Consider adding an Aqueous coating when you need a high gloss surface to protect your printed piece from dirt, smudges, fingerprints and scratching. Aqueous coating is a fast-drying, water-based, protective coating which is applied over the entire surface of your printed piece (flooded) in-line on press. Aqueous coating is more economical than UV coating (varnish*) and it is more environmentally friendly. Aqueous coating can improve the durability of pieces.
Design note: Coatings can also deepen the color of the printed area over which they are applied. Also, you cannot print (ink-jet or with a pen), glue, or foil stamp over coatings, so ask us to leave an uncoated window if your piece allows for any of these.
*Varnish: Essentially ink without pigment; available in gloss, dull and satin finish.