A method is disclosed for applying an antibacterial coating onto a substrate (12) having one or more layers of print (28). In a printing press (10), one or more layers of print (28) are applied to a substrate (12) in a printing step. A finishing composition 36 is applied over the layers of ink (28) by a finishing (stage 16) in a finishing step to form a continuous outer protective layer. The finishing composition (36) is applied to the substrate (12) by a roller (30). The printing step and the finishing step are performed simultaneously. The finishing composition (36) comprises an antibacterial additive.