Finishes · Lamination
Lamination: matt, gloss and soft-touch
Lamination is a thin clear film bonded over printed board. It protects the print from scuffs, moisture and handling, and it sets the look and feel of the box: matt, gloss or soft-touch. Free Lamination is standard on every order, so the real question is which finish suits your product. This page compares all three honestly, including where each one struggles, so you can choose with confidence.
Overview
How lamination works and what each finish does
A laminating machine bonds a clear film, usually polypropylene, to the printed sheet with adhesive, heat and pressure. It happens after printing and before cutting and creasing, so the film covers the whole printed face. On a mailer box the printed sheet is laminated before it is mounted to the corrugated flute; on a rigid box the printed wrap is laminated before it is glued over the greyboard.
Matt lamination diffuses light. There is no glare under shop lighting, colours look slightly softer and blacks slightly less deep, and the box reads as calm and considered. It is the most versatile finish and the best base for spot UV and foil blocking, because glossy and metallic details stand out against it. It can show rub marks where boxes are scuffed together.
Gloss lamination reflects light. Colours look brighter and more saturated, photographs look vivid, and the surface wipes clean easily. It suits bold, colourful retail and food packaging. The trade-offs are glare under bright lights, fine scratches that catch the light, and a look some brands find less premium than matt.
Soft-touch lamination is a matt film with a special surface coating that feels velvety, close to suede. Colours sit deep and muted, and the box feels expensive in the hand, which is why it is popular for cosmetics, fragrance and gifting. It is the least forgiving of the three: it marks with fingerprints and grease, and rubbing can polish shiny patches into it. Anti-scuff soft-touch films reduce this but do not remove it.
Film is not the only protective finish. Liquid coatings, such as aqueous (water-based) coating and UV varnish, are applied on the press like ink. They give less protection and a less even feel than film, but they avoid a separate film layer. If recyclability is part of your brief, raise it at specification stage so the finish is chosen with it in mind.
Specification
Typical specification
| Specification | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matt lamination | Film typically 15–30 µm | Low glare and restrained colour; the best base for spot UV and foil, and the most versatile finish. |
| Gloss lamination | Film typically 15–30 µm | High shine and brighter colour, easy to wipe clean; shows glare and fine scratches. |
| Soft-touch lamination | — | Velvety matt surface with deep, muted colour; marks with fingerprints and rubbing. |
| Anti-scuff matt or soft-touch | — | A harder-wearing film surface for boxes that are handled a lot, posted or stacked. |
| Aqueous or UV coating (alternative) | — | Liquid coatings applied on the press: lighter protection and no separate film layer. |
Best for
Where it works best
Cosmetics and fragrance
Soft-touch or matt for a premium, low-glare finish, often with spot UV or foil.
Food and confectionery retail
Gloss for bright, appetising colour that wipes clean on the shelf.
Printed mailer boxes
Matt or anti-scuff film protects printed sheets through courier handling.
Rigid box wraps
Laminated wraps protect print where the paper turns over edges and corners.
Supplements and health
Matt for a clean, clinical look that keeps small text readable under shop lights.
Photographic artwork
Gloss keeps photographs vivid; matt softens them for a calmer look.
Limitations
Where it falls short
- Soft-touch marks with fingerprints and grease, and rubbing can leave shiny patches; anti-scuff grades help but do not prevent it.
- Gloss shows glare under shop lights and fine scratches from handling and transit.
- Lamination adds a thin plastic film to paper board; if recyclability matters to your brief, discuss it at specification stage.
- Film can lift or crack slightly at tight creases on heavy board or dark colours; correct creasing reduces it.
- Lamination changes colour slightly: matt and soft-touch soften it, gloss brightens it. Judge proofs with the finish in mind.
- On kraft board, lamination darkens the surface and flattens its natural texture.
Pairs with
Works well with
Finish
Spot UV
Spot UV on matt or soft-touch gives the strongest shine-and-matt contrast.
Read moreFinish
Foil blocking
Foil sits cleanly on laminated board; soft-touch needs a compatible foil.
