Varnish vs Lamination: Choosing the Right Finish for Your Packaging
When it comes to protecting and enhancing the look of your printed materials like packaging boxes or book covers, two popular finishes are varnish and lamination. Both act as coatings that shield the print from scratches, dirt, and fingerprints, but they offer different benefits.
Aqueous Varnish
Aqueous varnish is a water-based finish applied to printed artwork to lock in the ink. It comes in two main styles: matte and glossy, both of which are affordable and environmentally friendly options. Aqueous varnish is ideal for sustainable packaging and is often used for standard protection. For added effects, you can explore variants like UV varnish or soft-touch finishes.
Key Points About Varnish:
- Offers lighter protection
- Budget-friendly
- Environmentally conscious
Lamination
Lamination involves covering your print with a thin plastic film, such as polypropylene, to create a strong barrier against wear and tear. This process provides superior durability, making it an excellent choice for thicker materials or when you want to minimize the appearance of small cracks. Lamination comes in both matte and glossy finishes, with matte giving a smooth, refined feel, and glossy adding a vibrant shine. Most rigid boxes include lamination unless they are kraft boxes.
Key Points About Lamination:
- Provides robust protection
- More durable
- Higher cost
- Less eco-friendly