Varnish is the most used process to protect the paper surface. The total or direct varnish on the printing press aims at protecting the printout without modifying its global aspect.

The choice of the using varnish and the application method depends on paper quality and it involves a complete control of the varnish coat final density, with the aim to give an invisible protection. It is a kind of colourless ink that is printed like an image on the whole document surface.

This method has a double goal of protecting and making prettier the document. It is the partial UV varnish on a screen printing press.

It is possible to create a marked visual effect. Moreover,  the use of other varnishes allows different effects : perfumed fragrance liberation, variations according to different hot levels or pearly effect...

Lamination consists in the application of a thin polyester film on the paper surface.This method gives good resultats on the surface of unvarnished paper. It gives a better protection against dirt and wear as well as a better folding resistence like varnishing.

Compared to varnishing, lamination doesn't give the same finishing to the paper surface. Result partly depends on used materials. There is not a matt, brilliant or stuctured finishing. The choice depends on the paper roughness.

For this process the printing press has to be integrated by a hot relief printing module un module with kiln. After the normal printing process, a chemical powder is widespread on the fresh ink applied on the sheet. This sheet passes through a kiln in which ink and dust melt and expand to create a relief, after drying and solidification.

This process, also called thermogravure, allows the use of all the PMS colours. The relief printing is particularly suitable for the reproduction of fine line and texts.