Guide / Materials & board grades / Chapter 3.8
Gloss and matt lamination.
Lamination is a thin film over printed board or bags. It protects the print and changes how the packaging looks and feels. Here's how gloss and matt compare, and which suits your brand.
The short answer
Lamination is a thin, clear film bonded over the printed surface. Gloss lamination is shiny and makes colours look rich and bright. Matt lamination has a smooth, low-shine finish that looks understated and premium. Both protect the print from scuffs and moisture. We offer gloss and matt lamination, and on paperboard cosmetic boxes and premium gift bags we can add embossing, debossing and spot UV on request.
What lamination does
- Protects the print from scuffs, fingerprints and light splashes, so packaging looks better for longer. It gives limited splash and scuff resistance, not waterproofing.
- Changes the look: gloss adds shine and colour depth, while matt softens colours and reduces glare.
- Changes the feel: gloss feels slick, while matt feels smooth and low-sheen.
- Strengthens the surface, helping printed paper bags and cartons resist tearing at folds and handles.
Gloss vs matt at a glance
| Gloss lamination | Matt lamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Shiny, bright, high contrast | Low shine, understated |
| Colours | Rich and vivid | Slightly softer and muted |
| Fingerprints | Less noticeable on most colours | Can show marks on dark colours |
| Glare | Reflects light | Little glare, easier to read |
| Feels | Slick and smooth | Smooth and premium |
| Popular for | Bright, colourful brands, food, kids' products | Cosmetics, fashion, premium gifts |
Adding special finishes
On paperboard cosmetic boxes and premium gift bags, we can add special finishes on request:
- Embossing raises a logo or pattern above the surface.
- Debossing presses it into the surface.
- Spot UV adds a glossy coating to selected areas, often a logo on a matt background, for contrast you can see and feel.
Matt lamination with spot UV is a popular combination: the matt background makes the glossy logo stand out.
Where lamination is used
Lamination is used on printed paper surfaces such as paperboard cartons and premium paper gift bags. Our premium gift bags come in gloss or matt laminated finishes. Kraft board is usually left unlaminated so its natural texture shows.
What it means for you
The same question, answered for where your business is today.
Choose your stage at the top of the page to open the advice for you.
Start-up · under 100 units
Stock laminated gift bags in gloss or matt give a polished look without a custom run. Pick the finish that matches your brand's feel.
Try both finishes in your hand before you order printed packaging.
Growing · 100 to 2,499 units
When you move to printed paperboard boxes or premium gift bags, the finish is one of the biggest choices for how your brand feels.
Try this: ask for samples in gloss and matt with your colours, if possible, before your first run.
Enterprise · 2,500 units and more
Specify the lamination and any special finishes in your packaging specification, and keep an approved sample for each product so every run matches.
Special finishes like spot UV and embossing add steps, so allow for them in your timing.
Common mistakes
- 1Choosing gloss for dark, minimal designs. Gloss can show glare and look busy on dark, minimal artwork. Matt often suits it better.
- 2Choosing matt for bright, colourful artwork. Matt softens colours. If vivid colour matters most, gloss may suit better.
- 3Adding every finish at once. One special finish, such as a spot UV logo, usually has more impact than several.
- 4Forgetting fingerprints on matt black. Dark matt surfaces can show marks. Consider how the packaging will be handled.
Lamination questions
What is lamination on packaging?
What's the difference between gloss and matt lamination?
Do you offer soft-touch lamination?
Can you add embossing or spot UV?
Is laminated packaging recyclable?
Keep reading
Laminated packaging
Choosing a finish?
Tell us about your product and brand, and our Melbourne team will suggest the finish that suits it, usually within 1 business day.