Uncoated media has always been a staple in print - valued for its natural look and smooth runnability, but it traditionally has been unable to take advantage of embellishments like foils, spot coatings, and raised UV textured effects.  Embellishments are challenging on uncoated media due to its porous, textured surface, which hinders adhesion and causes effects like foil and raised UV to sink in or distort.

New innovations from Canon’s finishing partners have made it not only possible, but practical and reliable, to apply these effects on uncoated sheets. In collaboration with Harris & Bruno International and Sylvamo, Canon has released their first print sample showcasing this breakthrough, and is excited to share how you can leverage it to offer premium uncoated pieces to your customers:

• Step 1 - Select the right paper for your piece: This sample utilizes Sylvamo Accent Opaque 120 lb. Cover for the sketchbook cover due to its exceptional performance and quality. This uncoated sheet makes a statement on its own when it comes to premium print pieces, which are amplified even further when embellishments are applied. The smooth finish of this sheet helps to deliver sharp and bright images consistently and provides the foundation for the next steps.

• Step 2 – Leverage production inkjet for high-quality prints: The Canon varioPRINT iX3200 was utilized for this sample due to its ability to produce vibrant, premium-quality imagery with sharp details and vivid, consistent colors. Its high-quality output combined with efficient speeds makes it an excellent solution for producing eye-catching, tactile print samples like this sketchbook.

• Step 3 – Enhance the piece with premium finishing: The embellishments on this piece were produced on Harris & Bruno’s ZRX Digital Embellishment Press. From raised textures to glossy highlights, these effects elevate the uncoated sheet to a new level. All tactile elements were applied in a single pass, without the need for lamination—showcasing how the latest technologies not only expand finishing capabilities but also help drive greater efficiency in producing premium print pieces like this sketchbook. 

Together, these technologies demonstrate how innovation in printing and finishing can come together to create truly standout pieces. While this sample highlights a sketchbook cover, the same approach can elevate mailers, invitations, and other specialty projects -bringing premium quality, vibrant imagery, and tactile appeal to a wide range of print applications.

What’s driving the need for elevated uncoated prints?

The push to bring embellishments to uncoated papers is being driven by a combination of market demand and technological advancements. Printers are looking to provide cost-effective solutions while maintaining premium offerings. Print buyers are looking for high-quality, sustainable solutions to meet the needs of their brands. Let’s look at the top reasons why uncoated media is the new frontier for embellished applications: 
 

• Delivering Value Effectively: Paper costs continue to rise, and coated stocks - once essential for premium finishes - often come at the highest prices. By offering coatings on uncoated sheets, printers can take advantage of lower paper costs while still offering high-value results that command premium pricing. Expanding coating capabilities to new media types not only protects revenue but also opens exciting creative possibilities for your customers.
   
• Sustainable Solutions: In today’s market, brands are increasingly seeking ways to make their print pieces more environmentally friendly. Choosing uncoated media can help eliminate many of the chemicals typically used in gloss or matte coatings. By eliminating the need for lamination - once considered essential for embellishing uncoated sheets - this approach offers a more sustainable solution that aligns with the evolving environmental priorities of today’s end-users.
   
• Luxury Look and Feel: More designers are turning to uncoated stocks because it allows them to preserve the natural texture and tactile quality of the paper. Unlike coated sheets, where ink typically sits on the surface, uncoated media lets the water-based ink interact directly with the fibers, creating subtle, sophisticated effects that enhance the sense of luxury. This approach delivers a richer, more tactile experience for the reader, giving designs depth and character that is difficult to replicate with traditional coated papers. Adding embellishments to these pieces drives the luxury feeling even further and creates stand-out pieces. 

Together, these factors show why uncoated media is becoming a go-to choice for premium, embellished print applications. By combining cost efficiency, streamlined production with the removal of the lamination step, and a tactile, luxury finish, printers can meet evolving customer expectations while exploring new creative possibilities. The result is a versatile, high-impact solution that elevates everything from book covers to mailers, invitations, and specialty projects, with this sketchbook sample serving as an entry point to help production inkjet customers explore and adopt uncoated embellishment techniques.

To explore the possibilities of uncoated embellishments for your business, contact your Canon sales representative to request one of these sample sketchbooks. It’s a hands-on way to see this innovative technology in action, understand its potential, and discover how you can add this premium application to your portfolio of offerings. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your print capabilities and offer standout, high-impact pieces to your clients.

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