Custom Spot UV Boxes & Spot UV Packaging
Spot UV applies a gloss varnish to selected areas only, leaving everything around it matte. There is no extra color, no metallic layer, just a difference in surface finish that catches light. It is subtle enough that plenty of people notice it without knowing what they are looking at. We produce a lot of spot UV packaging at ZEE Packaging and contrast is what makes it work.
Shine Where You Choose It
A spot UV box uses finish rather than color.
- A gloss varnish is applied to specific areas only
- The surrounding surface stays matte for contrast
- No pigment is added, so the artwork underneath shows through
- It catches light as the box is turned
- The effect is felt slightly as well as seen
- It reads considered rather than loud
Most brands specifying a spot UV box want a premium cue without adding foil or another color.
Contrast Is Everything
The effect only exists in comparison.
- A matte base is essential, since gloss on gloss shows nothing
- Soft touch lamination gives the strongest contrast available
- Large gloss areas dilute the effect considerably
- Selective application on a logo or a pattern works best
- Registration must be tight, or the varnish sits off the artwork
- Dark colors show the contrast more clearly than pale ones
- Tuck end carton the everyday spot UV box
- Rigid lid and base varnish applied to the printed wrap
- Magnetic closure box premium spot UV packaging
- Mailer box ecommerce formats with a varnished logo
- Sleeve over a tray spot UV on the visible face
- Raised spot UV a thicker, textured varnish layer
Sizes We Print Regular
Every spot UV box is built to your product, though these run often:
- 6" x 4" x 2" for a small gift
- 8" x 6" x 3" for a mid size item
- 3" x 3" x 4" for a candle or jar
- 10" x 8" x 3" for a curated set
- 2" x 2" x 5" for a cosmetic tube
- 12" x 9" x 3" for apparel
Board And Finish
- Matte lamination as the base, giving proper contrast
- Soft touch lamination for the most striking difference
- SBS C1S beneath for the best print reproduction
- Rigid greyboard with a matte laminated wrap
- Raised spot UV for a tactile, dimensional effect
- Combined with foil, where varnish surrounds a foiled mark
Raised spot UV is worth knowing about. A thicker varnish deposit gives genuine texture, which reads considerably more premium than a flat gloss.
The Sustainability Position
- The varnish itself is a coating, added over lamination
- A matte aqueous base with spot UV recycles more easily
- Blind deboss gives a similar cue with nothing added
- Recycled board beneath the finish where possible
- FSC certified stock, certificate available on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
Where recyclability leads, a deboss achieves a comparable effect without a coating layer, and we would say so.
How An Order Runs With Us
- 100 unit minimum, so a small brand can order properly
- Free 3D mockup and flat proof before anything prints
- Free dieline drawn by our own designer
- Physical sample on request, since contrast cannot be judged on screen
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide with nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work on a gloss box?
Barely. Gloss on gloss produces almost no contrast, so a matte or soft touch base is essential.
Is there a tooling cost?
There is a plate for the varnish, charged once and reused on reorders. It is modest compared with a foiling die.
What is the price for a box with spot UV printing?
Rough estimate is $0.30 to $0.85 per unit on a folding carton, $2.00 to $4.60 for rigid with a wrap and $0.45 to $1.20 with raised varnish at moderate quantity. Coverage moves it. Shipping is included in our price. This is estimate only, so ask our team for a exact quote.
How much should we varnish?
Less than most people apply. Selective application on a logo or pattern reads far better than large glossy areas.
What is raised spot UV?
A thicker varnish deposit with genuine texture. You can feel it, which makes the effect considerably more noticeable.
Will it show on photos?
Only under angled lighting. Like most finish effects, it performs better in person and in video than in a flat product shot.
Can we combine it with foil?
Yes, and it works well. Varnish around a foiled mark gives two levels of contrast at once.
