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6 Essential Types of Lamination for Custom Boxes

by Mitchell Luo – October 13th, 2021

Lamination

Lamination is a crucial process that enhances the durability and protection of surfaces, particularly in custom boxes and custom packaging. By applying two layers of different materials, lamination strengthens and extends the life of the printed area, designs, and protective surfaces. This technique involves a plastic layer added to materials like paper and cards, improving the appearance and value of the printed jobs.

Lamination is indispensable in the printing and packaging industries, as well as in other sectors like construction and interior decoration. The growing demand for lamination worldwide underscores its importance. This blog explores the types of lamination and their benefits in protecting surfaces from various damaging factors.

Objectives of Lamination

Lamination is widely used across industries to enhance the appearance and longevity of products. In printing and packaging, it protects designs and printed materials, giving them a new lease of life. The protective plastic layer shields the printed work from scratches, liquid damage, UV light, water, stains, and sun exposure. Quality packaging providers, like Custom Made Packaging, utilize lamination effectively to maximize these benefits.

The following are six essential types of lamination that can elevate the look and feel of your custom packaging:

1. Matte Lamination

Matte lamination is a versatile finishing technique that provides a non-reflective, elegant appearance. It offers various looks—premium, rustic, or simple—based on design requirements. This type of lamination gives a natural, sophisticated look, though it is more expensive than glossy finishes. One advantage of matte lamination is its ability to reduce glare, making it ideal for reading and viewing in bright light.

Additionally, it is resistant to fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a clean and polished look. However, it may not be as vibrant as glossy finishes, potentially dulling the colors of the design. Matte lamination also provides a tactile, luxurious feel that can enhance the perceived value of the product. On the downside, it can be more susceptible to scratches and scuffs, which might affect its durability over time. Overall, matte lamination is a preferred choice for those seeking an understated yet high-quality finish. 

2. Soft Touch Lamination

Soft touch lamination delivers a velvety or suede-like texture, adding a luxurious feel to the surface. This premium finish involves double layers of coating, providing enhanced strength and a superior, smooth appearance. It is a costlier option but ideal for creating a tactile, high-end look. One of the key advantages of soft touch lamination is its ability to elevate the perceived value of a product, making it perfect for luxury brands and premium packaging.

Additionally, the soft touch finish is highly resistant to fingerprints and smudges, ensuring a pristine appearance. However, this type of lamination can be more expensive compared to other finishes and may require more careful handling to avoid scratches. Despite the higher cost, the durability and aesthetic appeal it offers often justify the investment. Overall, soft touch lamination is an excellent choice for those looking to make a strong, sophisticated impression with their packaging. 

3. Dry Lamination

Dry lamination, or dry bond lamination, uses heat and pressure to bond materials. An adhesive film or powder is activated through heated rollers, applying the lamination to the surface. This technique ensures a durable bond and a polished finish. One of the primary advantages of dry lamination is its ability to create a strong, long-lasting bond that is resistant to moisture and wear. This makes it ideal for packaging that needs to withstand harsh conditions. Additionally, dry lamination provides a clean and professional appearance, enhancing the overall look of the product.

However, there are some disadvantages to consider. The process can be more expensive due to the need for specialized equipment and materials. Additionally, the high temperatures required may not be suitable for all types of materials, potentially limiting its application. Despite these drawbacks, dry lamination is a reliable and effective method for achieving a high-quality, durable finish that is widely used in various industries.

4. Wet Adhesive Lamination

Wet adhesive lamination involves using a liquid adhesive to bond two layers. Pressure is applied to ensure the layers adhere firmly, creating a strong and durable finish. This technique is versatile and effective for various materials. One of the main advantages of wet adhesive lamination is its ability to create a very strong bond, which is essential for applications requiring durability and longevity. It is particularly effective for bonding flexible materials, making it suitable for a wide range of packaging needs.

Another benefit is its cost-effectiveness, as the materials and process are generally less expensive than other lamination techniques. However, there are some disadvantages to consider. The process can be messy and requires careful handling to avoid excess adhesive and ensure a clean finish. Additionally, it may require longer drying times, which can slow down production. Despite these challenges, wet adhesive lamination remains a popular choice for many industries due to its versatility, strong bonding capabilities, and cost efficiency. 

