Comparing Print Finishes: Pros and Cons for Different Applications

Many different factors impact print finish selection. The design content, print product, intended audience, and desired lifespan all play a role in determining what’s ‘right’ for your project. To help you make the most informed decision possible, we’ve put together this resource analyzing print finish variables and how they impact some popular print formats. And of course, never hesitate to reach out if you have a specific question or concern you'd like to discuss with the experts!

Printed Marketing Collateral

There are countless types of print marketing collateral out there, and choosing the best finishes will depend somewhat on what type of collateral you’re printing. That being said, there are also some good, general guidelines to keep in mind.

Matte vs. Gloss

Most print marketing collateral will have some kind of overall coating/lamination. This helps protect the materials as they’re handed out our mailed, and improves the overall impression they make. But choosing between matte and gloss comes down to what you want to prioritize in the design content. 

Using a matte finish on your print collateral will improve readability by reducing glare. It can also help create a calmer or more refined impression. On the other hand, a gloss finish is good for helping bold, bright colors pop and can add dramatic depth to photography and detailed artwork.

Spot Gloss & Raised UV

If you want to pump up the contrast and three dimensionality of your print collateral, but don’t want to add any additional colors, then spot gloss is a great finish to explore. It creates ultra-glossy details that stand slightly proud of the substrate, adding interest to how the piece looks and feels. Used on a matte background, the contrast is so strong that text and graphics will stand out clearly, even if they’re the exact same color as the background.

Embossing and Debossing

This finish tends to add an official or ‘stately’ impression to a piece of collateral, as it’s commonly associated with things like watermarks and government seals. Use it to emphasize logos, company names, and other formal brand elements on high-end marketing pieces.

Print Packaging

As a category, packaging is a little better contained than print collateral (pun intended). It all needs to be appealing to its audience, eye-catching, and sturdy enough to protect its contents. Fortunately, all of these effects can be achieved with the right finishes.

Foil Finishes

Foil finishes shine brightest (pun, once again, intended) in contexts where grabbing attention is key. That makes them an ideal treatment for many types of packaging. Use traditional metallics to evoke value and luxury, brand colors to strengthen brand identity, or holographics for an exciting, futuristic vibe – no matter how you leverage it, foil always helps packaging stand out from the crowd.

Matte vs. Gloss Laminating

Just as with marketing collateral, a matte finish will improve legibility while a gloss finish will boost color saturation and design depth. Either effect can be desirable, depending on your packaging design.

However, what’s arguably more important is the value of choosing lamination over varnishes/coatings. When strength is critical, as it so often is with packaging, lamination is the way to go. It’s particularly good for making the packaging sturdier and more resistant to scuffs and water damage.

Print Publications

Much like packaging, finishes are very useful for helping publications catch your audience’s attention. However, publications are also the most heavily-handled print products, which makes tactile finishes particularly compelling.

Soft-Touch Coatings

Soft-touch is one of, if not the most texturally impactful finish in the world of print. It creates a pleasantly velvety look and feel. This finish, used on either part or all of a publication cover, is great for driving interaction with your print materials, as well as increasing the perceived quality of the publication’s design.

Embossing & Debossing for Book Covers

Book covers have long been the top use case for embossing and debossing finishes. These three-dimensional effects, when used for titles and select artwork details, significantly increases a book’s perceived value, and can even help the publication seem more authoritative or reputable.

Find the Right Finishes for Your Print Projects with Wallace Carlson

As you consider these guidelines, remember that each print project is one of a kind. It’s essential to evaluate each piece individually, asses its specific needs from both an audience and a business perspective, then choose your finishes.

Of course, for help determining which finishes best align with your project’s objectives, budget and desired customer impact, you can always reach out to us at Wallace Carlson. Click here to contact us today!