There are three types of gloss varnish: water-based, UV and oil-based.
All three types protect the print products and provide the colours with slightly more depth.
Water-based gloss varnish is applied on the whole surface at the lacquer works in in-line processing; UV varnish is applied either on the whole or only part of the surface using serigraphy or a flexographic press; oil-based varnish is applied partially on the surface at the printing works using a plate.
Water and oil-based varnishes can only be used on coated paper, but UV varnish may be used on all types of surfaces, including foils.