In the packaging printing industry, laminating is a key step in improving product texture and durability. Just like putting a layer of protective clothing on printed materials, it can not only prevent water and dirt, extend the service life, but also give the packaging a unique visual and tactile experience through different gloss and touch.
Are you indecisive when choosing packaging: should you choose bright film or matte film? What scenarios are laser film and tactile film suitable for? Today, we will comprehensively review the common types of film covering for packaging and printing products, and break down their characteristics, usage, and core advantages.
Basic laminated design
As the “main force” in the laminating industry, bright film and matte film cover more than 80% of conventional packaging needs. The core difference between the two lies in glossiness and texture, with affordable prices and wide applicability.
1. Bright film
Core features: The surface is crystal clear, with extremely high glossiness, which can restore the original color of printed materials to the greatest extent possible, making the colors more vivid and full, and having a strong visual impact. After laminating, the surface is smooth, with excellent waterproof, anti fouling, and wear-resistant properties, and the cost is relatively low.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for packaging that needs to highlight color expression, such as hardcover book covers, high-end paper boxes, food packaging bags, handbags, etc.
Tips: Bright film has obvious reflection, which may affect reading or viewing in strong light. Therefore, it is not recommended to use printed materials such as calendars, manuals, and those that require frequent browsing.
02. Matte film
Core features: The surface has a matte effect, is non reflective, has a delicate and warm touch, and can make printed colors soft and introverted. It comes with an “advanced filter” and can also cover minor printing defects such as uneven ink and overlapping dots.
Applicable scenarios: Packaging that pursues low-key texture, such as prints, high-end book covers, business cards, car stickers, luxury gift box liners, etc.
Tips: The price of matte film is usually slightly higher than that of glossy film, but the texture is more upscale and suitable for products that need to enhance brand tone.
Personalized laminated design
If you want the packaging to have its own “shining points”, laser film is definitely the first choice. It is a thin film with special optical effects, and its process can precisely control the thickness and uniformity of the coating, thereby achieving different laser effects. Laser film is a frequent customer in high-end packaging, with a wide variety of types available
Pearl laser film
Features: Contains calcium carbonate and pearlescent pigments, with a unique pearlescent effect and strong decorative properties.
Applicable scenarios: Widely used in packaging for industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and daily chemical products, it can enhance the attractiveness of products.
Circle/Diamond Laser Film
Circular laser film: A laser holographic film that uses PET film, PVC film, or BOPP film as the imprinting carrier, with circular laser patterns and strong decorative properties, which can add unique visual effects and anti-counterfeiting functions to product packaging.
Diamond shaped laser film: made of PET film or BOPP film as raw material, processed by vacuum aluminum plating, with good luster, strong metallic feeling, and can present strong bright seven color patterns under light irradiation.
Applicable scenarios: High end gift packaging, electronic product packaging boxes, etc., enhance the sense of technology and uniqueness.
Aperture laser film
Flash point laser film: Dazzling colors, difficult to erase patterns, high transparency can maintain the readability of object surfaces, and different color changes will be presented from different angles.
Aperture laser film: Under the illumination of light, the surface can refract different colors of light, reflecting different dazzling colors with changes in angle and light, and also has anti scratch function.
Snowflake laser film: The surface presents a texture similar to snowflakes, giving a visual effect of snowflakes falling or frosted, with a strong sense of three dimensionality and layering.
Applicable scenarios: Advertising materials, holiday gift packaging, high-end wine boxes, instantly capturing consumers’ attention.
Touch sensitive laminated design
Core features: The surface has a velvet like smooth and delicate touch, which is an upgraded version of matte film. It is wear-resistant and does not lose the printing tone after bonding. It has high haze and a more advanced matte effect.
Applicable scenarios: luxury packaging boxes (such as perfume boxes and watch boxes), advanced book covers, and brand paper products, to enhance users’ perception of product value through touch.
How to choose the appropriate type of film coating
How to choose the most suitable one for a product when faced with numerous types of lamination? You can consider the following aspects:
Product positioning: High end products can choose matte film, tactile film and other films to enhance texture; For mass consumer goods, low-cost films such as optical films can be chosen.
Usage scenario: For printed materials that require frequent touch, a tactile film can be selected; Outdoor printed materials should consider waterproof or UV resistant films.
Visual effect: If you want to highlight bright colors, you can choose a light film; Pursuing low-key luxury, matte film is more suitable; Various laser films can be chosen to attract attention.
Budget factor: The cost of different types of film coating varies greatly, and the most suitable type should be selected within the budget range.
The laminating process, although only a post-processing step in packaging printing, can bring a qualitative leap to products. Choosing the appropriate type of film coating can make your product stand out among many competitors, enhancing both its appearance and practicality, achieving a perfect unity of beauty and practicality.
Post time: Dec-17-2025