Matte vs Glossy: Which Is Better for Custom Packaging?

Matte and glossy finish are two popular options for custom packaging. Matte finish offers a sophisticated and muted look while glossy finish creates a shiny and reflective appearance. Which you choose can affect how your printing looks and how long it lasts.

In this article, we will look into the differences between matte and glossy finish to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s start.

What is matte?

A matte finish is a premium surface treatment that creates a smooth, non-shiny appearance. By absorbing light rather than reflecting it, matte finishes offer a subtle and muted aesthetic. Additionally, they eliminate glare, making texts easy to read under direct lighting.

In packaging, matte print is typically achieved through two methods, matte coating and matte lamination. For matte coating, a thin layer of matte varnish is applied to the paperboard. This is a highly cost-effective option for large production runs on a budget. But it provides less protection against moisture and handling. At Opack, we use matte lamination to produce high-quality prints. We apply a plastic film layer on the paperboard. It provides better protection against moisture, scratches, and wear.

Pros and cons of matte

Matte finishes provide a subtle and sophisticated look. It can be used to add a high-end feel to your custom boxes. However, this finish may dull vibrant colors and graphics when it diffuses reflected lights.

Learn about the pros and cons of matte finishes below.

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Offer a premium and elegant appearance

Matte finishes deliver a soft, sophisticated look that is often associated with luxury products. They can add a premium feel to your products.

Easier to read under light

Because matte surfaces are non-reflective, printed text and graphics remain easier to view under bright lighting.

Fingerprints resistant

Compared with glossy finishes, matte surfaces are less likely to show fingerprints, smudges, and small surface flaws.They require less maintaining.

Easy to write on

The smooth yet non-slippery surfaces make matte prints easy to write on, ideal for personalized notes or signatures.

Cons

Dulled colors

Matte prints can reduce light reflection, which may cause dulled colors. If you need vibrant and high contrast colors, this finish type might not work for you.

Provide less protection

Without lamination, matte coating alone provides limited protection and can be more prone to scuffs and wear.  

Higher pricing

Matte lamination is often a premium finish for high-end packaging. It may cost higher than standard glossy finish.

What is glossy

A glossy finish is a shinny treatment that reflect lights directly from the printed surface. It delivers vivid colors and creates eye-catching graphics. This makes it perfect for designs that require strong visual impact.

However, the reflective surface can cause glare under bright lighting. So your texts or messages could not be easier to read. Additionally, with shinny surfaces, glossy prints can’t hide finger-prints. They require frequent cleaning to maintain a clean look.

Pros and cons of glossy

Glossy finish delivers vibrant colors and graphics. It can enhance the visual appeal of your printing. But it also come with some disadvantages.Here are pros and cons of glossy.

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Enhance color vibrancy

By reflecting light directly, glossy prints can make colors appear brighter, richer, and more vivid.

Create strong visual appeal

The glossy finish highlights your design, enhancing the visual appeal of your products. So your customers can notice them at the first sight of the retailing shelves.  

Easy to clean

With smoother surfaces, glossy prints are easier to clean. This helps your packaging maintain a neat and polished appearance, especially during handling and display.

Offer better protection

Glossy finishes add a protective film layer to the paper. They can help improve resistance to moisture, scratches, and wear.

Cons

Prone to fingerprints and smudges

The reflective surface tends to reveal fingerprints and smudges more clearly than matte finishes.

Create glare under bright lighting

Glossy papers are highly reflective. So printed texts or messages are harder to read under bright lighting.

Less suitable for a subtle, natural look

Glossy prints are shinny and eye-catching. This means that they won’t be suitable for creating a subtle, natural look.

Harder to write on 

The slippery area is hard to write your personalized messages on.

Key differences between matte and glossy

Both matte and glossy have their pros and cons. Understanding the key differences between them will help you make a better decision.

Appearance

Matte finishes create a subtle and understated appearance. They give custom packaging like rigid boxes an elegant feel. In contrast, glossy finishes enhance the vibrancy and contrast of colors. They make your prints look sharper and eye-catching.

Maintenance 

Matte paper is more resistant to fingerprints and smudges. It can help your packaging maintain a clean look even with frequent handling. However, glossy paper has a smoother and shinny appearance. It shows fingerprints easily and requires frequent cleaning. The good news may be that its non-porous surface makes it also easy to wipe clean when needed.

