Matte vs. Gloss Lamination: Which Finish Is Right for Your Design
Printing materials for your marketing strategy matters a lot. In this case, offering a strong, durable, and protective layer, lamination is one to make your printed material more striking.
However, it is difficult to decide which lamination you should choose if you are unfamiliar with their features, differences, and benefits.
No biggie. In this blog, we will learn what is lamination. On top of that, we will also discover matte vs gloss lamination.
Let’s compare these lamination types to clear the difference between matte and gloss lamentations and take a glance at their distinctive features and benefits. Here you are!
Understanding Lamination in Packaging
Before moving towards matte and gloss lamination. Let’s delve into learning about lamination. Lamination is like giving your material a protective shield.
How Lamination Is Formed
It involves bonding thin layers of plastic film to the surface of cardstock, often using heat, pressure, or adhesive. This enhances durability and provides moisture resistance. Additionally, it offers protection against marks, dirt, and scuffs.
For What Lamination Is Good For
It enhances product appeal by creating protective layers over the printed material. This way, lamination not only makes your print materials more durable but also makes them more sleek and professional.
What is Matte Lamination
Matte lamination is a protective finishing process to give your packaging a more polished, smooth, and silky finish.
How Matte Lamination is Applied
In the process of matte lamination, a non-glossy film is applied to the surface of the cardstock to give your prints a muted finish. In short, it is like dressing your documents in an elegant coat.
Offers Elegance To Make A Brand Poke Out
Using this lamination for a subtle effect is great as it allows your brand to stand out with sophistication.
Flexibility
Extending the lifespan of printed materials through durability, reducing glare, and providing a sophisticated look, this lamination offers a tactile feel and is often used for business cards, stationery, and brochures.
What is Gloss Lamination
Gloss lamination by its name indicates a glossy (shinier) appearance to your packaging to represent vibrant colors for driving more attention.
How Gloss Lamination is Applied
In this finishing process, a transparent shiny thin plastic film is applied to the printed materials to enhance image quality and visual appeal by making colors more vibrant.
Quick To Clean and Suitable For Promotional Materials
Having durability, this gloss lamination is easy to clean and protects the printed material from dirt and moisture. Most commonly it is used for packaging boxes, flyers, and brochures.
Fingerprints can be easily visible on the glossy surface of this lamination when you touch it as it is transparent.
Matte Lamination Vs. Gloss Lamination: Underlying Differences
Let’s differentiate both matte and gloss laminations by understanding their features.
| Features | Matte Lamination | Gloss Lamination |
| Finish | Non-glossy and muted | Shiny and reflective |
| Touch | Soft and pleasant to touch | Smooth and slick |
| Glare/Reflection | Reduces glare and reflection | Enhances reflection |
| Durability | Offer good protection against wear | Offers excellent protection against scratches |
| Best for | Business cards, brochures, packaging, and book covers | Business cards, flyers, and marketing materials |
| Cleaning | Harder to clean | Easy to wipe and clean |
| Visual Appeal | Sophisticated and professional | Bold and attention-grabbing |
The above-given table highlighting the key differences can help you compare them with each other.
UV matte lamination offers a non-glossy and smooth finish along with a soft and gentle touch. While gloss lamination brings sheeny and reflective finish carrying smooth and gleaming touch.
In glare, matte lamination reduces reflection and its durability can withstand wear. Gloss lamination enhances glare and protects against scuffs.
Matte lamination applied on the printed material is challenging to clean as it is not enough durable as compared to gloss lamination but gives a cultured look and is suitable for book covers and packaging boxes.
Offering a striking and engaging look, gloss lamination can be easily wiped and cleaned and used for promotional materials including flyers and brochures.
Making The Right Lamination Choice for Your Packaging
In the battle: Matte lamination vs gloss lamination, deciding which type of lamination is befitting, depends. It hinges on factors including the look and feel you want to achieve for your project.
Both matte and gloss laminations have their pros and cons. They can significantly have a great impact on packaging.
Here are some packaging examples to help you understand and learn how these laminations are being used and how you can make the right selection for your prints.
Examples of Packaging That Use Matte Lamination Effectively
Chocolate Boxes: Gourmet chocolates packed in boxes applied with matte lamination create a classy appearance.
Stationery: Matte lamination on premium quality notebooks, business cards, and planners offers a sleek look and enhances the tactile experience.
Jewelry Boxes For Fashion Accessories: Containing fashion and jewelry items in jewelry boxes with matte lamination give luxurious appearance.
Packaging Examples For Which Gloss Lamination Is Efficient
Cosmetic Packaging: Many cosmetics brands prefer gloss lamination on cosmetic boxes to represent their beauty products and convey a sense of luxury and elegance.
Book Covers: Gloss lamination on paperback and hardcover books enhances their visual appeal and makes the cover stand out.
Games and Toy Packaging: Gloss lamination on game packaging and toy boxes gives a playful, bright, and eye-catching look to attract the attention of children and adults.
Last Thoughts
It is up in the air whether to apply gloss or matte lamination. Aesthetics and functionality matters in terms of printed materials.
Clarifying similarities between matte and gloss laminations with their unique features and benefits can help you make the right decision.
Whether it is about packaging, printing, or the right type of lamination selection from matte and gloss lamination, having years of experience in dealing with all these aspects, Custom Product Packaging is here to serve you better.
We can design your packaging boxes in required customizations along with your desired printing and lamination whether it is matte or gloss to make your product look classy grab customers' attention and interest and drive more sales while offering an unforgettable unboxing experience. Feel free to contact us by sending us a quick message at our email orders@customproductpackaging.com.
