Soft-Touch Lamination
Here, we look at matte lamination, discuss its advantages, compare it with gloss lamination, and give examples of several of the most popular applications of matte laminate for common print projects.
What Is Soft-Touch Lamination?
Soft-touch lamination is also known as “velvet”, “cello”, and “peachy” lamination. Lamination is the method by which we stick a transparent soft-touch surface plastic film to the surface of a paper sheet using heat and pressure to bond it to the paper. We can add laminates to just one side of the paper or to both sides depending on the needs of the project in hand and the result you want to achieve. Soft-touch lamination is one of three similar laminates, each with unique properties and effects. The others are gloss lamination and matte lamination.
Manufacturers produce laminates in several thicknesses, ranging from near-rigid sheets to very thin, flexible ones. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the most used to manufacture heavier laminates, while the lighter ones are frequently made from Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA). PET can be recycled with ease and it's often manufactured from pre-existing recycled PET products. Because of this “closed loop” process, it's thought of as among the most environmentally friendly plastics. EVA is rarely recycled at the moment. But recently, biodegradable forms of the material have been developed and are becoming increasingly available in the marketplace.
Similar to matte lamination, soft-touch laminate gives a subtle, velvety sheen to the printed page. But it doesn't offer as much protection against wear-and-tear as either gloss or matte versions. In fact, it can be rather more prone to scuffing and marking with fingerprints, for example. But despite these practical limitations, soft-touch lamination is a popular choice for upmarket, high-end print products because of its soft appearance and delightful texture. To the touch, it's like velvet or suede. One important factor to bear in mind, however, is that we can only do soft-touch lamination on paper that's thicker than 105 gsm. With thinner paper, it doesn't work.
The Advantages of Soft-Touch Lamination
Is Soft-Touch Lamination the Right Choice for Your Print Product?
Soft-touch lamination may or may not be the best option for your project. Its suitability depends on factors like the type of product, your target market, and your budget. As a premium finish, soft-touch lamination is more expensive than gloss or matte alternatives and is often associated with luxury goods. Let’s explore the key advantages of soft-touch lamination to help you decide.
Advantages of Soft-Touch Lamination
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Velvety Texture
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Soft-touch lamination creates a velvety, sophisticated surface that enhances the tactile appeal of your printed materials. This unique texture adds a luxurious and high-end feel that leaves a lasting impression.
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Moderate Protection
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While it offers less durability compared to gloss or matte lamination, soft-touch lamination still provides some protection against handling and environmental conditions, far better than leaving materials unlaminated.
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Compatibility with Special Finishes
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Soft-touch lamination pairs beautifully with special finishes like metallic foil stamping, embossing, and spot UV coating. These elements “pop” against the soft, velvety background, creating a striking visual contrast.
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Enhanced Perceived Value
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By adding a luxurious touch, soft-touch lamination significantly increases the perceived value of your product. Items with this finish are more likely to be kept, enjoyed, shared, and treasured.
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Extended Product Lifespan
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Compared to unlaminated materials, soft-touch lamination enhances the longevity of your printed pieces, making them more resistant to wear over time.
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Classy, High-End Appeal
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Soft-touch lamination lends your print materials a refined and elegant look and feel, appealing to both visual and tactile senses, making it ideal for luxury-oriented markets.
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Applications of Soft-Touch Lamination
These benefits make soft-touch lamination a popular choice for projects targeting premium markets, including:
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Books and Catalogs: For a luxurious, upscale feel.
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Board Games: Enhances components for adult-oriented or high-end games.
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Custom Paper Boxes: Perfect for luxury packaging, such as cosmetics or gift boxes.
Making the Choice
While soft-touch lamination offers many advantages, it’s not always the best fit. It’s important to weigh its benefits against your specific needs, budget, and target audience. Gloss or matte lamination may still meet your requirements at a lower cost.
To help you decide, let’s compare soft-touch lamination with the two most popular alternatives: gloss and matte lamination. This comparison will provide a clearer picture of which option is best suited to your project.
Soft-Touch Lamination
Gloss Lamination
Matte Lamination
These unique qualities of soft-touch lamination make it a top choice for luxury print materials requiring a more refined and sophisticated presentation. Unlike the high-gloss shine of gloss lamination or the understated finish of matte, soft-touch lamination provides a velvety texture and upscale appeal.
Choosing between gloss, matte, and soft-touch lamination is an important decision, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice will depend on several factors, including the nature of your product, your target audience, and your budget. To help you better understand its applications, here are some of the most popular ways our clients use soft-touch lamination.
Popular Applications for Soft-Touch Lamination
The Power of Soft-Touch Lamination in Luxury Print Products
Soft-touch lamination is a versatile and effective way to elevate a wide range of print products, transforming them into premium, high-end offerings. This lamination adds a velvety, tactile finish that distinguishes your products from the ordinary and positions them in the affluent market. Let’s explore how soft-touch lamination enhances several popular printed products:
1. Art and Coffee-Table Books
Art and coffee-table books are more than just books—they’re style statements. These publications often feature high-quality art reproductions or stunning photography. While gloss or matte lamination may be ideal for vibrant interior pages, applying soft-touch lamination to the cover adds an irresistible sophistication that captures attention and invites engagement.
2. Luxury Product Catalogs
Soft-touch lamination is the perfect choice for catalogs aimed at the luxury market. Designed to appeal to affluent demographics, these catalogs showcase premium products with an emphasis on quality and style. The velvety finish of soft-touch lamination enhances the tactile and visual experience, aligning perfectly with the expectations of discerning customers.
3. Custom Printed Boxes
For luxury packaging, soft-touch lamination elevates custom printed boxes beyond their functional purpose, turning them into an integral part of your brand’s image. The soft-touch surface conveys a sense of exclusivity and quality, seamlessly complementing high-end products and resonating with customers who value attention to detail.
4. Deluxe Board Games
Board games cater to diverse audiences, but the deluxe end of the market targets consumers seeking premium experiences. For these high-end games, soft-touch lamination on the game board, box, or components provides an extra layer of elegance, enhancing the product’s presentation and perceived value.
The Value of Soft-Touch Lamination
As the above examples illustrate, soft-touch lamination is an excellent choice for products targeting the luxury market. While it is more expensive than gloss or matte lamination, its ability to elevate your materials and appeal to a high-end audience often delivers a strong return on investment.
If your goal is to captivate an affluent demographic with sophisticated, high-quality print products, soft-touch lamination may be the perfect solution. Its unique appeal combines visual elegance and tactile luxury, ensuring your products stand out in a competitive market.
