When it comes to your product presentation, the packaging design and finishing impact a lot. Using the right finishes can make your packaging feel premium. For this purpose, a soft-touch finish is the perfect option. In the packaging industry, “soft-touch” refers to the finishing options that give a soft, velvety feel when you touch them.
There are two types of finishing options available: soft-touch coating and soft-touch lamination. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between them.
What is Soft-Touch Coating?
Soft-touch coating is a finishing technique in which a liquid is applied during the printing process to create a velvety, smooth, and tactile feel on printing materials. This coating helps resist scuff and fingerprints when being held. This process does not affect the print quality and design. Plus, it’s a cost-effective process.
What is Soft-Touch Lamination?
On the other hand, soft-touch lamination differs from soft-touch coating. It is a finishing technique that involves a plastic, matte film to bond with the surface of your printing material to give it a softer-looking feel. Plus, it makes your printing substrate durable and resists scuffs, fingerprints, and moisture.
The only downside to this finishing option is that it tones down the printing quality, so it best works with dark colors. Moreover, this process is comparatively more expensive than soft-touch coating.
Difference Between Soft-Touch Coating & Soft-Touch Lamination
When it comes to soft-touch coating and lamination, they both differ from each other in various ways. Here is the table summarizing the difference between soft-touch coating vs. soft-touch lamination:
| Feature | Soft-Touch Coating | Soft-Touch Lamination |
| Application | It is applied in printing process and cured with the help of UV light | Applied as an additional finishing process using BOPP film |
| Cost & Efficiency | Budget-friendly and time-efficient | More expensive due to extra processing |
| Color Impact | Maintains the original color quality of printed designs | Can make printed designs appear more muted in tone |
| Material Used | Typically used on paperboard packaging | Uses bi-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film |
| Protection Level | Basic protection for retail-ready packaging | Moisture resistant and enhanced durability |
| Best For | Retail-ready packaging solutions | E-commerce packaging requiring extra protection |
Advantages of Soft-Touch Coating
The soft-touch coating comes with various benefits, some of which are listed below:
- Soft-touch coating provides a matte effect with a luxurious tactile feel.
- This type of coating helps in attracting and engaging customers.
- They reflect your brand image positively.
- Their soft-to-touch velvety feel helps in providing a high-end feel to your high-end products.
- Unlike a matte coating, the soft-touch coating is yellowing-resistant, making custom boxes last longer.
Advantages of Soft-Touch Lamination:
Soft-touch lamination is the perfect choice for an exceptional finish if you are not limited by your budget. This lamination option has a lot of benefits, and we have mentioned some below:
- Soft-touch lamination offers visual and textual benefits.
- It provides a great fresh look to your product packaging for marketing purposes.
- It provides additional protection and prevents corner curling.
- Offer premium finish that resists fingerprints, scratches, and scuff resistance.
How to Choose the Right Option for You
Now that you know about both soft-touch finishing options, you might be wondering which one is best for your packaging. Both provide the same soft-touch effect, but the key difference lies in their cost. If budget is not a concern, soft-touch lamination is the better choice for added durability. However, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, soft-touch coating is the ideal solution for your custom packaging boxes.
You can also check our guidelines on finishing options like matte vs. gloss lamination, embossing, spot UV, and more.
Are you still unsure about which finishing option to choose for your packaging? Contact Dream Custom Boxes for expert help! Our team can assist you in selecting the right finishing option within your budget. Order now!
