Finishes play an important role in adding a professional look to printed objects. Matte and gloss are two core finishes extensively used in the printing and packaging industry. These finishes are used to enhance the aesthetic appeal, protect the printed design, and improve the tactile experience. If you have a product-based business, you must know matt vs gloss finishes to choose the one that aligns with your products’ packaging needs.
Matte finishes result in a velvety touch with a subtle effect. On the other hand, gloss finishes add a shiny effect to the packaging with a silky touch and feel. Read on to explore the comprehensive difference between matte and glossy finishes!
Difference Between Lamination and Finishes
Understanding the difference between lamination and finishes helps you get a better idea about matte vs gloss finishes. Some people often confuse lamination with coatings or finishes. Both lamination and finish are different things. The main difference between lamination and coating/finishing lies in their material, process, and appeal.
What is lamination? The answer to this question is that it is a process of applying an additional layer of plastic on the packaging for a glossy or matte effect. In contrast, coating is a process in which a liquid coat is directly applied to the surfaces. The liquid coat is cured with UV light for a better application on the materials.
What is Matte Finish?
Let’s break down matte vs gloss finishes into small pieces for better understanding. Starting with the conceptual understanding of matte finish. The process of applying a matte liquid, which is cured with ultraviolet light, for an even application on the surface, is called matte coating or finish.
It results in a dull and non-reflective surface that absorbs light rather than reflecting it. A matte finish is also known as a flat finish. If you want to achieve a subdued look for a packaging or printing material, a matte finish is the best.
What is Gloss Finish?
Knowing the basic concept of gloss finish is important to understand the matte vs gloss debate. A specific liquid cured with UV light to apply on surfaces like printed photos, packaging, and artwork to achieve a shiny and reflective appeal is called gloss finish. The glossy effect of gloss finish results in a clean, professional, and high-sheen finish.
Gloss finish is ideal for retail packaging to help your products stand out from the competition. You should choose a gloss finish if you want to enhance the unique designs. Likewise, a layer of glossy finish on printed brooches and promotional materials adds a polished look, attracting customers.
What are Matte and Gloss Laminations?
As we discussed earlier, lamination and coating are different. So, do the matte finish and lamination. Matte lamination is achieved by applying a matte plastic film to the surface and securing it with heat and pressure. As a result of a laminating process, a matte plastic finish is achieved that provides a smooth, non-reflective finish to printed materials.
On the other hand, a gloss plastic film is applied to the printed surfaces with the help of heat and pressure to achieve the high-sheen effect. In short, the process of achieving a glossy or matte look is different in lamination and coating. This way, you can better understand the matte finish vs glossy finish debate.
Pros and Cons of Matte Lamination?
What to choose from gloss vs matte lamination? The answer to this question lies in the pros and cons of matte and gloss lamination pros and cons. Here are some pros and cons of matte mod podge vs gloss lamination:
Pros of Matte Lamination
The following are some advantages of matte lamination you should never ignore while understanding matte vs gloss finishes:
- Durability: The plastic matte lamination makes it more durable.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Muted appeal adds a classy touch to the printed packaging.
- Tear Resistant: The use of plastic film prevents tears and scratches.
- Tactile Experience: Subdued look and feel improve tactile experience.
- Non-Reflective: Enhance the readability of text on the surfaces.
Cons of Matte Lamination
The following are a few disadvantages of matte lamination you should know when exploring matte vs gloss finishes:
- Untidy: Looks bad as it shows marks and finger smudges.
- Costly: Compared to a matte finish, lamination is expensive.
- Less Color Stability: The color of lamination may fade over time.
- Complicated Process: The process of applying plastic film needs careful attention.
Pros and Cons of Gloss Lamination?
Here are some pros and cons of gloss lamination, which helps you understand mod podge matte vs gloss laminations:
- Reflective Appearance: Shiny texture grabs attention at first glance.
- Water-Resistant: The use of plastic film makes gloss lamination waterproof.
- Enhanced Appeal: The vibrant color and designs look more visible with gloss lamination.
- Optimum Protection: Application of gloss film protects the printed design for a longer time.
Advantages of Matte Finishes
Matte and gloss are extensively used in printing and packaging to highlight the unique designs because design influences customers’ purchasing decisions. However, both finishes have some pros and cons. Opposite of glossy finish, matte finish comes with the following benefits:
Pros of Matte Finish
The following benefits of a matte finish help you choose the right finish when exploring matte vs gloss finishes:
- Velvety Feel: Matte finish results in velvety appeal.
- High Color Stability: It has more color stability than matte lamination.
- Cost-Effective: Matte finish is pocket-friendly as compared to lamination.
- Exude Premium Appeal: A muted and subtle look conveys a sense of luxury.
Disadvantages of Matte Finishes
Matte finish has some boon and some bane, like anything. The following are a few cons you may consider when choosing between matte vs gloss finishes:
Cons of Matte Finish
Here are some cons of a matte finish you should know:
- Flimsy: Matte finish is not as durable as lamination.
- Costly: It is more expensive than gloss coating.
- Prone to Smudges: Matte finished surfaces need maintenance to avoid smudges and scratches.
Pros of Glossy Finishes
Let’s discuss some benefits of a glossy finish while continuing the matte vs gloss finishes debate:
Benefits of Gloss Finish
Here are some advantages of gloss finish that make it ideal to apply on printed surfaces:
- Improved Tactile Experience: Gloss coating results in a silky touch and feel.
- Pocket-Friendly: Compared to lamination, gloss coating/finish is affordable.
- Easy Application: UV light makes it easier to cure and apply the liquid coating on surfaces.
Cons of Glossy Finishes
The following are a few disadvantages of glossy finishes you may look into to choose the right one when exploring matte vs gloss finishes:
- Less Durable: Gloss coating can fade over time.
- Low Text Visibility: The reflective appeal of the gloss finish makes it difficult for users to read the text.
Uses of Matte Finishes
Almost every product-based industry uses a matte finish to add a premium appeal to product packaging. Luxury gift packaging is mostly coated with a matte finish to exude luxury and classy appeal. Apparel is packed in muted packaging finishes with matte coating. Business cards are often coated with a matte finish. Some high-end retail products like watches and books have matte-finished boxes.
Uses of Gloss Finishes
Gloss finish is extensively used in printing, retail, and the gift industry to highlight the design elements on the surfaces. Most developed photos and artwork are coated with a gloss finish to ensure the print remains protected while enhancing the design. From food to toys, almost every product placed on retail shelves is customized with a glossy finish to catch customers’ attention at first glance. Most waterproof packaging labels and stickers are coated with a glossy effect to enhance the brand's visibility.
Matte Vs Gloss Finishes: Key Differences
Let’s conclude the discussion about matte vs gloss finishes with the key differences, which help you decide what to choose. The following are some major differences between matte and gloss finishes:
The above table is making it easier to understand the core differences between matte vs gloss finishes. You can choose what suits your products’ needs, brand persona, and budget.Still have questions about matte vs gloss finishes? Feel free to contact us for more information. We would love to answer any questions!
