Matte FinishCoated paper with a dull, no-gloss finish without luster is known asmatte finish or just matte. Ink colors often appear softer on a matte finish. Text can be easier to read on matte finish papers than on glossier finishes. Photographs may be more vibrant on glossy paper; however a matte finish can give portraits a softer appearance.
Embossed Finish
A design or pattern pressed into paper during the manufacturing process is an embossed finish. After drying, paper passes between engraved metal rolls to create raised, textured finishes such as a linen finish.
An embossed finish is often used for stationery, letterhead, invitations, and anytime a nice, elegant look is desired. This type of embossing occurs during the papermaking process, unlike other types of embossing that are applied after printing.
A design or pattern pressed into paper during the manufacturing process is an embossed finish. After drying, paper passes between engraved metal rolls to create raised, textured finishes such as a linen finish.
An embossed finish is often used for stationery, letterhead, invitations, and anytime a nice, elegant look is desired. This type of embossing occurs during the papermaking process, unlike other types of embossing that are applied after printing.
LaminationLamination is the process of using an ultra thin plastic film which can be applied to almost any paper or board and is more commonly used in gloss, silk and matt finishes. A lamination will cover the whole side or sides of a document and cannot be used to cover a specific area alone.
Lamination Pros:
- can be used to enhance the appearance of standard paper boards at relatively low cost and is generally cheaper than a spot uv varnish in most cases
- will make a paper more durable and long lasting and can actually offer some water/grease resistance
- eliminates cracking of ink on creases
- no set up costs
Lamination Cons:
- can only be used to cover a whole side of a document
- matt lamination over a dark colour will show scratches and finger prints, more so than gloss
UV VarnishUV (ultra violet) Varnish is a liquid coating used to ‘mask off’ any area of a design and enhance it (ie. varnishing text, logos or images whilst leaving the remainder of the page unaffected). Unlike a lamination, UV varnishes come in an array of finishes and not only include gloss and matt but also glitter and colour-flip versions as well as many others.
UV Varnish Pros:
- can be used to enhance specific areas such as text, logos or images rather than cover a whole page
- additional substances can be added to varnish to increases its versatility such as glitter
- can be used in conjunction with a laminate and printed over the top to create a more creative and diverse result
UV Varnish Cons:
- if printed over a crease in a document it will crack in the same way ink does
- if printed over text or images will be subject to ‘make ready’ die charges which increases its cost
- due to additional set up required uv varnishing is a longer process than lamination
A neutral Varnish (which is invisible to the eye) may also be used to ‘coat’ or ‘seal’ the ink and can be applied ‘online’ (the varnish is applied directly to the product on the press after the ink has been printed) or ‘offline’ which means it is applied some time after the print process. This is not the same as a Spot UV Varnish will generally cover the whole of a document to prevent ink offset.
Smooth paper with a low gloss finish is said to have a dull finish. More luster than matte but not high gloss.
Dull finish papers can be utilitarian, such as some tissue papers used to stuff shoeboxes or wrap clothing. Dull finish papers can also be elegant choices for invitations and greeting cards - typically going by more elegant-sounding names such as velvet or satin finish.
Foil Blocking
Offering a metallic finish over fine or larger areas, foil blocking creates something special. You can select matt or gloss foils in gold, silver or other colours and, optionally, make the foiled area stand out with blind embossing.
Calendared Finish
In paper manufacturing, calendering is the process of smoothing the surface of the paper by pressing it between cylinders or rollers - the calender - at the end of the papermaking process. Uncalendered papers — those not made smooth by calendering — have a less smooth texture.Calendering produces a smooth, uniform surface more suitable for writing and many printing processes than uncalendered papers. Heating the calender can produce smoother paper while cool rollers give slightly more texture.
Hot pressed papers are often used by artists who want fine detail whether using pen, pencil, or paint. The medium flows more smoothly across the paper. Hot pressed papers are good for photographic quality prints whether glossy or matte.
Cold Pressed
Finished sheets of paper pressed between cold cylinders (calenders) to produce a slightly textured surface are cold pressed.
Pressing the paper through rollers at the end of the papermaking process smooths the surface for printing and writing but still leaves some texture; unlikehot pressed papers made using heated cylinders which are smoother than cold pressed.
Felt Finish
An uncoated, uncalendered paper that has a surface texture created by pressing the paper with patterned woven wool or synthetic felt belts during manufacture is paper with a felt finish. The process creates a paper with both a velvety look and feel to it. Use felt finish paper for projects from brochures to letterheads to fliers.
Eggshell Finish / Antique Finish
An eggshell finish is found on uncoated, uncalendered paper with a fairly subtle but rough texture. It resembles the surface of an eggshell — which, if you look closely, isn't solidly smooth. It is similar to and may sometimes be referred to as an antique finish.
Paper with an eggshell finish is often used for book papers (the usual choice for books, newsletters, or brochures) and cover papers (such as used for some book covers, greeting cards, and business cards).
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