Comparing Soft Touch Coating and
Soft Touch Lamination: Pros and Cons
Try innovative techniques to grab and satisfy customers. The two most effective are soft touch coating and soft touch lamination. Both work amazingly well in enhancing the packaging appeal and functionality. However, still, both differ in many perspectives. Read on to compare both finishing options. Knowing their pons and cons helps you select the most appropriate one for your business.
Boxes that look rough and unfinished cannot bring positive outcomes to your business. They might serve the basic purpose to some extent but their appeal never grabs customers. A survey stated that 72% of Americans decide to purchase something by looking at product packaging box design. So, brands bring various innovations to introduce high-end products in an effective packaging. This step helps them to reflect their creations' essence in the best possible way. Many packaging manufacturing companies like The Custom Boxes are assisting brands in achieving excellence. In the world of packaging, crafting exceptional boxes is important for becoming a renowned name. Thus, striving hard to make product packaging memorable is obvious. The emergence of finishing options is a blessing in this regard. They allow you to offer a tactile experience that your customers want in this modern world.
The two trendiest finish options are soft touch coating and soft touch lamination. The word “soft touch” refers to the smoother touch finishes on the material surface. Coating and laminating are two terms that are good at providing a unique feel to the packaging. Cardboard boxes, paperboard boxes, and card stocks can be made exceptionally mesmerizing using these options. Still, there exist some differences between them. You don’t have to wander here and there to find it out. This blog post is here to assist you. Read on to learn about both finishing options with pros and cons in detail. After reading it, you will better able to make an informed selection.
Understanding Soft Touch Finishes:
Let's first understand what soft touch coating and soft touch lamination are, before diving deep into their comparison. Knowing every associated term with them helps you to become wise in your choice.
What is Soft Touch Coating?
The type of coating in which liquid is applied on the external of the material such as cardboard or paperboard is called soft touch lamination. Afterwards, it is cured with UV light to give a velvety and softer appearance. A question might come to your mind: What is soft touch coating made of? Well, it is a polymer-based liquid. In the case of soft touch aqueous coating, it is water. It is known for offering better protective and attractive abilities to the service where it is applied. Known for their ease of application during the printing process, brands prefer them to enhance their appeal. Also, its quick-drying properties make it an ideal pick for retail packaging.
What is Soft Touch Lamination?
Contrary to soft touch coating, soft touch finishing process uses a plastic film that bonds to the surface of printed materials. Commonly paperboard and cardboard materials printed with desired elements are sent for this process. Do you know what is a soft touch laminate? It is another term often used in this type of finishing. The protective film employed through heat or adhesive attributes is called soft touch laminate. By adhering to the surface of the material, it provides a better look and enhanced functionality. Polyethylene (PE) or bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) are some materials used to craft it. Laminates offer more durability and preserve the quality of packaging and printing. Thus, they are ideal for shipping products and a famous option for ecommerce packaging.
Many brands are using a soft black touch to market their premium products. This allows them to cultivate attention better and showcase style and luxury.
Comparing the Pons and Cons of Soft Touch Coating and Soft Touch Lamination:
Introducing a tactile experience to packaging that urges customers to make a purchase often appears as a game changer. Brands that are continuously experiencing failure can invert their destiny through soft touch paints, soft touch coating, and soft touch lamination. The former one is beyond the scope of this article. However, continue reading to get the answer of what is the difference between soft touch coating and soft touch lamination. See their advantages and disadvantages before deciding on a particular option for your packaging.
Pros of Soft Touch Coating:
- Soft touch coating doesn’t require any extra film during application. Thus, it is more cost-effective. Also, it is carried out during printing most commonly offset printing. As a result, there is no need to set extra steps as with lamination.
- The liquid coat that applies to the material surface dries quickly. Only UV light is enough to do this within a few seconds. So, it is a good option for enhancing appeal in a relatively short time. Brands can get their required soft touch paper packaging in the minimum possible time. Likewise, printing or packaging companies can meet tight deadlines easily.
- Its customizable nature makes this option a versatile one. Capable of combining with spot UV printing, it enables brands to grab enhanced design appeal. Not only spot UV, but it can also merge with foil stamping and many other options to bring novelty.
- Most importantly, its use won’t allow you to disobey standard guidelines. Their eco-friendly nature due to the use of a liquid-based finish allows you to reduce the environmental impact of your choice. You can offer your clients social media shareability through eco-friendly packaging without any hesitation.
Cons of Soft Touch Coating:
- As compared to lamination, soft-touch coating is less durable. The reason is it does not contain any extra protective layer.
- Packaging with soft touch coating offers less resistance to scuffs and scratches.
- This finish option is not suitable if the products have to face multiple handling. The signs of wear appear sooner. Also, it fades our time.
Pros of Soft Touch Lamination:
- The use of plastic films in packaging adds more durability. Moreover, it prevents wear and tear chances due to handling and shipping. It does not let moisture and scratches damage the packaging surface.
- Its enhanced protective features keep products in pristine condition without compromising aesthetics.
- Soft touch lamination adds sophistication due to the muted shine of the laminate. Thus, offering a premium and consistent tactile experience through soft touch printing becomes easier.
- An extra layer over the basic material leads to enhancing packaging shelf life.
Cons of Soft Touch Lamination:
- It is an expensive option as compared to soft touch coating. The reason is everything from material to setup demands extra money.
- Unlike soft touch coating, it needs an extra step after printing. This leads to more time and labor requirements. Thus, meeting tight deadlines is not easy.
- You cannot use soft touch lamination freely. The reason is some countries have banned it due to the use of plastic films. Thus, it is considered less eco-friendly than aqueous soft touch coating which uses harmless water.
- Combining lamination with other finishes like foil stamping is not easy. So, it does not offer customization liberty to the users.
Which one is Suitable for Your Product Packaging?
After comparing the pros and cons of both options, you become clearer. Choosing the one becomes easier for you now. To streamline it further for you, consider the following factors.
- See your budget constraints.
- What should your box design look like?
- Level of Protection Your Product Wants
- Environmental Concerns and Regulations of Areas where You Want to Use them.
Final Thoughts:
Your brand is creating extraordinary products to meet distinctive market needs. Why ruin their appeal by packaging them in ordinary boxes? Of course, your amazing creations deserve the best. To help you grab the finest, soft touch finishes are your ultimate partner. The two most worthy are soft touch coating and soft touch lamination. To define soft touch, we can say that it is the smooth feeling that you experience. Both types of finishing options are meant to offer enhanced tactile experiences. Also, their role in improving box functionality is appreciable. However, both differ in their applications and processes. This article has narrated everything you need to know about them. By comparing their pros and cons, you can make a worthy investment in your business. The Custom Boxes are always ready to serve you. Order your boxes with your suitable finishes from us and avail yourself of free shipping. Furthermore, we are offering free customer care support. So, feel free to contact us.
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