What is Soft Touch Lamination in Packaging?

Soft touch lamination is a premium finishing technique where a special matte film is applied to printed material using heat and pressure. It makes the surface feel smooth and velvety, reduces shine and helps prevent fingerprints.

You will often see it on luxury product boxes, business cards, book covers, brochures and labels where the brand wants the print to feel a little more special. It also gives the surface some light protection from handling marks, scuffs and fingerprints.

This blog covers what soft touch lamination is, its benefits, uses, comparisons and when to choose it.

How does soft touch lamination work?

Soft touch lamination follows a careful finishing process to create a smooth texture, even appearance, and durable surface. Here are the steps:

Soft touch lamination is applied after the artwork has been printed on material.
The printed surface is carefully inspected and cleaned to remove dust, flue or small particles that could get trapped under the film.
A thin soft touch film is placed over the printed surface to create a smooth velvet like texture.
The film is bonded using heat and pressure or adhesive depending on the method.
Rollers press the film evenly as the sheet passes through the machine.
Poor handling can cause bubbles, wrinkles, loose edges or uneven patches.
The material is then cooled and allowed to settle.
Excess film is trimmed for a clean finish.
The surface is checked for smoothness and defects.
The process adds a soft matte look and light protection.

What are the benefits of soft touch lamination?

Here are the following benefits of soft touch lamination for giving luxurious appearance and feel:

Soft touch labels create a premium soft matte feel.
Improve the overall product presentation.
Help protect labels from scratches and scuffs.
Reduces smudging and fading on printed labels.
Provides strong adhesion to packaging surfaces.
Suitable for chilled products and premium drinks
Works well on glass, plastic and metal containers.
They can be combined with foil, embossing or spot UV.

Does soft touch lamination affect colors?

Soft touch lamination can change the way colors look slightly. The finish is matte, colors usually look softer and less shiny than they would with gloss lamination. Dark shades, black packaging, deep blues and rich colors often look more elegant with a soft touch finish.

Bright colors may lose a little shine however the overall look can feel cleaner and more premium. If you want bold, shiny, high-impact colors, gloss may be better. Soft touch lamination is usually the better option for smooth, calm and luxury style finish.

When should you choose soft touch lamination?

Soft touch lamination is best when the printed item needs to feel more premium. It works well for:

Cosmetic, skincare and wellness products.
Business cards, brochures, catalogues and presentation folders.
Book covers, journals, notebooks and printed materials.
Brands that want a soft matte finish instead of a shiny gloss look.

Soft Touch Lamination vs Matte Lamination

Soft touch and matte lamination both give a non-glossy finish but they don’t feel the same. Soft touch is chosen for its smooth, velvet like texture while matte lamination gives a simpler flat finish. Here is a comparison:

Feature	Soft Touch Lamination	Matte Lamination
Feel	Smooth, soft, and velvet-like	Flat and smooth, but not velvety
Look	Premium, elegant, and high-end	Clean, simple, and non-glossy
Shine	Very low shine	Low shine
Texture	Velvety, smooth, and soft to the touch	Smooth and flat
Durability & Fingerprints	Durable, but may show fingerprints, scuffs, and scratches more easily	Generally more resistant to fingerprints, scuffs, and everyday handling

When should you choose soft touch lamination?

Soft touch lamination is best when the printed item needs to feel more premium. It works well for:

Cosmetic, skincare and wellness products.
Business cards, brochures, catalogues and presentation folders.
Book covers, journals, notebooks and printed materials.
Brands that want a soft matte finish instead of a shiny gloss look.

Frequently Asked Questions