Tutorial: How to create a mask file to print raised Spot UV

Why did we create this tutorial to teach how to make PDF files with the mask needed to print Spot UV?

We wanted to create a tutorial that was simple to understand and enjoyable to watch, and provide a high-quality solution to the problem of properly preparing the necessary files to print pieces embellished with raised spot UV as well as regular spot UV.

There are many finishing options to embellish your print work, and we notice that it is sometimes difficult for our clients to create the proper files.

We often get questions from our clients asking how they should prepare their files for printing using the Spot UV option. The good news is that our video tutorial does a great job of explaining how to properly prepare your file for printing using the Spot UV option. The video tutorial is approximately 5 minutes long, and it can be viewed by clicking on the video.

Follow this tutorial to create your own spot UV masks and files in Adobe Illustrator

 

Here are the steps reviewed in the tutorial

 

1 - Create a file in Illustrator that has the size of 3.5" wide / 2" heigh
Image shows an artboard created in Illustrator with the size of 3.5" wide x 2" tall
 
2 - Enter into the document properties and add bleed to your document. In this case, we decided to add 0.125"
Image showing the document properties indicating to generate bleed of 0.125"
 
 
3 - We'll start now creating the elements that will tell your print provider where to apply raised spot UV
In this case, that triangular logo is the area on top of which we want the spot UV to lay.
image showing the selection of the element on top of which the spot UV will be applied
 
4 - We'll duplicate the layer, and using the pathfinder, we'll join all of the paths to have a single figure that covers the whole area where the spot UV will be applied.
image shows the element that has been joined together using the pathfinder in Illustrator
 
5 - Change the color of that layer to pure black. Your file has to be submitted in CMYK color space, and in this case, the black should be created just with the black ink, represented by K=100.
image showing how to change the color of the selection
 
6 - Manually hide the layers that don't belong to the original image. In this case, the layer with the black shape.
hide the layer that has the black shape so that the print file can be created
 
7 - Create the PDF for the printing file. Include crop marks.
when creating the PDF have it add trim marks and bleed
Image shows a PDF with crop marks
8 - Unhide the layer with the black image, and hide all the rest.
 
9 - Create the PDF that has exclusively the black shape. Include crop marks.
Image of the PDF document with the black mask and the cut marks
 
If you have any question, give us a call.
If you need help creating the masks, our team of creatives will do so on your behalf. At least you'll know better understand the concept behind this portion of the design.
 
We hope that this tutorial has been a good source for your creative work!
See you soon