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Matte vs Gloss Finishes: Choose the Right One for Packaging UK
Find out the distinction between matte and gloss finishes in packaging in the UK. Find out which one suits your brand by reading our ultimate blog post.
Emily Parker
Packaging is not only a box. It is what people are greeted with and shows your brand’s style. It protects your product and helps your business grow. Packaging appears to be better with a good finish. It can be shiny or soft and can feel smooth or fancy. Colours are also brought out with the help of finishes. They get your box strong and clean.
In this blog, we are writing about matte and gloss finishes and the process of selecting the appropriate one to use in the packaging in the UK.
UK Packaging Market Context and Trends
The UK packaging market is expanding at a speedy rate. More brands require a good-looking and strong-feeling packaging. They also desire it to be environmentally friendly. Online shopping is big now. Packaging has to be rough and good-looking.
Premium finishes such as gloss lamination and matt lamination are trendy. They make boxes appear bright or soft. Our company has bespoke finishes which meet the UK regulations. We create packaging in line with your brand and your values.
Understanding Packaging Finishes
What Are Packaging Finishes and Why Are They Used?
Packaging finishes are the last layer on your box or pouch. They protect the print and change how it looks and feels. Some finishes are shiny, and some are soft. Others are smooth.
We use finishes to make packaging look better. They help colours pop. They stop scratches. They make your product look fresh and new.
Types of Finishing
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Matte
Matte finishes are smooth and soft. They don’t shine. They give a calm and classy look. Matte is great for luxury brands. It feels modern and clean.
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Gloss
Gloss finishes are shiny and bright. They reflect light and make colours bold. Gloss is perfect for fun and colourful brands. It grabs attention fast.
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Satin
Satin is between matte and gloss. It has a soft shine. It’s not too dull or too bright. Satin gives a smooth feel and a balanced look.
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Soft-Touch
The finishes are soft touches like velvet. They are soft as well as cosy. This finish adds a premium feel. It’s great for gift boxes and high-end products.
How Finishes Influence Design, Texture, and Light Reflection
Finishes change how your box looks.
Gloss lamination reflects light and makes colours look deep. Matt lamination absorbs light and gives a soft look.
Texture also matters. Gloss feels slick. Matte feels smooth but dry. Soft-touch feels like suede. These textures affect how people feel about your brand.
Designs look different, too. Gloss makes images pop. Matte makes text easy to read. Choosing the right finish helps your design shine.
UK Standards for Packaging Coatings and Finishes
In the UK, packaging finishes must be safe and easy to recycle. Coatings should be safe for food boxes. They must also follow eco rules.
Our company uses lamination material that meets UK standards. We also offer laminated printing that is safe and green. We care about your brand and the planet.
For more details, check our blog on Product Packaging Design.
What Is a Matte Finish?
Characteristics: Smooth, Non-Reflective, Sophisticated Appearance
Matte finishes are soft and smooth. They don’t shine. They give a calm and fancy look. Matte is great for brands that want to look smart and clean.
Common Materials and Coating Methods
- Matte Lamination: A thin film that gives a soft, non-glossy look.
- Matte Varnish: A liquid coating that dries to a flat finish.
- Aqueous Coatings: Water-based and eco-friendly. They give a soft matte feel.
Key Pros and Cons of Matte Packaging
Pros:
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Looks classy and modern
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Easy to read text
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Hides fingerprints
Cons:
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Colours may look dull
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Can scratch easily
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Not as shiny as gloss
What Is a Gloss Finish?
Attributes: High-Impact, Reflective and Shiny Visual Appeal.
Gloss finish is clear and shiny. They are light refracting and colourful. Gloss works well with bold and fun brands. It captures the attention, and it appears to be exciting.
Ordinary Materials and Finishing Procedures:
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Gloss Lamination: It is a clear-coated film that shields and enhances the box.
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UV Gloss Coating: The coating is a glossy finish that is dried under the UV light. It adds shine and strength.
Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Gloss Packaging
Pros:
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Colours look bold and deep
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Strong and water-resistant
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Superior photography and graphics.
Cons:
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Shows fingerprints
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Can glare under lights
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Many are too glitzy for some brands.
Ideal for Vibrant Branding and Retail Shelf Visibility
Gloss is perfect for stores. It glitters in the light and attracts glances. It is effective with toys, snacks and beauty items. Gloss is a good option in case you want to shine.
In Matte vs Gloss: The Major Differences in a Nutshell
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Light Reflection and Texture
Matte feels soft and smooth. Gloss feels slick and shiny. Matte absorbs light. Gloss reflects it. This will alter the appearance of your box in the stores.
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Colour Saturation and Visual Contrast.
