Matte Finish in Packaging: Definition, Types, Process, Benefits, and Uses

A matte finish is a low-glare surface created through coatings or matte films that scatter light and produce a smooth, non-shiny appearance, measured by gloss units under standards such as ASTM D523. Packaging uses several matte types, including aqueous, UV-curable, solvent-based, matte film laminates, and soft-touch systems, each offering different hardness, texture, and durability. Aqueous mattes provide subtle color control, UV mattes cure quickly for harder surfaces, solvent-based options work on difficult substrates, matte films add strong protection, and soft-touch versions create a velvety feel. Matte finishing in packaging applies a low-glare surface through controlled printing, coating, or lamination, curing, and conversion steps. Printers adjust ink for matte stocks, then add matte coatings or films and fully cure them before die-cutting and folding. 

Final QC checks confirm gloss level, surface uniformity, and scuff resistance. Matte finishes reduce glare, support refined premium branding, improve tactile handling, and offer stable abrasion performance, while water-based systems also enhance recyclability and control costs. These finishes appear widely in cosmetics for fingerprint-free surfaces, in spirits packaging for glare-controlled labels, in electronics boxes for scratch resistance, and in pharmaceutical cartons to maintain text clarity under bright lighting.

What is a Matte Finish?

A matte finish is a low-reflectance surface treatment that lowers glare by scattering light through micro‑roughness or a matte binder. It appears smooth and non‑shiny, and it aligns with packaging that targets a subtle or refined look. Coating systems or laminated films create this effect, and each method controls gloss through surface texture. Surface gloss is measured in gloss units at standardized angles such as 60° per ASTM D523.

Which Types of Matte Finishes are Used in Packaging?

Matte finishes are primarily applied as coating systems or film laminates; the main families are aqueous matte varnishes, UV‑curable matte varnishes, solvent-based mattes, matte film laminates, and soft-touch matte systems.

Aqueous Matte Varnish

Aqueous matte varnish is a water‑dispersed polymer coating that forms a low‑glare, non‑reflective surface with a soft texture. Printers apply it as a full coat or spot coat on coated paperboard and C1S sheets in offset and some digital runs. It lowers gloss levels, calms saturated colors, and draws attention to structure and typography, which suits brands that want a quiet or restrained look rather than the shine associated with gloss finishes.

Aqueous matte varnish creates moderate hardness and moderate abrasion resistance, shifts dot gain, and alters density in dense images. It hides small surface marks but scuffs in tight packing lines. The smooth surface fits short runs or folding cartons in cosmetics or electronics, and it matches matte‑leaning brand positions that use non‑reflective finishes for subtle, professional identities.

UV‑Curable Matte Varnish

UV‑curable matte varnish is a solventless coating that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet radiation; it functions as a radiation‑cured layer that produces low gloss and a harder surface. The cured film forms quickly on‑press, which raises press speed and supports immediate downstream steps such as die‑cutting and folding. The hardened layer reduces glare, keeps colors controlled under matte conditions, and limits set‑off compared with aqueous matte coatings.

UV curing uses press‑mounted lamps and photoinitiators matched to the ink layer. Substrate and ink checks occur before production, because surface tension or ink chemistry can restrict curing. Matte coatings support brand targets that lean toward a quiet look rather than the glare associated with gloss, if the design calls for it. 

Solvent-Based Matte Coatings

Solvent-based matte coatings use polymer dispersions in volatile organic solvents to form a flat, low-glare surface. Printers use this type when water-based systems fail to wet the substrate or when specific binder chemistries control film hardness or barrier strength. The coating dries as the solvent evaporates, and this step creates a uniform matte layer that reduces reflection and keeps color output stable. VOC emissions occur during drying, and facilities run explosion-proof equipment to maintain safety. These coatings support matte packaging that aims for a quiet, controlled look, if color intensity or substrate behavior limits water-based choices.

