Print & finish
Print & finish3 min readUpdated
Lamination
Laminate your box or paper bag and its print wears a clear plastic skin. Of the usual finishes it protects best, and the film you choose sets the look: gloss, matte or soft touch.
What the film does
A film protects far more than a liquid coat. It keeps scratches, rubbing and damp off the print, so it is a common choice for packs that get handled again and again.
The film goes on after printing and before the sheet is cut and creasedCrease A fold line pressed into board so it bends cleanly, also called a score. Dashed green on our dielines., so it covers the whole blank, folds included. Some films fold better than others: ask for one made for folding cartonsFolding carton A printed paperboard box made from one flat sheet, cut and creased, shipped flat and folded up at packing..
Gloss, matte or soft touch
| Film | Looks and feels | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss | Shiny, colours look deeper and brighter | Reflects light. Under bright lamps it can glare and make a barcode harder to scan. |
| Matte | Flat and calm, with no glare | On dark designs it can show scuffs. Anti-scratch matte film is made for that. |
| Soft touch | Matte with a velvety feel | Made to be touched, so it suits gift and beauty boxes. |
Matte and soft touchSoft touch A matte coat or film with a velvety feel and no glare. Made to be touched, it suits gift and beauty boxes. film also make a good base for spot UV: the glossy areas stand out against them.
Film or a coat
A film is not the only way to protect print. A liquid coat usually costs less and adds no plastic film. Coatings and varnishes compares them.
That matters for recycling. A laminated box is paper with plastic on it, and the two don't always come apart easily. Some recycling schemes still take it when the film is a small part of the weight, but most paper mills would rather not have it, and the rules differ from place to place. If your pack has to go out with paper recycling, ask your printer before you choose film.
Not the same as a printed sheet on corrugated
For the finest print on a corrugated box, the artwork can go on a separate printed sheet that is glued onto the corrugated boardCorrugated board A wavy sheet, the flute, glued between flat liners. Light, stiff and hard to crush: the board of shipping and mailer boxes.. That sheet is paper, not a plastic film. Corrugated liners explains it.
This guide is about board and paper. Pouches and plastic bags are made of film already, and how their film is built is a question for your printer.
See it in 3D
The 3D view in the editor shows your artwork on a box or a paper bag. Set Finish to Soft touch for a velvety film, or Gloss for a shiny surface. It helps you judge the look; it is not a proof, so ask your printer for a laminated sample.
Try soft touch on a paper bag
Add your artwork in the 3D view and set Finish to Soft touch to see your bag in a velvety film.
- Cut
- Folds
- Safe area