Printing lamination: What is the difference between glossy lamination and matte lamination?

What is the difference between glossy lamination and matte lamination?

When the surface of a printed item requires additional features such as water and stain resistance or longer life, it is often necessary to add a film to meet these needs. Many printed materials will have a lamination process added after printing is complete.

Laminating films not only provide greater abrasion resistance and durability but also enhance the overall gloss and texture and help protect the colors on the printed surface from damage.

Laminating refers to applying a transparent plastic film to the surface of a printed item after it has been printed, but before it has been folded and cut. This film is usually made of polypropylene material with a thermoplastic polymer adhesive pre-coated on the surface to bond to the print's surface.

What is the difference between glossy lamination and matte lamination?

TRANSLUCENCY

Both glossy and matte films have a certain degree of durability that will allow the print to be preserved better. The difference is mainly in the transparency.

Glossy films are highly translucent and have a smoother surface. The glossy film can make the color of the pattern more vivid and expressive. At the same time, its gloss can also increase the recognition of text or other elements to a certain extent.

Matte film is a laminating material that is less transparent than glossy film. Unlike glossy film, it has a more frosted surface, which gives a perfect texture to the print. Matte film reduces reflections and eye fatigue for a more comfortable and natural look.

APPLICATIONS

Glossy films highlight bright colors and patterns, while matte films focus on highlighting texture and naturalness.

Glossy films are widely used in places requiring high brightness and saturation effects, such as posters, magazines, etc. Due to the high gloss and waterproof and moisture-proof properties of glossy films, they are used in outdoor poster production, which can extend the service life of posters and improve the visual effects of posters.

Matt films are mostly used for printed materials such as albums, books, and business cards that need to highlight texture but do not need to be too dazzling. Because the matte film surface has fine textures, it can eliminate reflections and make the printed materials more textured.

Advantages and disadvantages of laminating glossy films:

The biggest advantage of laminating glossy film is that it enhances the color vibrancy and image quality of the print. If you want to achieve a visually striking effect, glossy film is the way to go.

The reflective nature of glossy films can make reading text or taking photographs difficult, especially in certain lighting conditions. Glossy films are also more likely to show fingerprints and smudges than matte films.

Advantages and disadvantages of laminating matte film:

Matte lamination reduces reflective glare and can make colors look softer and unaffected by reflections when viewed from any angle. However, it can also dull colors and reduce the vibrancy of the image. The disadvantage is that matte film is not as durable as glossy film and scratches more easily.

Lamination is used for most printed materials. Glossy and matte films are the two most common types of lamination, and both types of lamination have their unique advantages. The glossy film is characterized by its high brightness and glossy feel, while the matte film is favored for its soft effect and unique texture.