Materials & Finishes · Finishes

Finishes & embellishment

Compare protective layers, reflective accents and tactile detail. Each effect must suit the selected paper or film, artwork and application; a material may already carry its texture or metallic background.

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Protective finishes

Protect the print

Compare the look and handling of the complete construction. A protective layer can also change colour, texture and later writing.

Gloss lamination

Clear film with a high-gloss surface. Changes reflection and colour appearance; protection requirements must be checked for the selected construction.

Matte lamination

Clear film with a non-reflective surface. Creates a lower-gloss appearance; approve colour and handling on the actual sample.

UV varnish

A liquid coating cured in line. Coverage, gloss and the effect on paper texture depend on the coating and selected stock.

An uncoated or unlaminated surface may be selected for feel or writing. State the handling and exposure requirements before choosing a protective finish.

Embellishment

Add the brand

Applied to selected areas of the artwork. Keep each requested effect on a separate artwork layer and agree any file preparation needed.

Foil

Metallic or coloured foil on logos, borders and type. The foil method and compatibility are confirmed for the selected stock and artwork.

Logos · borders

Spot UV & soft touch

Selective gloss, raised effects and soft-touch coatings are different options. Confirm the effect and coverage being quoted.

Highlight · tactile

Embossing & debossing

Raised or recessed areas pressed into paper labels, with or without foil.

Paper · premium

White ink

An opaque white layer under colour on clear, metallised and holographic films.

Clear · metallic

Special effect films

Holographic, glitter and patterned films used as the face stock itself, printed with white ink where the artwork should be opaque.

Metallised films

Silver BOPP or PET for a metallic base under translucent colour, with a different construction from an added foil layer.

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Finishes at a glance

Finish	Look	Protection	Works with	Artwork needs
Gloss lamination	Bright, saturated	Confirm the required protection on the finished construction	BOPP, PET, vinyl, paper	None
Matte lamination	Soft, premium	Confirm the required protection on the finished construction	BOPP, PET, vinyl, paper	None
UV varnish	Keeps paper texture	Confirm the required protection on the finished construction	Paper, kraft	None
Foil	Metallic accent	Appearance or opacity; not a service rating	Paper, BOPP, PET	Separate foil layer
Spot UV	Raised gloss highlight	Appearance or opacity; not a service rating	Matte laminated labels	Separate spot layer
Embossing	Raised or recessed relief	Appearance or opacity; not a service rating	Paper	Separate emboss layer
White ink	Opacity on clear / metallic	Appearance or opacity; not a service rating	Clear, metallised, holographic films	Separate white layer

Combinations

Combinations that work

Pairings to discuss and compare on samples of the selected construction.

Matte lamination + foil logoPremium food, beauty and candle labels: soft background, metallic brand mark.

Clear film + selected white ink + protective finishOpen clear areas reveal the glass; white coverage and the protective layer are selected with the artwork.

Kraft paper + UV varnishNatural look with light protection; add a foil accent for premium ranges.

Holographic film + white inkEffect stickers with crisp opaque areas and the effect showing through elsewhere.

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Explore further

Find the details for your project.

Explore individual guides and discuss the exact construction with us.

Lamination Foil finishing Spot UV Embossing & debossing

View all finishes guides →

Check the material before adding an effect.

A finish menu is not a promise that every effect works on every stock.

Existing texture or extra relief?A paper can have a raised texture yet be unsuitable for another embossing step. Confirm the added process separately.

Metallic background or foil?Reflective PET supplies a metallic base. A separate foil mask is an additional artwork and process decision.

Delicate papersTea-fibre and decorative Xuan options may need open artwork, simple cuts and restrained finishing rather than a full ink background.

Compare the construction, not just the effect.

These product pages show the material, finishing choices and questions to settle for a quotation.

Metallic PET Seal LabelsThe metallic PET background provides a foil-like appearance without assuming a separate hot-foil step.

Specialty-Paper UV Roll LabelsThe grid-textured paper supports selected foil and spot UV, but not additional embossing.

Decorative Xuan Tea LabelsThe pictured tea-fibre paper rules out several embellishments and intricate contour cutting.

Three ways to plan a metallic appearance.

Choose the construction before drawing the finishing mask.

Metallic face stockA reflective PET or other specified stock supplies the background. Open areas and printed opacity determine where the effect shows.

Metallic inkA metallic print effect is an ink decision. Confirm the available process and review the result on the actual paper or film.

Separate foilThe foil detail is an additional process with its own artwork mask. Confirm the method, stock compatibility and registration on a finished sample.

FAQ

Questions about finishes

See All FAQs

Do I always need lamination?

Not every construction needs the same finish. Define the handling, exposure and desired feel, then compare an uncoated surface, varnish or lamination on the selected stock.

Does matte lamination change the colours?

Slightly: colours look softer and less saturated than under gloss. We can show both on a proof or in the sample pack.

Can foil and spot UV be combined?

The combination may be possible on a suitable construction. Keep the masks separate and approve compatibility, registration and the finished appearance on a physical sample.

How do I prepare artwork for white ink?

Identify the required white coverage on a separate mask and agree any preparation needed before proofing. Details are in the artwork guidelines.