High-gloss UV items range from paperback covers to dance club flyers. A basic printed paper sheet is covered with a laminated coating in a UV press and the wet, coated paper dries by intense UV light after application. The resulting paper is durable, exhibiting vibrant colors and sharp images. This paper coating type is designed for attracting attention, such as a book dust cover, in a retail setting for marketing purposes.
The first Sharpie marker was introduced in 1964 by the Sanford Ink Company. The Sharpie marker was the first permanent marker that had a pen shape for easier manipulation with the hands. The Sharpie's many features include its ability to write on almost any surface. However, high-gloss UV surfaces are one of the most difficult coatings to write on. Acid Flyers states that no Sharpie marker can adhere permanently to a high-gloss UV surface.
Sharpie's newer pen shapes may be able to write on high-gloss UV surfaces. Print Safari suggests using a fine point or ultra fine point Sharpie for possible writing across the UV surface. The finer point has more chance of adhering to a smaller surface area than the thicker Sharpie pen types.
Sharpies are not meant to adhere to high-gloss UV surfaces. This coating process is designed for creating a resilient surface that guards against wear. A product, such as a paperback book, must withstand storage and travel, as well as abuses from inventory stacking and customer perusal. The high-gloss UV surface, resembling glass, retains the book's outside appearance for proper marketing and high sales.
Using the fine point or ultra fine point Sharpie marker on a high-gloss UV surface can possibly damage the coating. Do not press the Sharpie excessively against the coating during the writing process. An indentation may result along the UV surface, compromising the overall outside appearance.