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Matt lamination is a thin, clear film bonded over a printed sheet that gives a smooth, low-sheen finish and protects the ink from scuffs and finger marks. Gloss lamination is the shiny version of the same idea. We offer matt, gloss and soft-touch (velvet) laminate on our business cards, whose standard card is 400gsm silk. For a shiny look without a laminate, our leaflets come on gloss paper, which is a coated paper rather than a laminate.
What lamination is
Lamination is a clear plastic film applied to the print after it has been printed. It sits on top of the ink, so the surface underneath is protected from scuffs, and it changes how the card looks and feels. The film is named after its surface:
- Matt: low sheen, smooth to the touch, cuts glare.
- Soft-touch (velvet): low sheen with a velvety feel.
- Gloss: a shiny film that reflects light.
Our glossary entries on matt lamination and soft-touch lamination give short definitions.
Matt vs gloss lamination
| Matt lamination | Gloss lamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Low sheen, no glare | Shiny, reflects light |
| Feel | Smooth | Smooth |
| Protection | Resists scuffs and finger marks | Also a protective film |
| Reading under bright light | Easier, because it cuts glare | Reflections can get in the way |
| Do we offer it? | Yes, on business cards (both sides or front only) | Yes, on business cards (both sides or front only) |
Matt laminate cuts glare, which suits designs with large areas of dark colour and cards that are read under office or shop lighting.
The finishes we offer
| Product | Finish options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business cards | None, matt laminate or gloss laminate (both sides or front only), soft-touch laminate (both sides), or gloss varnish | Standard card is 400gsm silk; the options depend on the card you choose |
| Leaflets and flyers | No laminate | Choose 135gsm gloss, 170gsm gloss or 170gsm silk paper |
| Folded leaflets | No laminate | 135gsm or 170gsm gloss paper |
On business cards, 250 double-sided cards cost £23 with no finish, £25 with matt laminate and £30 with soft-touch laminate. These are live prices, with VAT at 20% included and free delivery to UK mainland addresses.
Gloss paper is not gloss lamination
People sometimes mix the two up. Gloss paper has a shiny coating built into the paper, which holds the ink on the surface so colours look bright. A gloss laminate is a separate plastic film added after printing. Our leaflets on 135gsm or 170gsm gloss paper are shiny without any laminate. Silk paper is the low-sheen alternative, and our standard business card is 400gsm silk card, which has a gentle sheen of its own before any laminate is added.
Which finish for your business cards
- No finish: the silk card as it is, with a gentle sheen. A good choice if anyone writes on the cards, such as appointment or loyalty cards; our uncoated cards are easier still to write on.
- Matt laminate: a smooth, protected, low-sheen surface for cards that spend time in wallets, pockets, bags or vans. Our page for trade business cards suggests it for cards kept in a van or toolbox.
- Gloss laminate: a shiny, protected surface that makes colours and photos look bright, though it reflects light.
- Soft-touch laminate: the same protection with a velvety feel, for cards where the feel matters. Our soft-touch lamination guide covers it in detail.
A laminated surface does not take a pen as easily as plain card. Like any matt film, matt and soft-touch take a little shine off colours, so very bright tones can look slightly calmer than on unlaminated card.
Artwork for laminated cards
The laminate goes on after printing, so the artwork is the same for every finish: 91 x 61mm with 3mm of bleed, text and logos 5mm inside the trim, a PDF in CMYK with the front on page 1 and the back on page 2. Our free business card template has the lines marked, and our business card design tips cover the layout. The on-screen proof shows your layout, trim and safe area, not the feel of the finish.
Questions
What is matt lamination? Matt lamination is a thin, clear film bonded over the print after printing. It gives a smooth, low-sheen finish, cuts glare and helps protect the print from scuffs and finger marks. We offer it on our business cards, on both sides or the front only.
What is the difference between matt and gloss lamination? Both are clear protective films. Matt lamination has a low sheen with no glare; gloss lamination is shiny and reflects light. We offer matt, gloss and soft-touch laminate on business cards.
Do you offer gloss lamination? Yes, on business cards, on both sides or the front only. We also offer a gloss varnish on business cards. For a shiny printed piece without a laminate, our leaflets are printed on 135gsm or 170gsm gloss paper.
Is matt laminate the same as soft-touch? No. Both are low-sheen films that resist scuffs, but matt laminate feels smooth and soft-touch feels velvety. Both are options on our business cards: matt on both sides or the front only, soft-touch on both sides.
Can you laminate leaflets? Not at present. Our leaflets and folded leaflets are supplied without a laminate, on the paper's own gloss or silk surface. Lamination is an option on our business cards.
Can you write on matt laminated business cards? It is harder than on plain card, because a laminated surface does not take a pen as easily. If you write on your cards, choose no finish, or one of our uncoated cards, which take a pen best.
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