Matte Film Lamination

Matte film lamination bonds a pre‑made matte film to a printed board with adhesive to add a smooth, non‑reflective layer. BOPP and CPP films appear most often because they add abrasion resistance, moisture control, and a uniform tactile surface. Lamination keeps glare low and prevents color shift under bright retail light, which supports matte branding where a soft, calm look matters more than shine. Cosmetics cartons, phone boxes, and other high‑handling items use this method because the film protects edges and keeps graphics stable.

Weight increases after lamination, and recycling becomes more complex if the film and board use different materials. The matte character stays consistent if the adhesive forms a flat bond line and the film stays free of stretch marks. 

Soft-touch Matte Finishes

Soft-touch matte finishes use coatings or films that create a velvety, low-friction surface. The layer increases grip through a higher coefficient of friction and reduces glare through diffuse light scatter. The surface collects lint or dust during heavy handling, and this effect appears on polyurethane-coated films used in cosmetics or electronics cartons. Matte systems support a quiet brand tone, and they fit packaging that avoids reflections or polished shine found in gloss designs.

What is the Process of Applying Matte Finish in Packaging?

Matte finishing follows a defined production path that applies a low‑glare surface either during printing or in a later conversion step. Each stage affects gloss measurement, surface uniformity, and handling behaviour.

The process of applying matte finish in packaging is detailed below:

Pre‑press Setup

Pre‑press staff set ink density targets on matte stocks because diffuse reflection drops saturation. Operators proof on matte sheets to confirm dot gain, trapping, and color stability before coating steps.

Printing Stage

Offset, flexography, or digital units print artwork before any matte layer sits on the sheet. Ink set time controls transfer behaviour during stacking, and dense areas receive added checks because matte coats mute dark tones.

Inline or Offline Matte Application

Coaters apply aqueous matte, UV‑matte, solvent‑borne mattes, or matte films. Coat weight sets gloss levels, and uniform coverage prevents sheen shifts across panels. Matte films add stronger abrasion control on cartons exposed to repeated handling.

Curing or Drying

UV lamps cure UV‑matte layers, and drying units remove water or solvent from aqueous or solvent‑borne coatings. The cured film fixes the micro‑roughness that scatters light and creates a low‑glare surface. Inconsistent cure raises blocking during stacking.

Optional Contrast Effects

Spot gloss, foil, or embossing sits on top of matte layers when designers want contrast between flat and reflective surfaces. Matte zones keep glare low, and gloss accents pull focus without shifting the full panel into reflectance.

Die‑cutting, Folding, and Gluing

Conversion begins after coating or lamination reaches full cure. Matte layers scuff at tight folds if their hardness is low, and crease pressure changes reduce visible marks. Soft‑touch coats attract lint during folding if airflow is uncontrolled.

Inspection and Gloss Verification

Quality staff check gloss uniformity, surface scuffing, and color stability. Readings follow ASTM D523, and abrasion tests follow industry rub methods. The target is a non‑reflective surface that matches the design intent for matte packaging.

What are the Benefits of Matte Finish in Packaging?

The benefits of matte finish in packaging are detailed below:

Reduced Glare and Controlled Color Response

Matte finish reduces glare and lowers specular reflection, which stabilizes visual reading under retail lighting and keeps graphics consistent at multiple viewing angles. Micro‑roughness scatters incident light, and this step lowers highlight intensity and softens contrast. Color saturation drops because specular peaks flatten; designers raise ink density or adjust black builds if the artwork requires a deeper tone. Proofing on the intended matte surface confirms dot gain and trapping behaviour for offset, flexo, and digital systems.

Refined Appearance for Premium Branding

Matte finish produces a subtle surface that supports luxury or professional branding cues. The finish masks small print defects, hides fingerprints, and produces a calm surface that differs from the polished shine of gloss. Cosmetics cartons, spirits packaging, and electronics boxes use matte effects when the brand requires restrained color or muted reflectance. 

