Matte varnish

Matte varnish is a clear coating printed on the outer surface of a pack to cut gloss and create a soft, understated finish. It is popular for coffee, tea, nuts, cosmetics and gourmet products.

How it is achieved

On laminated pouches the print is usually reversed inside, so the matte effect comes either from a matte outer film such as matte BOPP or from a matte varnish printed over a glossy outer film. Varnish is applied like an extra colour with its own plate or cylinder.

Benefits

• Premium, low-glare appearance.
• Better legibility of text and barcodes under shop lighting.
• Some varnishes add a soft-touch feel.
• Combining matte and gloss areas creates contrast, known as spot varnish.

Things to check

Colours can look slightly lighter under matte surfaces, so review brand colours on a proof. Dark matte areas may show scuffs and fingerprints. Varnish can also change the outer surface's slip and its behaviour under sealing jaws, which matters on automatic filling lines.

Tip

Keep product windows free of varnish so the contents stay clearly visible, and compare matte and gloss samples before deciding.