Readability

Glossy finish generates glare when exposed to direct lighting. So texts or messages are not easy to view from a distance. Unlike glossy finishes, matte finishes have a muted and non-reflective appearance. They are more friendly for typography-focused branding.

Durabilité

Matte finishes offer excellent resistance to fingerprints and everyday wear. Glossy finishes, on the other hand, provide better resistance to moisture, stains, and scuffs. When paired with lamination, both finishes can improve the durability of your printed packaging.

Coût

Glossy finishes are often more budget-friendly, while matte finishes may cost slightly more due to their specialized surface treatment. The overall packaging cost also depends on factors such as materials, quantity, and customization requirements.

Use cases for matte and glossy finishes

When it comes to custom packaging, matte or glossy finish can make a big difference. Matte finishes add a premium feel while glossy finishes create an eye-catching visual appeal. Both finishes are applied for different purposes.

Matte finish use case

Luxury packaging

With a premium, muted appearance, matte prints can add a luxury feel to products and improve their perceived value. This makes them ideal for luxury packaging such as jewelry, watches, fragrance, and high-end gifts.

Cosmetic packaging

The soft, elegant look of matte finishes works well for skincare and beauty brands. They can help these brands showcase a premium, clean, and modern image.

Minimalist and typography-focused designs

Matte prints are not shinny and they don’t create glare. They are suitable for custom packaging that rely on simple layouts and typography-focused designs.

Glossy finish use cases

Retail packaging

In the competitive market, retail products need to attract customers in seconds. This is where glossy finishes come in. Glossy finishes create an outstanding visual appearance. They make your products stand out on retailing shelves and draw your customers’ attention quickly.  

Promotional packaging

Glossy finishes can enhance the vibrancy of printed designs and texts. When used for promotional boxes and event packaging, they help highlight key branding elements and make your message more noticeable to customers.

Product packaging with detailed graphics

Glossy finishes improve image sharpness and color contrast, making printed graphics more vivid and detailed. They work perfectly for packaging featuring complex illustrations, product photos, or bold visual designs.

Is matte or glossy better? Key factors to consider

Is matte or glossy better? The answer may vary depending on these factors.

Primary purpose

Do you want a premium and subtle presentation or a vibrant, eye-catching visual impact?

Do you want to emphasize text-based designs or showcase bold graphics?

Your purpose will help decide which one is best for you.

Use cases

What products will your packaging be used for? Are they luxury products or retailing items? Choose matte if your products are luxury products.

Will the product packaging be used outdoors or indoors? Go with glossy finishes if you display your products outdoors.

Personal preferences

Which visual style do you prefer: a shiny, high-impact appearance or a subtle, sophisticated look?
Do you value easy readability, especially under different lighting conditions?

Do you prefer a smooth, sleek touch or a softer, more natural texture for your packaging?

Consider these factors before you decide between matte and glossy. Your purpose, preference, and use cases will help you understand which is better.

Conclusion

Matte vs glossy? Both finishes have their advantages and disadvantages that set one apart from the other. Matte has a soft, sophisticated appearance while glossy creates a shinny, eye-catching look. Matte is more resistant to fingerprints but glossy prints are moisture-resistant. You need to consider their differences and use cases to make an informed decision.

At Opack, we offer both matte and glossy finishes to enhance your prints. With over 15 years of experience, we understand how different finishes affect appearance, texture, and performance. Our specialists can help you choose the right finish to match your needs. If you are looking for other finishing options, feel free to contact our product specialists for expert advice.

FAQ

1. Should I get glossy or matte prints?

The choice between glossy and matte prints depends on your primary goals, use cases, and preferences. Choose glossy prints if you want a vibrant, high-impact visual that helps your packaging stand out. Choose matte prints if you prefer a premium, understated look with reduced glare. Matte finishes are often used for luxury and minimalist packaging, while glossy finishes work well for retail products with bold graphics.  

2. Which is more prone to scratches, matte or glossy?

Glossy prints usually show scratches and scuffs more easily because their reflective surface highlights small defects. On the othe hand, matte prints are muted and non-reflective. They can hide minor scratches better.

3. What are the disadvantages of a matte finish?

Matte finishes have several drawbacks. They can make colors appear less vibrant compared with glossy finishes. Some matte surfaces may also provide less protection from stains. In addition, premium matte finishes, such as soft-touch finishes, may increase packaging costs compared with standard options.