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Paper Finish
PrintNinja offers various types and styles of paper finish. Paper finishes are applied after printing, and are usually only applied to a project’s cover. Finishes each have a type (e.g. varnish or lamination) and a style (e.g. gloss or matte). If you’re not sure, we recommend ordering a sample pack so you can see your options in person.
Varnish
Varnish is a liquid finish applied via the printing press to seal in and protect the ink on the printed surface. It is available in gloss, matte, and UV, and is usually matched to the coating of the underlying paper. Varnish makes a great cover finish for saddle-stitched products like comic books and magazines.
Lamination
Lamination is a thin polypropylene film applied to the surface of the paper after printing using a roller. It provides the ultimate in protection, and is available in both gloss and matte. The sheen and texture of lamination is much more pronounced than varnish, and gloss lamination is very shiny, while matte lamination is very smooth. Perfect bound and case bound books should always use a lamination for their covers to prevent any damage to the printed surface during the binding process.
No Finish
Not all projects require a finish, and if your project is saddle-stitched, without heavy ink coverage on the cover, you can choose to skip the finish altogether.
PrintNinja Tip
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Once you’ve chosen your paper finish, you’re one step closer to instantly calculating your price. Check out our calculator to configure your project and see your price.
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