Finishes
Spot UV printing
Spot UV lays a clear, high-gloss coating over specific parts of your design, such as your logo, product photo or a subtle tone-on-tone pattern, then cures it instantly under ultraviolet light. Placed over matte or soft-touch lamination, the glossy shapes pop whenever light hits the box.
Custom dielines · Free 3D mockup before you pay · Free US shipping
- AI-to-print studio includedAI concepts rebuilt onto exact dielines + 3D mockup
- 4–5 day rush specialistsPriority press lanes built for tight launch deadlines
- 3D mockup before you payAnd a digital proof of your design
- Free US shippingTo all 50 states · worldwide DDP shipping available
What is spot UV?
Unlike overall lamination, which covers the entire sheet uniformly, spot UV is printed selectively like a clear ink layer through a precision screen or plate and hardened in fractions of a second by UV lamps. Because it is transparent rather than metallic, it highlights the printed color underneath, or creates a subtle gloss-on-matte watermark over solid black or dark brand colors.
How it works
How does spot UV work?
- 01
Base print and matte film go down
Your box or label is printed first and usually laminated in matte or soft-touch for a flat, low-glare background.
- 02
Clear UV varnish prints selectively
Clear liquid coating is applied only where your Spot UV mask specifies: logos, icons, photos or geometric patterns.
- 03
Instant UV light curing
Ultraviolet lamps harden the varnish into a smooth, slick, high-shine layer with crisp edges.
Is it for you?
When to choose it, and when to skip it
Choose it when
- Tone-on-tone gloss patterns over dark matte or soft-touch boxes (such as black gloss lines on matte black)
- Highlighting a brand logo or product render without adding metallic color
- Cosmetic cartons, electronics boxes, supplement boxes, rigid lids and waterproof roll labels
- Pairing with metallic foil stamping: foil on the wordmark, spot UV on background monogram patterns
Skip it when
- Applying spot UV over gloss lamination: shiny coating on top of a shiny box has almost no visual contrast
- Raw uncoated kraft or porous recycled board without lamination underneath, as liquid varnish can soak into open fibers
- Running heavy spot UV directly over sharp 90-degree fold creases where hard cured varnish could crack when folded
How it works
Request a quote with spot UV
Tell us what you’re packing and how many. The form opens with spot UV ticked. Your dedicated account manager prepares pricing for each quantity.
- 01
Tell us what you’re packing
Pick your box, bag or label, enter a rough size and up to 3 quantities — or drop in an AI design.
- 02
Compare custom pricing
Your dedicated account manager prepares tailored pricing for each quantity tier you picked.
- 03
Dieline & 3D mockup, free
Our studio prepares print-ready artwork on your exact dieline and sends a 3D mockup. Nothing prints until you approve.
- 04
Printed & shipped free
Produced in 10–14 business days (4–5 day rush available) and delivered free to all 50 US states.
Prefer to talk? or see how ordering works.
Compare
Spot UV vs foil stamping vs gloss lamination
| Finish | What you see | What you feel | Best on | Pairs with | On labels? | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot UV | Gloss on chosen areas only | Slick patches on a flat surface | Logos and patterns on dark boxes | Matte or soft-touch film | Yes | Get a quote |
| Foil stamping | A shiny, metallic logo or text | A smooth, thin foil layer | Logos and a few words | Embossing or soft-touch | Yes | Get a quote |
| Gloss lamination | Bright, deep, shiny color | Slick and smooth | Photos and bold color | Full-color artwork | Yes | Get a quote |
Where it works
Which packaging can have spot UV?
Pick any of these in the quote form. Each button switches the form to that packaging, with the option ticked where the form has it.
- Card / product boxesGet a quote
- Mailer boxesGet a quote
- Rigid boxesGet a quote
- Labels & stickersGet a quote
- Paper bagsGet a quote
- Thank you & insert cardsGet a quote
Ready to order? See custom product boxes, custom black mailer boxes and custom labels.
Ready to add spot UV?
Send a rough idea: a product, a size and a quantity, and we’ll tailor your quote across up to 3 volume tiers.
Artwork
How to set up your artwork for spot UV
Not sure? Our free artwork check sets it up for you.
- Put all spot UV shapes on a separate vector layer or spot swatch named Spot_UV set to 100% solid fill
- Do not use opacity gradients in the Spot UV mask: varnish is either on (100% gloss) or off
- Pair spot UV with matte or soft-touch lamination so the shine stands out clearly
- Keep spot UV clear of glue flaps and tight score lines, or let our free prepress team trim back crease clearances for you
Popular on
Packaging often ordered with spot UV
Get a quote for any of these right here.
Products 8
Custom Cosmetic Boxes
Custom printed cosmetic boxes for makeup tubes, compacts, palettes and jars.
From 1,000Custom Skincare Boxes
Custom printed skincare boxes for serums, jars and cleansers from 1,000 units.
From 1,000Custom Perfume Boxes
Custom printed perfume boxes from 50 rigid cases or 1,000 folding cartons.
From 50Custom Apparel Boxes
Custom printed apparel boxes from 250 mailers, 1,000 cartons or 50 rigid boxes.
From 250Custom PR Boxes
Custom printed PR boxes and media kits with fitted foam or card inserts from 250 mailers.
From 250
Cost
Does spot UV cost more?