Read moreMaterial
Folding boxboard and SBS
The most common base for laminated folding cartons.
Read moreProduct
Rigid boxes
Laminated wraps protect printed rigid boxes at the edges.
Read moreProduct
Mailer boxes
Laminated printed sheets resist scuffing in transit.
Read more
Compare
Matt vs gloss vs soft-touch lamination
| Feature | Matt | Gloss | Soft-touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Low glare, calm | Shiny, reflective | Deep, velvety matt |
| Colour | Slightly softened | Brightest and most saturated | Rich but muted |
| Feel | Smooth and dry | Slick | Soft, suede-like |
| Fingerprints and scuffs | Some rub marks | Fine scratches show in the light | Most prone to marks and polishing |
| Under shop lights | No glare | Glare and reflections | No glare |
| With spot UV and foil | Strong contrast | Foil works; spot UV has little contrast | Strongest contrast with compatible materials |
| Best for | Most brands and products | Colourful retail and food | Cosmetics, fragrance, gifting |
How to choose
How to choose a lamination
Choose matt if you are unsure
Matt suits almost every product, reads well under shop lights and gives spot UV and foil their best contrast. It is the safe, versatile default.
Choose gloss for colour and photography
If the artwork is bright, colourful or photographic and should look vivid on the shelf, gloss gives the most saturated result and wipes clean easily.
Choose soft-touch for touch-led premium
Soft-touch makes a box feel expensive. Choose it when the box is opened and handled with care, and plan for marks if it will be handled a lot.
Plan the finishes that go on top
Spot UV needs matt or soft-touch underneath to show. Foil works on all three, but soft-touch needs a foil made for its coating.
Think about the journey
Mailer boxes rub against each other and against courier bags. Matt or anti-scuff film copes better than gloss or standard soft-touch.
Judge colour with the finish in mind
Lamination shifts colour slightly. When you approve your proof, remember matt and soft-touch soften colours and gloss brightens them.
Finished work
Lamination on finished packaging
Lamination
Lamination questions
Questions buyers ask
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteWhat is the difference between matt and gloss lamination?
Matt lamination diffuses light for a low-glare, restrained finish with slightly softer colours. Gloss lamination reflects light, making colours brighter and more saturated but showing glare and fine scratches. Matt is the more versatile choice; gloss suits bold, colourful artwork.
What is soft-touch lamination?
Soft-touch is a matt laminate with a special surface coating that feels velvety, close to suede. Colours look deep and muted. It is popular for cosmetics, fragrance and gift packaging because the box feels premium the moment it is picked up.
Does soft-touch lamination scratch or mark?
Yes, more than matt or gloss. It picks up fingerprints and grease, and rubbing can polish shiny patches into the surface. Anti-scuff soft-touch films reduce marking but do not remove it, so consider how much the box will be handled.
Is lamination included?
Free Lamination is standard on every order. Tell us whether you want matt, gloss or soft-touch, and your quotation confirms the lamination for your specification.
Does lamination change my colours?
Slightly. Matt and soft-touch soften colours and make blacks a little less deep; gloss makes colours look brighter and more saturated. Judge your proof with the chosen finish in mind, and use Pantone references where brand colours must be consistent.
Can I have spot UV or foil on laminated boxes?
Yes. Both are applied on top of the lamination. Spot UV needs matt or soft-touch underneath to create contrast, and soft-touch needs a varnish or foil made to bond with its coating.
Is laminated packaging recyclable?
Lamination adds a thin plastic film to paper board, and how laminated board is handled depends on local collection and the reprocessing mill. We do not make blanket claims. If it matters to your brief, we can discuss unlaminated board or liquid coatings at specification stage.
What is the difference between lamination and varnish?
Lamination is a film bonded over the print; varnish or aqueous coating is a liquid applied on the press. Film gives more protection and a more even feel; liquid coatings are lighter and avoid a film layer. Spot UV is a varnish applied to selected areas only.
Ready to specify your packaging?
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