Gloss makes colours appear dark and rich. Matte gives a soft, calm look. Gloss is great for photos. Matte is more suitable for text and light colours.
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Fingerprint Resistance and Durability.
Gloss is water-resistant and very strong. But it shows fingerprints. Matte is concealing, but scratching. Select depending on the use of the box.
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Brand Impression (Luxury vs Energy)
Matte feels high-end and calm. Gloss feels fun and bold. Matte is for luxury. Gloss is for energy. Select the one that suits your brand.
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Implications of printing on performance cost.
Laminated printing should be used on both. UV coating has the potential to increase the price of gloss. Matte is cheap and can require additional attention. To learn more about printing, refer to our blog about the difference between Offset and Digital Printing in Packaging.
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The UK Environmental Impact and Recyclability.
Matt and gloss lamination can be recycled when done correctly. Coatings made using water, such as aqueous coatings, are more eco-friendly. We have eco-friendly lamination material, which is used to minimise waste in our company.
Comparison: Boxes and Pouches Matte vs Gloss.
Matte vs Gloss for Boxes
Custom Boxes come in many types. Both have different effects on matte and gloss.
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Gloss makes them stand out on shelves. Matte has a serene, elegant appearance.
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Matte is cosy and warm. Gloss adds excitement.
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Matte is high-quality. Gloss adds shine and fun.
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Matte conceals injuries. Gloss is perfect when it comes to unboxing videos.
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Matte is more appropriate to conceal wear. Gloss is more practical in colour and shine.
Matte vs Gloss for Pouches
Pouches are used for many things. The finish changes how they look and feel.
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Food: Gloss makes food look fresh. Matte gives a natural feel.
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Coffee: Matte feels rich and warm. Gloss shows off bold colors.
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Supplements: Gloss adds energy. Matte feels clean and safe.
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Cosmetics: Matte feels soft and pretty. Gloss looks shiny and fun.
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Pet Products: Gloss grabs attention. Matte feels earthy and kind.
Gloss pouches are great for shelves. They shine and show off colours. Matte pouches feel soft and calm. Choose what fits your product best.
How to Choose the Right Finish for Your Packaging
Decision Checklist Step-by-Step.
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Think about your brand. Is it fun or fancy?
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Look at your product. Is it bold or soft?
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Consider where it can be sold. Online or in stores?
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Choose your finish. Matte for calm. Gloss for shine.
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Ask us for help. We guide you every step.
Tips from UK Packaging Designers
Designers suggest that matte can be used with soft colours and text. Photos must be glossy, and bold prints. Laminate your enclosure with boxes. The best one is laminated printing. We have a blog to suit the colour, What Is the Pantone Matching System and What is CMYK?.
Future of Sustainable Packaging Finishes in the UK
More brands are in demand for green packaging. It consists of the use of safe coatings and recyclable films. There is a rapid growth of aqueous coating. They are water friendly and green. It can be environmentally friendly matte or gloss. It is reliant on the lamination material.
The safe and clever alternatives are implemented in our company. We care about your brand and the world. Cost matters too. Matte is often cheaper. UV finish could make gloss even more expensive. However, they are both cost-effective in a planned way.
Conclusion
Matte or gloss finish choice depends on the style of your brand, the character of your product and your aims. The Matte is plush and classy, and the gloss is shiny and attractive. Both finishes are quite beneficial to boxes and pouches.
Our company is green with solutions that are in accordance with the UK standards. We help you make the correct decision on the finish to your packaging. The Custom Boxes UK is a trustworthy manufacturer of high-quality, strong, and environmentally friendly packaging.
FAQs:
1. Is a matte or glossy finish better?
It is based on the required impact. Matte is soft and velvety to touch, but the glossy finish reflects the light to give a bright and radiant appearance.
2. What are the disadvantages of matte finish?
Fingerprints and smudges are well caught in matte finishes. They also cannot be wiped easily as glossy surfaces.
3. What is the difference between matte and glossy packaging?
The surface of matte packaging is flat and smooth with no shine, and the glossy packaging appears bright and reflects light.
4. What lasts longer, matte or glossy?
Gloss finishes are more resistant to moisture, scratches and time fading and therefore are more durable than matte finishes.
5. What are the disadvantages of glossy paint?
The glossy paint is capable of enhancing cracks and rough areas on walls and sometimes more work on the texture might be needed to have a perfect finish.
6. What is a matte finish used for?
The matte finish makes the packaging, interiors and photos sophisticated and serene and possesses a gentle, contemporary appeal
7. Should walls be matte or eggshell?
Matte is perfect in the low traffic and low traffic areas, whereas eggshell suits areas requiring a soft polish and easy cleaning.
8. What are the three types of finishes?
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matte
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satin
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glossy
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