Spot Varnish - Opinions?

[Wing1]

All the pictures in this project I'm working on will have a spot gloss varnish. On an image like this one, I'm thinking the varnish should only go on the photo, and exclude the drop shadow -- but my brain is so fried right now, I'm looking for opinions.

So what's yours? What do you think would look best?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/wingft1/Untitled-2.jpg

[morea]

I think it would look best if you spot varnish the white area only - because these are older looking documents that would likely not have a really smooth texture. The varnish on the white would make them feel rougher than the paper.

Mmm... nice!

[Wing1]

That WOULD be cool :D .. except that the image is kind of "floating" on the page, with body text and whatnot around it, so I couldn't really do that....

[morea]

aw, bummer. :p

[DesignerScott]

A few more options to consider from someone who hasn't dealt that much with spot varnishes (unfortunately... no brave clients)
How about making a grainy spot varnish or better yet making just the text and writing on the paper varnished, that way it would still seem rough, and above the white layer. I don't really know the limitations of spot varnish, but from what I have seen I think this could work.
Otherwise the simple answer to your question would have to be "leave the drop shadow the same as the white, since they are on the same 'level.'"
Good Luck.

[jimking]

The thing you want to achieve in spot varnishes is for it to pop on the page.
The paper stock you choose is important. For spot gloss varnishes I would choose matte coated paper, that way you would have a contrast between the gloss varnish and the paper. You can also do the reverse, you can choose gloss paper and dull varnish your pics. As far as making it a grainy varnish as DesignerScott mention wouldn't work well because the varnish is transparent, you would have to tilt the job in a light to notice it. You may not notice it unless you use a tint varnish which is not appropriate for this job. I have seen spot varnishes cover the pic only and not its shadow and also both pic and shadow varnished. Either way it looks good. Talk to your printer about the best way they would handle this contrast, there are different methods such as double hits.

[Neuro]

Talk to your printer about the best way they would handle this contrast, there are different methods such as double hits.

I think out of all the advise you have been given this one line is KEY! :D

Printers want to help. They want to make their jobs easier by helping you. Talk to them and you'll get a wealth of knowledge. There are no stupid questions. Everyone has to start somewhere. Don't be afraid to bring these issues up with them. The other thing is if you build that relationship early, when you are in a crunch situation. They will be most likely happy to help you out. A designer to printer relationship is very important!!

[Wing1]

For spot gloss varnishes I would choose matte coated paper, that way you would have a contrast between the gloss varnish and the paper.

That's what **I** would have chosen as well, but the stock is ordered (mill order), and glossy, and the client wants a gloss varnish, so I'm stuck with it... I think i'm going to varnish the pics only and exclude the shadow.

[jimking]

You may not get the effect that you'd like on that stock but I've seen it done before. The varnish will look subtle.

[Wing1]

Maybe I should try again and convince them of a matte varnish. There shouldn't be any price difference to the quote and it would look better.

*sigh*

This is the job that never ends...

[Vikia]

I like the idea of a gloss stock for the background and text, but use a matte varnish over the image (sans drop shadow). This will give the client a classy look and make the image pop with the old-ish look you are going for.

[jimking]

Maybe I should try again and convince them of a matte varnish. There shouldn't be any price difference to the quote and it would look better.

*sigh*

This is the job that never ends...

I think that would look better. Vikia concurs.

[willy_flew]

I concur with Neuro. Refer your question to the printer. They may have samples to demonstrate each situation to help sastisfy your questions. I would also show them to the end user. After all its not what you or we like but what they like.

[Wing1]

Yippee! Customer has agreed to matte varnish :)
I love it when i get my way! :D

Thanks all for your input!

[panzer]

any link on spot varnih for me guys ?

[morea]

http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/softwaretutorials/ht/spot_varnish.htm

[UDesignWePrint]

A matte varnish will look great. I suggest you talk this over with your printer -- Neuro's comments are so important -- designers must have a solid relationship with their printer. We work with designers all day and there are times when we hear the frustration in their voices - printers need to be more active!

[jimking]

I don't know about other printers but we are nonstop! Not unactive what so ever. You'll be surprised how we would warn clients not to do certain things so forth and so on but to no avail. Some get very angry, thinking that we are trying to rip them off or insulting their abilities. It's a tough job to be a CSR or anyone who has to deal with people in this age of digitization.

[Ovaltine]

I like the idea of a gloss stock for the background and text, but use a matte varnish over the image (sans drop shadow). This will give the client a classy look and make the image pop with the old-ish look you are going for.

I think it would look best if you spot varnish the white area only - because these are older looking documents that would likely not have a really smooth texture. The varnish on the white would make them feel rougher than the paper.


Vikia, you took the thought right outta my head :)
Morea, you too!

I'd like to see the white glossy, and the "old paper" matte.

Jimking, the only time I've had a printer question what I was doing was when I was in college. We had to have buisness cards printed on press. I chose to do mine on black stock with 2 spots, a silver (for the text) and a deep purple. Problem was I couldn't get the laser proof to print correctly as it knocked out the bkgrnd behind the purple. I had to explain to the printer repeatedly that I understood the purple wouldn't be that bright, and that I didn't want it to be. It was to be like a watermark. In the end they did what I asked, and it turned out exactly like I wanted it to from the start. Not always, but sometimes we really do know what we want.

[jimking]

I don't mean like your situation, I mean like "you should choose a coated paper not 50lb white offset for your full 4/color annual report" type of advise. Switching to coated paper cost more, so you kind of get what I mean.

[Rocketpig]

Your client wants a spot varnish on gloss paper?

Well, that's silly.

Ask them if they'd like you to spot varnish a die cut while you're at it.

[jimking]

I've seen spot varnishes on gloss paper but it was a dull varnish to give it contrast. Also tint varnishs. You can get some classy effects if done correctly.

[Rocketpig]

True, you could use a tinted varnish. I didn't think of that.

But the effect is more stark when used with matte paper.

[Vikia]

I've seen spot varnishes on gloss paper but it was a dull varnish to give it contrast. Also tint varnishs. You can get some classy effects if done correctly.

Yes, tint varnishes...I used a pale blue pattern tint (matte) on a bright white CS1 for a background pattern on a winter commencement invitation. It was very well recieved.

[Cappy]

I would like to hear the outcome.

[vtwin_gary]

rise up from the dead!

i'm not sure if cappy has the know how to rise a thread considering he/she only has 5 posts.

but i'd like to know the outcome also so...
Wing1 are you still alive? can you tell us your secerts?