The Intro, Pros, and Cons of Different Types of Lamination in Packaging

In the packaging industry, lamination is the process of adhering a transparent film fashioned out of plastic onto printed packaging boxes. Doing this not only makes the packaging boxes stronger and more resilient to wear and tear but also changes the presentation of the packaging. We are going to discuss the types of lamination. First, let’s review the properties of good lamination, and how we can ascertain that the lamination of our choosing is high quality.

What is a good lamination?

Good lamination should have the following characteristics:

• It should be transparent and clear
• It should not be tinted
• The lamination should have great toughness
• The lamination should have no blistering
• It should have a great texture, preferably a smoother one

The Types of Lamination

3 main types of lamination can go on packaging boxes. We will talk about what those are, the pros and cons of all the types of lamination, and where they can be best used. Without further ado let’s get into what types of lamination are available that go on packaging boxes:

1. Matte Lamination
2. Gloss Lamination
3. Silk Lamination

1. Matte Lamination:

This type of lamination tends to add a clear yet smooth-matte feel to your printed packaging boxes. Let’s understand what the pros and cons of using matte lamination are and when can this type of finishing be best used:

Pros:

• Matte Lamination produces no glare
• It makes the typography on the packaging easy to read
• Matte Lamination gives a sophisticated appearance to your packaging boxes
• It looks less artificial yet adds value to the print
• Fingerprints do not appear on boxes with Matte Lamination

Cons:

• It is prone to scratches and stains
• Matte Lamination is also prone to moisture
• This is not dust resistant

When to use Matte Lamination?

• When there is lesser handling of your product’s package use matte lamination.
• Opt for matte lamination when your package has changed to be displayed in bright lights, as no glare will be produced
• Use it when you want to give your product’s packaging a sophisticated and rich appearance
• Go for matte lamination if your printed colors are muted tones or soft shades

2. Gloss Lamination:

This type of lamination is clear and shiny. Gloss lamination adds a sheen to your packaging boxes. It is a thin film consisting of a layer of resin and is most commonly used in packaging boxes. Let’s get into the details now:

Pros:

• This protects against damage from chemicals or humidity
• Gloss lamination is moisture-resistant
• Gloss lamination calls attention to them owing to their ability to reflect light
• It gives a vibrancy to the colored print elements on packaging boxes
• It is smudge-resistant and easy to wipe clean

Cons:

• Gloss lamination produces glare
• It is difficult to write over
• Gloss Lamination makes the flaws or indentations more noticeable

When to use Gloss Lamination?

• Use Gloss lamination if you want to go easy on the wallet as these are comparatively cheaper
• Use this when the glare is not a concern and you need your color to look vibrant
• Use gloss lamination if your products are prone to lots of handling, for it is smudge and dust-resistant

3. Silk Lamination:

Silk Lamination is often also known as the satin finish. Silk lamination is a suave lamination that provides a delightfully smooth tactile experience when put on packaging boxes. Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the usage of silk lamination now:

Pros:

• Silk lamination protects against smudges and scratches
• It gives your product packaging a luxuriant aura
• It is tear-resistant and therefore very durable
• Silk Lamination is also water-resistant
• It is smooth-to-touch making it a unique type of lamination for packaging

Cons:

• Silk lamination has a comparatively dull appearance of colors than with glossy finishing
• Silk lamination is the most expensive lamination option in the market, owing to the luxurious ambiance it gives to product packaging

When to use Silk Lamination?

• It is best used when the products that are being packaged are high-end, luxury items. This lamination gives the packaging a rich feel to match the products.
• Use silk lamination when you want to improve the quality of your packaging
• Opt for Silk lamination if your packaging budget can afford the extra costs of this lavish packaging lamination.

The Bottom Line: Where to get the perfect laminated packaging?

Having covered every minute detail about the types of lamination for your packaging, the only thing that remains is finding a packaging partner for your business. It is important to note that the said business partner should be able to supply you with the perfect packaging solutions for your brand’s products. Order custom packaging solutions, by utilizing the various types of lamination choices, from Emenac Packaging, USA now. This would be the best choice you make for your business as we only provide you with packaging that is the best of the best!