Spot UV Business Card Design Requirements

All projects requiring special effects such as Spot UV additionally require files called Black Mask files, on top of your regular full-color artwork. A Black Mask file is where you indicate in 100% black (K) exactly where the effect is to be placed on your printed pieces.

• Main artwork file: your full-color, print-ready design.
• Black Mask file: a separate file where areas filled solid black mark where the gloss is applied. Everything else stays uncoated.
• Build it in vector: we strongly recommend creating all Black Mask files in a vector-based program such as Illustrator.
• Keep it aligned: the mask must line up exactly with the artwork so the shine sits where you intend.

Please also keep in mind that if you intend your effect to be in alignment with your print, shifts of up to 1/16" can occur. This is because special effects are applied on separate machines from the regular printing machines, so plan your design so the elements you want to pop, like a logo or headline, allow for that tolerance.