Imagine to be walking down the busy streets of a lively city. As you approach, you notice something extraordinary; it is not a painting but a lamination art. The colors are bright, and the images are exceedingly sharp, making you want to touch them.
If you glide your fingers over the surface, you will find the texture of these laminations to be as good as the look. This is a perfect example of how lamination can make a design attractive by combining matte and gloss textures.
Well, now let’s turn to the more familiar and personal. Have you ever wrestled with using matte or gloss lamination for your flyers or business cards? Both finishes are exceptional and provide their benefits. But what if we could go deeper into this debate to find you the best fit according to your preferences?
Fasten your seat belts; it will be an entertaining and informative ride!
An Overview of Lamination
Lamination is the ace for improving and preserving documents, photos, posters, and custom cardboard boxes. This process adds an extra layer to increase the material’s strength and appearance.
To make it easier, lamination can be seen as the secret strength of your custom boxes, unveiled only after a dramatic change. Lamination transforms mundane packaging into a robust, water-resistant, and long-lasting product. Lamination is your superhero in document and packaging protection from wear and tear!
There are two standout choices for lamination: matte and gloss. Each has unique advantages and attractions, which complicates the matter.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each one and specify their main advantages to choose the right color for your cardboard boxes or any other printed materials.
Elevate Your Prints With Sleek and Sophisticated Matte Lamination
The matte lamination provides a non-shiny, smooth surface with colors that look less vivid but more sophisticated. This makes it suitable for printed materials that require a touch of class yet are not overpowering, such as luxury packaging boxes, brochures, and business cards.
Today, most brands are shifting from glossy lamination to matte lamination for mailer boxes and product packaging. Matte lamination is perfect for embossing and metallic foiling techniques as well as non-toxic, recyclable vegetable inks.
For example, the garments of the luxury clothing brand Ron Dorff come in sleek, matte black lightweight boxes. These boxes are great for marketing a product as the logo is printed on the matte laminated surface, giving off a more refined air.
Benefits of Matte Lamination
- Reduced Glare
This lamination reduces the glare of standard laminations, especially for printed items exposed to bright or direct sunlight. It also keeps the content simple.
- Increased Durability
The protective matte layer ensures that the custom packaging boxes are protected from scratches, stains, and damage and always look as good as new.
- Sophisticated Appearance:
Matte lamination gives the materials an excellent professional touch. In the case of business cards or the packaging of luxurious products, this one has a particular class associated with it that fits a high-end brand identity.

Gloss Lamination: The Secret To Making Your Prints Pop
There is a high gloss finish for the material to cover, which gives a rich color tonality to the designs and makes them more ‘pop.’ This finish is ideal for printed materials such as posters, flyers, and unique custom boxes that need people to take a second look.
Many companies use gloss lamination for custom boxes and packaging because it enhances the appeal and has functional advantages.
Benefits of Gloss Lamination
- Increased Vibrancy
Gloss lamination increases the depth of colors and thus makes the designs on custom packaging and other materials more attractive. It is ideal for products that require vivid, conspicuous shades to popularize them on the market.
- Easy to Clean
The coating applied in gloss lamination is smooth and shiny, so it does not attract dirt and fingerprints. This is especially the case for custom boxes made for multiple handling during the transportation of goods.
- Water Resistance
Gloss lamination offers an additional layer to waterproof materials to prevent water damage. This finish is perfect for various applications, such as outdoor banners, posters, and custom packaging, to keep your designs and prints lasting through different climates.
You can opt for gloss lamination to give your packaging an appealing look and provide functional use for your customized boxes.
The Ultimate Showdown: Matte vs Gloss Face-off
For a better understanding, here’s a table showing what’s the main difference between matte and gloss lamination:
Feature | Matte | Gloss |
Finish Type | Non-reflective, smooth | High-shine, reflective |
Appearance | Subtle, sophisticated | Bold, vibrant |
Best For | Professional, refined materials | Eye-catching, colorful designs |
Durability | Scratch-resistant, long-lasting | Resistant to dirt, easier to clean |
Water Resistance | Moderate (not waterproof) | Highly water-resistant |
Feel | Smooth, velvety touch | Smooth, polished touch |
Use Case | Business cards, luxury packaging | Posters, flyers, promotional materials |
Final Thoughts
All in all, matte and gloss lamination remain two of the most significant decisions to make. Each finish has benefits, and people who like one usually have nothing good to say about the other. Matte lamination gives a smooth and classy look that will suit designs that are best done calmly and elegantly. On the other hand, gloss lamination is more dramatic and colorful, intensifying color and adding a layer of protection.
Last but not least, the decision depends on the peculiarities of your brand and product. But one thing is sure—whether you choose matte or gloss, lamination cannot be underestimated when producing high-quality, long-lasting prints.
Don’t hesitate! Upgrade your packaging by considering the lamination finish that will suit your product and company. With this decision, you are making a step towards making your brand more distinct in the existing market!
Still, have many questions? Contact us, and we will guide you on which lamination best suits your product packaging material.