Some packaging you just don’t want to put down. Often the reason is a soft-touch surface. It feels velvety soft, similar to peach skin or velour. Here is what soft-touch lamination is, what benefits it offers and what to bear in mind.
What is soft-touch lamination?
In soft-touch lamination, a special, very thin film is laminated onto the printed board or paper. Its surface has a microscopically fine texture. This creates the typical velvety feel and an elegant, deep matt look. Alternatively, soft-touch varnishes create a similar effect without film.
The benefits
- A special feel: customers pick up the packaging and remember the sensation. This creates an emotional connection with the brand.
- Elegant look: the deep matt surface makes colours look rich and calm. This suits dark shades especially well.
- Protection: the film protects the print against moisture and abrasion.
- The perfect base for accents: hot foil and spot UV coating stand out with particular contrast on soft-touch.
Ideal combinations
- Soft-touch + hot foil: a gold or silver logo on a velvety base, the classic for premium packaging. More in our article Hot foil stamping.
- Soft-touch + spot UV coating: glossy elements on a matt surface, visible and tactile
- Soft-touch + embossing: raised logos you can feel with your fingers
Where soft-touch works especially well
- Cosmetics packaging and perfume boxes
- Electronics and technology packaging
- Gift boxes and premium packaging
- Packaging for spirits, chocolate and jewellery
- Brochure covers, folders and business cards
Things to bear in mind
- Colour effect: soft-touch slightly mutes colours. Very light or bright shades look somewhat more restrained. A sample shows the exact effect.
- Wear: depending on the version, very dark surfaces can show marks from frequent handling or rubbing. For shipping, an additional outer box is therefore recommended.
- Sustainability: lamination is a thin plastic layer. If you are aiming for cardboard packaging that is as close to mono-material as possible, you can use soft-touch varnish instead or apply the effect only to parts of the surface.
Soft-touch or regular matt film?
Both look matt, but only soft-touch has the velvety feel. Matt film is somewhat cheaper and suitable when appearance matters most. Soft-touch pays off when your packaging should also win people over through touch. Read more about choosing a surface in our article Matt or gloss.
Would you like to experience the soft-touch feel yourself? Order our free sample pack. We will be happy to advise you on the right finish and send you a binding quote within 24 hours.
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