Improved Tactile Feel and Handling Control

Matte finish increases friction and improves grip if soft‑touch or textured matte systems are used. Coating chemistry determines slip: soft‑touch coatings generate velvety, low‑slip surfaces, and matte laminates add uniform texture. These finishes increase user control during unboxing and reduce accidental slips, but they gather lint during heavy handling. UV‑cured mattes and laminated films resist surface wear better than aqueous mattes if repeated touch occurs.

Stable Performance Under Abrasion and Conversion

Matte finish improves surface stability under mechanical stress if a laminated or UV-cured system is selected. Gloss measurements under ASTM D523 confirm finish uniformity, and abrasion or rub testing under ASTM D4060 or industry rub tests sets acceptance levels. UV-cured matte coatings show higher hardness than aqueous mattes, and matte film lamination adds the strongest abrasion resistance for high-handling cartons such as electronics or cosmetics packages. During conversion, adequate cure time prevents blocking, and slip sheets reduce scuffing on sensitive matte surfaces.

Recyclability Advantages with Water‑based Systems

Matte finish supports recyclability when water‑based coatings or mono‑material films are used. Aqueous matte varnish enters standard fiber streams without added separation steps, while multi‑layer laminates slow pulping or require material sorting. Mono‑PP matte films match mechanical recycling for polyolefin flows. If compostability targets apply, PLA matte films demand industrial composting access. Material choice determines end‑of‑life compatibility more than the matte appearance.

Cost Control Across Print Runs

Matte finish reduces finishing cost when aqueous systems are used, and cost rises when UV‑cured or laminated systems replace them. Short‑run production uses spot aqueous coatings or digital matte treatments to manage setup time. Long‑run lamination spreads film cost across higher volumes and produces consistent abrasion resistance. Procurement variables include film thickness, adhesive chemistry, drying energy, and added embellishment steps such as foil or embossing.

What Industries Use Matte Finish in Packaging?

The industries that use matte finish in packaging include cosmetics, spirits, electronics, pharmaceutical industries, which are detailed below:

Cosmetics Packaging

Cosmetics packaging applies matte finishes to cut glare under retail LEDs and to keep surfaces clean during repeated contact. Soft‑touch coats or matte films hide fingerprints on lipstick cartons, compact cases, and small folding cartons where gloss reflection shifts brand color. A low‑reflective layer steadies muted tones and aligns with restrained branding if the artwork depends on subtle gradients. 

Spirits Packaging

Spirits packaging uses matte coats on textured boards to control glare around foil or spot‑gloss accents. Gift boxes and primary labels keep foil edges readable under shelf LEDs, if glare from gloss interferes with legibility. Matte layers hide transit scuffs on long shipping routes and stabilize printed tones on dark substrates. 

Electronics Packaging 

Electronics packaging applies UV‑matte coats or matte lamination to limit reflection from overhead LEDs and to reduce surface scratching during distribution. Smartphone boxes, earbuds cartons, and accessory sleeves use matte films on high‑ink‑density panels where dark colors amplify gloss defects. A matte surface keeps barcode panels readable if scanners misread glossy substrates. 

Pharmaceutical 

The pharmaceutical industry uses matte coatings on the cartons to preserve text clarity and to limit scatter on dosage panels. A matte coat holds ink edges on small characters, if regulatory layouts require dense instructions. Overhead lights in clinics generate bright reflections on gloss boards, so matte surfaces keep contrast uniform and reduce visual noise during verification steps. 

Does Matte Finish Make Printed Colors Look Duller?

Yes, matte reduces specular highlights and lowers perceived saturation and contrast, and you raise ink density or add spot gloss on selected areas to bring back color strength, and this adjustment keeps a soft and calm look that matches matte branding.

Is Matte Finish More Scratch‑Prone than Gloss?

No, matte finish does not show scratches more than gloss, because scratch visibility depends on coating chemistry, and UV‑cured mattes or matte films mask abrasion better than aqueous mattes if repeated handling occurs.

Can Matte Finish be Recycled With Kraft or OCC Streams?

Water-based matte coatings on paperboard are generally compatible with fiber recycling streams, whereas multi-material laminates and solvent-borne systems may complicate recycling unless designed as mono-material constructions.