of durability without significant gloss

  • Slight increase in rigidity and thickness

• Caution: While it offers some writability, certain pens (like gel ink) may not write well on the surface.

UV High Gloss Coating

UV coating is a high-gloss, ultra-smooth finish cured using ultraviolet light for immediate drying. This process results in a dazzling shine that makes colors pop dramatically, giving your cards a luxurious and professional feel.

• Application: Applied as a liquid coating after printing and then instantly dried with UV light.

• Effect: Super glossy finish with a mirror-like surface. Makes colors appear more vivid and eye-catching.

• Advantages:

  • Maximum shine and visual impact

  • Enhanced scratch and moisture resistance

  • Gives the card a thicker, stiffer feel

  • Ideal for photo-heavy or color-rich designs

• Caution: UV-coated surfaces are not writable—most pens and markers will smudge or won’t adhere.

Why Choose Coated Business Cards?

• Professional Appearance: The added gloss or sheen gives your cards a polished, high-end look.

• Durability: Both coatings offer protection against everyday wear and tear.

• Tactile Experience: The enhanced rigidity and smooth finish contribute to a more substantial, premium feel in hand.

• Colour Enhancement: Coated surfaces improve ink holdout, allowing printed colours to appear sharper and more saturated.

Ideal For:

• Creative professionals

• High-end brands

• Photographers and designers

• Businesses seeking a sleek, impactful presentation

Coated Business Cards vs Business Cards on Coated Paper

Just to be clear, High Gloss UV and AQ coatings are added post-printing.  It is an additional coating over the ink or toner applied to the card in the printing process.

Coated paper, on the other hand, is used in all print jobs.  This is paper coated at the paper mill to give it a smoother surface in gloss, silk, or matte.  This coating is baked onto the paper’s surface to prevent inks from absorbing.

Gloss UV and Aqueous coated business cards are generally printed on coated paper stocks.  Here, those cards are either 14 or 16 points in thickness.  The new UV and AQ coating will add a bit to the thickness and rigidity of your cards.

Need to Write on Your Cards?

If you plan to add notes or signatures to your business cards, consider leaving an uncoated area (spot coating) or choosing standard business cards on coated paper, semi-gloss or matte, for better writability.