Soft-Touch Lamination
Also known as velvet lamination or cello touch, soft-touch lamination is a method in which a thin film is laminated on the printed surface. It has a matte, soft texture that almost feels like touching velvet or suede. Soft-touch lamination adds a high end feel to the final product and this is why it is mainly used on covers of premium and luxury products that offer high-end packaging. The soft-touch lamination can also be printed and stamped. Most printing design elements are added to enhance the visual appeal of a product. Soft-touch lamination is different as it emphasizes the tactile aspect of printing. This extra process will ensure your printed product will stand out from the rest and be a pleasing item to own for your customers.
The lamination can be applied to both sides of a sheet and also be combined with other features such as foil blocking or gloss varnishing.
Soft-touch lamination adds extra class and protection to your printed products. This keeps the print looking better and leads to longer ownership.
The Advantages of Soft-Touch Lamination:
- Perfect for high-end products
- Provides surface protection
- Improved desirability and pride of ownership
- Increases the life of your print
- Classy matte finish
- Provides a different sensory experience
The Disadvantage of Soft-Touch Lamination:
- It is costly
- Prone to scratches and picking up fingerprints
- Softens and flattens colors
- Requires good design knowledge
Gloss Lamination, Matte Lamination and Soft-Touch Lamination
Lamination is a process that applies a thin film to a printed product. It increases the durability of the printed materials and can enhance the appearance whilst also adding value. It takes several forms and the choice of which lamination to use will depend on the requirements of the project. Lamination can provide protection against stains, moisture, and other marks. It is very useful for printed materials that are used frequently, such as menus, book cover, paper box outside. Laminates come in different thicknesses from very thin films to heavier types that will provide greater rigidity. This added process can prolong the life of printed products, saving costs on reprinting.
Gloss lamination is a popular choice that produces a shiny effect enhancing colors and providing protection. Generally it is the cheapest method and is widely used in printing.
Matte lamination produces a professional look and finish. It tends to soften color contrast and has a better feel than gloss lamination. Matte lamination also offers protection for the printed products.
Soft-touch lamination provides the most professional look with the added benefit of providing a lovely velvety feel.
It also offers a good degree of protection. However, it is more likely to show scratches and marks.
Gloss, Matte or Soft-Touch Lamination – Which Is Better for My Book?
Selecting the correct lamination for your book is one of the most important decisions you will make in the design process. Several factors need to be considered.
The overall look of the book is very important. The cover, in particular, needs to reflect the contents of the text. You are setting the tone of the book by selecting the correct lamination process.
If the book is likely to be handled by many readers then gloss lamination may be the best option. This is particularly applicable to younger children. Gloss lamination enhances the colors and brings the images and graphics to life. It also provides excellent protection against moisture, scuffs, and fingerprints. A book cover using gloss lamination can be wiped with a damp cloth to clean it. Good examples of printed products using gloss lamination would be children’s books and workshop manuals. The main disadvantage of a gloss laminated print is that it can be difficult to read where there is a lot of reflected light. Consider where the book is likely to be used most frequently.
Matte lamination offers a more professional finish and look. If your book is likely to be read by fewer readers, but possibly be more treasured, matte lamination can be a great option. It still offers a degree of protection but is more prone to marking when handled frequently. High-class magazines and books using softer, more subtle color images work well with matte lamination.
Soft-touch lamination adds an extra level of sophistication and is suited for high-end print products, where pride of ownership is important. The level of protection is less but the value of the book is enhanced.
The design of the book, as well as the anticipated readership and usage, is a big factor when selecting the lamination method. Consult QinPrinting for advice on which lamination type will be the most suited for your printed book or project.
If you are thinking about getting a soft-touch lamination for your printing product, we can provide you with a free soft-touch lamination sample. For more information or any other request, contact our sales experts now!