MATT LAMINATE
What it is A flat, non-reflective film applied to the surface of the printed sheet. Matt laminate has no sheen and diffuses light evenly across the surface.
What it looks and feels like Clean, flat, and professional. Matt laminate gives print a refined quality without any shine. Colours appear slightly softer than on gloss but the overall result feels considered and modern. In the hand it is smooth with a subtle resistance to the touch.
Best for Brochures, booklet covers, business cards, presentation folders, annual reports, and any product where a professional, understated finish is the goal. Matt is the most versatile laminate option and suits the widest range of applications.
What to watch out for Matt laminate can show scuff marks and fingerprints on dark or solid colour designs over time, particularly with heavy handling. For products that will be handled constantly, anti-scuff laminate is a better choice.
One thing worth knowing Matt laminate is the base for spot UV and high build UV finishes. If you are planning either of those specialty finishes, matt laminate is not optional. It is what makes the contrast between the flat base and the gloss UV elements work.
SOFT TOUCH LAMINATE
What it is A specialty laminate with a velvety, tactile surface that feels completely different to any other laminate option. Soft touch is the premium end of lamination and the finish that gets the most comments from people who handle it for the first time.
What it looks and feels like The surface has a distinctly velvety, suede-like texture. Running your hand across a soft touch laminated surface feels like running it across a peach skin. Colours appear rich and deep under the soft touch surface. It is immediately recognisable as a premium finish.
Best for Premium business cards, luxury packaging, high-end brochure and booklet covers, corporate gifting products, branded notebooks, and any product where the tactile experience of picking it up is part of the brand impression. Soft touch is the finish of choice for brands that want to communicate quality at the moment of first contact.
What to watch out for Soft touch laminate shows fingerprints more readily than matt or anti-scuff. This is the trade-off for the premium feel. For products that will be handled constantly by many people, anti-scuff may be a more practical choice. For products where the first impression matters most, soft touch is worth it.
One thing worth knowing Soft touch combined with spot UV or high build UV creates one of the most impressive print finishes available. The contrast between the velvety matt soft touch base and the raised or gloss UV elements is dramatic and immediately noticeable. If you are considering spot UV, soft touch is worth the upgrade from standard matt.
GLOSS LAMINATE
What it is A high sheen film applied to the surface of the printed sheet. Gloss laminate intensifies colour and gives print a bright, reflective finish.
What it looks and feels like Shiny, vivid, and reflective. Colours appear more saturated under gloss laminate than any other option. The surface is smooth and clearly reflective in direct light.
Best for Photography-heavy products where colour vibrancy is the priority. Flyers, posters, and retail point of sale where maximum colour impact matters more than a premium feel.
What to watch out for Gloss laminate is becoming less common in commercial print as the industry moves toward matt and soft touch finishes. It can feel dated on premium brand applications and shows fingerprints easily. It is also not suitable as a base for spot UV as the contrast between gloss laminate and gloss UV is minimal.
One thing worth knowing If you are considering gloss laminate, it is worth asking whether matt might serve the design better. For most brand applications matt or soft touch will give a more considered result. Gloss is most at home on high volume retail and promotional print where colour impact is the priority.
ANTI-SCUFF LAMINATE
What it is A specialist matt laminate with a hardened surface coating that resists scuffing, scratching, and marking significantly better than standard matt laminate. The finish looks similar to matt laminate but performs considerably better under heavy handling.
What it looks and feels like Very similar to standard matt laminate in appearance. The surface is flat and non-reflective. The difference is not in how it looks but in how it holds up. Under daily handling anti-scuff laminate stays looking clean and unmarked where standard matt would show wear.
Best for Dark and solid colour business cards where scuff marks are most visible. Menus and hospitality products that get wiped down and handled multiple times a day. Any product that needs to maintain a professional appearance under constant use.
What to watch out for Anti-scuff laminate costs slightly more than standard matt. For products that do not see heavy handling the upgrade is not necessary. For products that do, it is worth every cent.
One thing worth knowing Dark solid colour designs on standard matt laminate will show scuff marks quickly, often within the first week of use. If your business card, menu, or cover design has large areas of dark colour, anti-scuff is the right laminate choice. It is one of those decisions that is easy to make upfront and hard to fix after production.
ENCAPSULATION LAMINATE
What it is Full encapsulation seals both sides of a printed sheet inside a continuous laminate film, completely enclosing the stock. Unlike standard lamination which coats the surface, encapsulation wraps around all edges creating a fully waterproof, sealed product.
What it looks and feels like Encapsulated products feel rigid and substantial. The laminate extends slightly beyond the print edge on all sides and is heat sealed to form a complete barrier. The surface can be matt or gloss depending on the film specified. Colour reproduction is clean and accurate with no colour shift.
Best for Menus that need to be fully waterproof and wipe clean. ID cards and access passes. Staff badges and event credentials. Any product that needs to withstand repeated exposure to moisture, cleaning products, or heavy daily use. Encapsulation is the only truly waterproof lamination option.
What to watch out for Encapsulation is more expensive than surface lamination and the process takes longer. The sealed edge adds a small amount to the overall dimensions of the finished product which needs to be accounted for in design. Not necessary for products that do not need waterproofing.
One thing worth knowing For hospitality menus, encapsulation is almost always the right choice over standard lamination. A fully encapsulated menu can be wiped down with cleaning products, submerged briefly, and handled by hundreds of customers without deteriorating. The cost difference over the life of a menu that lasts two to three times longer is significant.
QUICK COMPARISON
| Laminate | Feel | Waterproof | Relative Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloss | Shiny, smooth | No | Low | Retail flyers, posters, photography |
| Matt | Flat, smooth | No | Low-mid | Brochures, booklets, business cards |
| Anti-scuff | Flat, hardened | No | Mid | Dark business cards, menus, heavy use |
| Soft Touch | Velvety, tactile | No | Mid-high | Premium cards, luxury covers, gifting |
| Encapsulation | Rigid, sealed | Yes | High | Menus, ID cards, event credentials |