5. Gloss Lamination

Gloss lamination is a popular technique that adds a shiny, protective plastic layer to the printed area. It safeguards against fingerprints, dirt, and dust while enhancing the appearance and durability of the printed surface. One of its key advantages is its cost-effectiveness, offering a high level of protection at a relatively low cost. The glossy finish also makes colors appear more vibrant and text more readable, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the product.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Gloss lamination can reflect light, which may cause glare in certain lighting conditions. This glare can sometimes make it difficult to see the printed content clearly. Additionally, while gloss lamination provides excellent protection against moisture and abrasion, it may show scratches and fingerprints more prominently compared to matte or soft touch finishes.


Overall, gloss lamination is valued for its ability to make designs stand out with extra shine and its practical benefits in protecting printed materials. It remains a popular choice for a variety of applications where a glossy, eye-catching finish is desired.

6. Textured Lamination

Textured lamination brings a distinct tactile element to your packaging, elevating its visual and sensory appeal. This finishing technique not only enhances the look with a refined texture but also adds durability, protecting the print from scratches and wear. Ideal for creating a memorable unboxing experience, textured lamination sets your brand apart with a touch of sophistication.

One of the key advantages of textured lamination is its ability to create a unique sensory experience for customers, making your packaging more engaging and memorable. The textured surface not only feels luxurious but also helps to mask fingerprints and minor imperfections, maintaining a pristine appearance over time. Additionally, textured lamination enhances the perceived value of the product, making it ideal for luxury items and premium brands.


However, it’s important to note that textured lamination can be more expensive than traditional glossy or matte finishes due to the specialized materials and processes involved. The texture itself may also limit some design options, particularly intricate or detailed artwork that could be obscured by the texture. Despite these considerations, textured lamination remains a popular choice for brands looking to differentiate their products and create a lasting impression through both visual and tactile elements.

Commonly Laminated Products

In the printing and packaging industry, lamination is commonly used for:


1. Boxes
2. Posters

3. Brochures

4. Book titles

5. Flyers

6. Menus

7. Maps

Impact of Lamination on Custom Packaging Solutions

Lamination is vital for protecting surfaces and enhancing the appeal of custom packaging. It provides resistance to water and other harmful factors, boosting the brand image and differentiating products in the market. Especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), lamination helps them stand out in competitive markets by adding charm and attractiveness to printed materials.

One of the primary benefits of lamination is its ability to prolong the life of packaging by shielding it from moisture, stains, and scratches. This protective layer not only maintains the integrity of the packaging but also ensures that the printed design remains vibrant and clear over time. Additionally, lamination enhances the tactile and visual appeal of the packaging, making it more appealing to customers and contributing to a positive unboxing experience.


For SMEs, investing in lamination can be particularly advantageous as it allows them to compete more effectively with larger brands. By presenting their products with professionally laminated packaging, SMEs can convey a sense of quality and reliability, thereby building trust and loyalty among customers. Moreover, lamination offers flexibility in design options, allowing SMEs to customize their packaging to reflect their brand identity and target audience preferences.


In conclusion, lamination serves as a crucial element in packaging design, providing both practical benefits in protection and aesthetic advantages in enhancing product appeal. For SMEs looking to enhance their market presence and brand image, incorporating lamination into their packaging strategy can be a strategic investment that yields long-term benefits.

Conclusion

Lamination is a versatile finishing technique that enhances the protection, attraction, and durability of printed and packaged products. Custom Made Packaging offers a variety of lamination types, each providing unique benefits to meet your specific needs. Share your requirements with us to get a custom quote, enjoy free design support, and benefit from free shipping across the USA!

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Get the custom quote starting from our MOQ of 30 boxes to any order volume. There will be no charges for shipping and we ensure the lowest prices with highest quality possible. 

Get the custom quote starting from our MOQ of 30 boxes to any order volume. There will be no charges for shipping and we ensure the lowest prices with highest quality possible. 

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Custom Made Packaging believes in convenient, professional, and fast custom packaging services for all businesses. Our custom boxes, custom labels, retail displays, CBD boxes and custom tapes make your packaging more noticeable and enhance your brand image