When it comes to packaging, every detail matters—especially the finish. A high-gloss coating screams luxury, while a sleek matte whispers sophistication. But which one is right for your brand? Matte lamination or gloss lamination? At Packaging Bird, we know this debate well. Some clients swear by the rich vibrancy of gloss lamination, while others demand the elegant subtlety of matte. The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it all depends on your brand’s personality, product, and audience.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- The visual & tactile differences between matte and gloss
- How to choose the perfect finish for your custom packaging
What is Lamination?
Lamination is a process in which a thin film, which is a transparent film, is covered around a material, making it very durable and resilient. Not only does it make it very durable and strong, but it also protects it against any blemishes, scratches, and stains. Products that are used frequently often have lamination because it amplifies the colours and enhances the product’s appearance.
What is Matte Lamination?
Matte lamination is one of the most used types of lamination. A matte laminate surface is a type of lamination that is identifiable by its minimal light reflection and has a granular and dull surface. Matte finish also helps flatten the colours and the surfaces of the packaging. Laminate packaging is used for high-end products and also because it exudes modernism and sophistication. To understand packaging more, read our blog, Tips for Effective E-commerce Packaging
What Does Matte Lamination Look Like?
Matte lamination provides a smooth and non-reflective surface. Matte lamination diffuses light and reduces glare and giving a very muted look. Matte lamination gives a very sophisticated look, and this is very important for products that are text-heavy. Furthermore, with this kind of lamination, you will get a subdued and softer look.
Why Use Matte Lamination?
There are many benefits of matte lamination. Here are some of the benefits of matte lamination:
Vivid Appearance
With matte lamination, you can enhance the readability of the texts, and it is also eye-grabbing. Unlike glossy lamination, the surface of matte lamination is very durable, and it makes the product stand out.
Anti-glare Look
Matte lamination has a very dull surface, which also makes it non-reflective. Packages and products that have matte lamination also enhance design recognition, making it easier for anyone to see what the design is and what is written on the package.
Enhances Readability
Because of the non-reflective and dull surface, it improves the readability of the product. Especially in daylight, you can see what is written on the product since it helps the onlookers with reading and understanding the text and the design.
Strengthens the Packaging
Matte lamination can also make the surface tamper-proof and resilient. Even if you have spilled on the packaging, it will prevent the packaging from staining and fading. This also means that it will improve the shelf life of the packaging. Scratch-free lamination makes the packaging resistant to scratches and marks.
What Is Gloss Lamination?
Gloss lamination, as the name suggests, is the kind of lamination that is famous for its shiny surface. Glossy lamination makes the product and the packaging very vibrant and eye-catching. You get a very shiny surface with gloss lamination. With gloss lamination, you can make the products stand out. This type of packaging is often used for the beauty and skincare industry as well. Famous brands like Fenty Beauty use this kind of lamination as well.
Why Use Gloss Lamination
Gloss lamination is a key player when it ?comes to packaging, and here are some of the benefits of it:
Adds A Glossy Touch
With glossy lamination, you can add a glossy touch to your packaging and products. It makes your product and packaging very shiny. It makes it visually appealing as well.
Makes the Product Chic
With glossy lamination, you can very well show your creativity and make your product look very professional. With glossy lamination, you can also play with the designs and colors a lot.
Protects From Sunlight
Another very key feature is that it adds a protective layer to your packaging and products, and it prevents them from staining and fading as well.
Easy to Peel
Glossy lamination can be peeled off and removed very easily without having to damage the product.
Variety in Designs
Glossy lamination comes in many colors and designs. This adds to the glamour and makes the packaging very charming. Business owners can use this kind of packaging to make their products and packaging stand out.
Matte Lamination VS Gloss Lamination
The debate between matte lamination and gloss lamination has been ongoing for quite some time, with people arguing over which one is superior. We will conduct a thorough comparison of matte and gloss lamination, examining which one is more suitable for your business and packaging needs. The laminating service market is valued at USD 5.21 billion in 2024, and it is projected to reach USD 8.76 billion by 2033. So we can see that the lamination industry already has a lot of potential to grow. Here is a deep comparison:
Appearance
Matte lamination offers a very low-key and subtle look, and it also enhances the perceived quality. It is therefore very good for daily items and materials since it can also enhance readability. Whereas if we talk about gloss lamination, then we see that it gives a shinier look.
Protection and Safety
With matte lamination, we see that it will minimise scratches and scuffs. This is good since it is best for everyday items that are handled every day. Gloss lamination, on the other hand, gives a very shiny and glossy surface, and it protects from smudges, dust, and dirt. It is good for printed items like notebooks.
Writing
Matte lamination can make the writing and ink receptivity very easy, as compared to gloss lamination, which can make it very challenging because of its smooth and glossy texture.
Glare
Matte lamination can stand out in bright light due to reduced reflectiveness. Therefore, it is good for educational materials. Gloss lamination, on the other hand, can cause glare.
When Can We Use Matte Lamination?
Matte lamination is good for everyday materials. It will reduce glare and it also enhances the visibility, which makes it perfect for everyday stationary objects. Other than that, it is also good to add a touch of sophistication for high-end materials. It is to be noted that it has limited handling.
When Can We Use Gloss Lamination?
Gloss lamination is very good for resisting scuffs and smudges. This type of lamination can also be frequently handled. Other than that, it comes in vivid colours and designs as well. People also go for gloss lamination since it is more cost-effective than matte lamination.
Conclusion
Before you decide which lamination to choose, you need to understand the purpose of lamination and the needs of your packaging. Another thing that you need to understand is that both matte lamination and gloss lamination have their drawbacks, but you need to see which one suits your preferences.
FAQs
1. Which lamination is better, matte or glossy?
It depends on your needs. If you are looking for a shinier and glossier surface for your products, then you should go for gloss lamination. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more durable surface, then matte lamination is the one.
2. Which lamination is easier to clean, matte or gloss?
Glossy lamination is easier to clean and maintain. With glossy lamination, you can also resist smudges and dirt easily.
3. Which lamination is more natural, matte or gloss?
When it comes to natural surfaces, then nothing beats matte lamination, as it gives a very natural and non-reflective surface.
