Choosing the right packaging finishes can transform how customers see and feel about your product. Whether you’re aiming for a bold glossy finishing or a refined matte finish packaging, the right choice affects both appearance and performance. In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between glossy finish, matt finish and paper-touch styles, and help you decide which suits your product best. This is essential reading if you work in food packaging, custom printed packaging, or any sector where packaging design is central to succes.
What Are the Main Pouch Finish Options?
When it comes to pouch finishing options, you’re typically looking at three key styles: matte lamination, gloss lamination, and paper-touch finishes. Each has its own look, feel, and market positioning.
Matte finish packaging creates a softer look that feels premium. It’s common in high end product packaging for products that want a minimal, elegant tone. Gloss lamination, on the other hand, gives a high-shine look with a shiny effect that instantly grabs attention, great for packaging that stands out on crowded shelves. Paper-touch delivers a velvety touch and smooth texture, perfect for tactile engagement.
At Aropack, we help our clients to choose finishes that not only look good but also work well with their custom packaging design, materials, and sustainability goals.
Matte vs Glossy Finish – Which Should You Choose?
The matte vs gloss pouch debate often comes down to how you want your product to be perceived. Matte lamination offers a doesn’t reflect light quality that’s perfect for creating a calm, smooth texture. It’s a common choice for eco friendly packaging that aims for subtlety.
On the other hand, gloss lamination gives a shiny effect and a high-shine look that instantly conveys energy and vibrancy. This works well for packaging that stands out in retail environments, especially when the color for packagingis vivid. In many custom packaging for products, we even combine gloss to matte finish elements for contrast.
How Finish Impacts Product Packaging Perception
Your choice of finish directly influences customer perception. Matte finish packaging often signals high end product packaging because of its matte textures and smooth appearance. This is why it’s often found in packaging for artwork, premium coffee bags, and luxury cosmetics.
Gloss finish tends to be more approachable and vibrant. It’s ideal for custom packaging product lines aimed at younger audiences or products that benefit from a shiny effect and glossy lamination. The right decision here aligns with your overall brand packaging design.
The Role of Reflective Packaging in Shelf Appeal
Reflective packaging using glossy lamination can increase shelf appeal by catching light and drawing the eye. In food packaging, this can mean more attention in competitive aisles. Gloss lamination works particularly well for plastic bags for packaging that need to stand out from a distance.
However, if your brand is about understated elegance, reflective styles may not suit your product and packaging design. That’s where matte lamination comes in, delivering a softer look that reinforces your positioning as a high end product packaging choice.
Packaging Pouches and Durability
Beyond looks, finishes affect durability. Matte lamination resists fingerprints, keeping matte packaging looking clean longer. It’s also common in soft-touch flexible packaging, which adds a tactile edge.
Gloss lamination protects against moisture and enhances color for packaging, making it ideal for bright custom packaging lines. At Aropack, we ensure both gloss to matte finish and single-finish packaging pouches maintain structural integrity during transport and storage.
Why Food Packaging Often Uses Gloss or Matte
In food packaging, finishes serve both practical and branding purposes. Gloss finish can showcase vivid product imagery on printed packaging, while matte finish packaging works for premium goods like gourmet snacks.
Matte lamination is common in artisanal or organic products, giving a natural, matte textures look. Gloss laminationsuits products needing a bright, appetising image, especially for custom packaging for products like confectionery or beverages.
How Packaging Lamination Protects Your Design
Packaging lamination, whether gloss lamination, matte lamination or paper touch finish protects your printed packaging from scratches, moisture, and general wear. This is vital for packaging for artwork or detailed graphics.
At Aropack, our custom packaging design services ensure that lamination choice supports both print longevity and the desired finish, whether you want a high end product packaging appeal or something more functional.
Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality in Printed Packaging
In print and packaging, aesthetics often compete with practicality. Matt finish packaging provides a refined smooth texture, while glossy and matte finish hybrids allow brands to highlight certain design elements.
The best packaging design balances packaging design products with protective qualities. For example, soft-touch flexible packaging offers both tactile engagement and durability for custom packaging lines.
How to Decide Between Glossy and Matte Finish
When choosing between glossy and matte finish, think about your target audience, retail environment, and brand message. Gloss finish draws the eye quickly with its shiny effect, while matte lamination conveys subtle sophistication and high end product packaging cues.
Sometimes, the answer is combining both. Gloss to matte finish contrasts can guide the eye across your custom packaging product, emphasising logos or imagery.
The Aropack Approach to Custom Packaging
At Aropack, we don’t just offer finishes, we offer full custom packaging design and production, from printed packaging to specialist packaging bags. Whether you need matte finish packaging for a luxury brand or gloss lamination for vibrant packaging that stands out, we’ll match materials, finishes, and formats to your market.
We work across industries, from food packaging to plastic bags for packaging, helping brands create high end product packaging that performs on shelf and in the hand.
Key Points to Remember
- Matte lamination = premium, subtle, high end product packaging feel
- Gloss lamination = vibrant, eye-catching, packaging that stands out
- Paper-touch = tactile, velvety touch experience
- Choose finishes based on audience, shelf environment, and product packaging goals
Aropack can integrate any finish into custom packaging for products with durability and print quality in mind. Do you need a sample to decide? Give us a call on 01233 281460 or send us an email at info@aropack.co.uk for a free sample delivery and we’ll arrange it for you.
