Aqueous coating is a water-based coating applied over a printed surface to provide additional surface protection and an improved finished appearance.
It is commonly used with offset-printed cartons and commercial print products where brands require a clean, professional finish together with protection during normal handling.
What Is Aqueous Coating?
Aqueous coating, often referred to as AQ coating, is a water-based protective coating applied over the printed surface of paper or paperboard.
Once applied and dried, the coating forms a thin protective layer over the printed surface. Depending on the coating selected and the printing requirement, it can help improve the appearance and handling characteristics of the finished printed product.
Why Is Aqueous Coating Used?
Surface Protection
Provides an additional protective layer over printed ink during normal handling and conversion.
Improved Presentation
Helps give printed cartons and commercial print products a clean and professionally finished appearance.
Reduced Scuffing
Can help reduce minor rubbing and scuffing of suitable printed surfaces during normal handling.
Consistent Finish
Provides a uniform surface finish across suitable printed sheets and packaging applications.
Where Can Aqueous Coating Be Used?
Aqueous coating can be considered for a variety of suitable printed paper and paperboard products.
Visual comparison of uncoated, aqueous coated and laminated print finishes.
Aqueous Coating vs Lamination
Aqueous coating and lamination are both used to finish printed products, but they are different processes.
Aqueous Coating
A water-based liquid coating is applied over the printed surface and dried to create a protective finished layer.
Lamination
A thin film is bonded to the printed sheet, creating a different level of surface protection, appearance and feel.
Neither option is automatically better for every job. The appropriate finishing method depends on the product, board, required appearance, handling conditions and packaging application.
Aqueous Coating & Offset Printing
In suitable sheet-fed offset printing workflows, aqueous coating can be applied as part of the printing and finishing process, allowing the printed sheet to receive its protective surface finish efficiently.
Choosing the Right Print Finish
The most elaborate finishing option is not necessarily the right choice for every printed product. The finish should be selected according to the intended application, required appearance, handling conditions, board or paper selected and overall project requirements.
Discussing these requirements before production helps identify a practical combination of printing, coating and finishing.
Aqueous Coating at Ellora
Ellora Print Pack LLP's 6-colour 28" × 40" sheet-fed offset printing capability includes aqueous coating for suitable printing and packaging applications.
Combined with our pre-press, die-cutting, folding and gluing capabilities, this supports an integrated workflow from printed sheet through finished carton.
Let's Find the Right Finish for Your Packaging.
Tell us about your carton, printed product, quantity and finishing requirement. Our team can help identify a suitable printing and finishing solution.
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