Soft Touch Coating Vs Soft Touch Lamination For Packaging

1. What is soft touch coating?

It is a printing process used to obtain a soft-touch finish, which is famous for its rapid drying time.

This type of coating preserves the quality of the colours used in artwork designs and provides a soft finish to the surface.

The fact that it can be applied during the printing process makes soft-touch finishes the most affordable on the market.

Resistant to fingerprints and scuff marks, soft touch finishes offer a high-quality finish at a low cost and in a short amount of time.

The finish can be adjusted according to the thickness of the surface, making it a flexible and convenient solution for developing luxury packaging designs.

2. What is soft touch lamination?

Soft touch lamination, on the other hand, is applied to the surface of printed paperboard using a plastic laminate film.

This form of lamination provides a moisture barrier that is resistant to fingerprints and scuffs.

However, it does give printed artwork a more subdued appearance, which can contribute to the sophisticated impression of darker colours.

Laminates are generally an expensive finishing material because the finishing process involves extra steps.

Nevertheless, they do offer additional strength and durability to packaging solutions and are thus a common application in e-commerce packaging, as they can ensure packaging quality throughout shipping.

3. What is the difference between soft-touch coating and lamination?

Either soft-touch coating or a laminate film can be applied to achieve a soft-to-the-touch look.

Soft-touch coating is less expensive and time-consuming than soft-touch lamination. The coating is applied during the printing process and cured with UV light, which does not affect the quality of the printed designs. It is normally applied to paperboard packaging solutions for retail-ready packaging.

Soft-touch lamination involves the use of bi-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, which is deposited in another finishing process. Soft-touch laminates are moisture-resistant and make printed designs look more subdued. It offers superior protective properties, making it suitable for e-commerce packaging.

Note: soft touch is the process of giving a printing material a velvety feel.

4. Advantages of soft-touch coating

Overall, the soft-touch finish gives a sophisticated matte appearance and a luxurious feel.

These features can improve customer interaction and create a positive brand image.

Consider soft-touch coating if you want a soft appearance and feel, prints that do not fade or turn yellow, and alternatives in surface thickness.

Also known as soft, velvet or gentle touch, soft-touch coating is a powerful and useful finishing solution that creates a high-end feel for brands and products.

Unlike matte coatings, soft touch coatings are resistant to yellowing, so they can be stored for longer without compromising the quality of the packaging design.

5. Advantages of soft-touch lamination

If you have a flexible budget, this is a great way to achieve an outstanding, unique finish.

Soft touch lamination enhances the visual and tactile appeal of your packaging.

Adding a soft-touch laminate is an effective way to make your company's marketing materials look fresh and professional.

• Another protective measure

• Prevents the corners from curling after prolonged use

• Fingerprint-resistant

• Scratch- and scuff-resistant

• Premium finish

• Provides more grip and is pleasant to the touch

For other types of finishes, visit our website.

• Spot UV

• Embossing

• Window Patching

• Foil stamping

Do you need special finishes for your custom packaging supplies?

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