Yes, spot UV adds cost, which is included in your per-quantity quote. Unlike foil stamping, spot UV uses clear varnish rather than metallic film, and higher quantities bring the unit cost down quickly. Common searches we quote include spot uv printing boxes, spot uv vs foil stamping, spot gloss on matte box, spot uv labels, clear gloss varnish packaging, uv cured spot gloss coating, tone on tone black spot uv boxes, spot uv over soft touch lamination, selective gloss highlight on cartons, spot uv pattern and logo finish, raised and flat spot uv packaging, vector spot uv mask setup, glossy accent on matte boxes and when to choose spot uv finish.
Every quote is free, with tailored pricing for each quantity tier you compare.
Get a quote with spot UVWays to pay less
- 10% off your first order
- We beat a written US competitor quote for the same specs
- A lower unit price at bigger quantities
Why CubitPack
One account manager, from first question to delivery.
- 1-on-1
Dedicated account manager
Work with one packaging specialist from sizing and dielines through proof approval and delivery.
- Free
AI & custom design studio
Bring print-ready files, a rough logo, or an AI-generated box idea — we rebuild every element onto your exact dieline for free.
- 3D
Approve before you pay
Review a high-detail 3D mockup and flat digital proof of every panel, flap and finish before paying a cent.
- 10–14
Business days to deliver
Counted from proof approval and payment, with free shipping across all 50 states. Rush orders ship in 4–5 days.
Our promises, in writing
- Reprint or refund. If we get it wrong, tell us within 14 days with photos and you choose.
- Pantone guaranteed. If a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint it.
- Damaged in transit. We reprint the damaged units free and handle the carrier claim.
- Cancel free. Any time before you approve your proof, with a full refund.
At a glance
Spot UV at a glance
- Works on
- Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, labels and stickers, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.
- Best for
- High-contrast gloss logos and tone-on-tone patterns over matte or soft-touch surfaces.
- Cost
- Yes, spot UV adds cost, which is included in your per-quantity quote.
- Before you pay
- A digital proof and a 3D mockup
- Account support
- One dedicated account manager from quote to delivery
FAQ
Spot UV: questions
What is the difference between spot UV and foil stamping?
Spot UV is a clear, glossy coating that lets the ink color underneath show through (including tone-on-tone black on black), while foil stamping presses opaque metallic or pigmented foil over the board.
Why should spot UV be paired with matte or soft-touch lamination?
Spot UV works by contrast. Against a flat, zero-glare matte or velvety soft-touch surface, the glossy varnish catches light immediately; on an already glossy box, it barely shows.
Can I print a clear spot UV pattern with no ink change underneath?
Yes. Printing a solid matte navy, forest green or black box and laying a clear spot UV geometric or botanical pattern directly over that solid background is called blind spot UV, and it looks sleek and modern.
Does spot UV work on custom labels and stickers?
Yes. Matte labels and stickers can add spot UV on logos, borders or icons, and can even combine spot UV with foil stamping.
How do I send a file if I do not know how to make a Spot UV mask?
Just send your regular design file (or AI concept) and write a note telling us which elements should shine. Our designers create the vector Spot UV layer for free and show it on your proof and 3D mockup.
Can I request a free digital proof and 3D mockup showing spot uv on my box?
Yes. Every order with spot uv includes free design help, a custom dieline, a 2D digital proof, and a 3D mockup before you pay so you can check placement and finishes.
Are there any die or plate charges when adding spot uv to my custom packaging order?
No. CubitPack charges zero die or printing plate fees on spot uv, and standard US shipping to all 50 states is included in your written quote.
How fast can I get a custom quote comparing unit prices with and without spot uv?
Send your product dimensions and up to three quantity tiers in the quote form, and your dedicated account manager replies in 5–7 minutes, 24/7, with side-by-side pricing.
Can I see spot uv in person inside the CubitPack sample kit or on a physical prototype?
Yes. You can order our physical sample kit (credited to your first order) to feel board and finish swatches, or request a custom pre-production prototype before a full run.
Guides
Guides about spot UV
Sources
Sources for this page
- Wikipedia: UV coating: how ultraviolet-cured clear polymer coatings create high-gloss spot highlights on printed paperboard and labels
- Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) — UV Spot Coating Guidelines: UV-cured selective gloss varnish registration over matte and soft-touch laminated packaging
Finishes
More finishes
Foil stamping
A heated die presses thin foil onto your logo or text.
Card / product boxes (folding cartons), mailer boxes, rigid boxes, paper bags, thank-you and insert cards, and labels and stickers.Get a quoteDetails about foil stampingEmbossing
Matched dies push your logo up from the board so you can feel it.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about embossingDebossing
A die presses your logo into the board for a quiet, pressed look.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about debossingMatte lamination
A thin film with a flat, low-glare look that guards against scuffs.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, labels and stickers, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about matte laminationGloss lamination
A thin, shiny film that makes colors pop and protects the print.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, labels and stickers, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about gloss laminationSoft-touch lamination
A matte film with a velvety feel that also protects the print.
Card / product boxes, rigid boxes, mailer boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about soft-touch lamination
Get started
Get a price with spot UV.
Bring a rough size, a logo, or an AI concept. One dedicated account manager guides your custom packaging from dieline and 3D proof to delivery.