What Are the Differences Between Matte and High Gloss Water-Based Varnishes?
Date: Jun 30 2025 From: Star Color Views:
In the post-processing stage of printed materials, water-based varnishes are a common method to enhance the appearance and durability of printed products. Among them, matte and glossy varnishes each have distinct characteristics in terms of application effects and functions. Choosing the right varnish can significantly impact the final presentation and performance of packaging or printed materials.
I. Appearance and Visual Impact
Glossy water-based varnish creates a shiny, highly reflective surface. It not only makes the colors on printed materials more vivid and eye-catching but also endows them with a high-end, exquisite texture. It is an excellent choice for products that need to stand out visually. For example:
- Luxury packaging: It instantly elevates the product’s grade and attracts consumers’ attention.
- Exquisite brochures and catalogs: With glossy varnish, images and text become more vivid, better showcasing product information.
- Product labels: After applying glossy varnish, they can form a striking contrast with other products on the shelf, quickly capturing shoppers’ eyes.
Matte water-based varnish, on the other hand, presents a soft, non-reflective surface, exuding elegance and sophistication. In building high-end brands, when a low-key yet tactile effect is required, matte varnish is often the first choice. It is not as ostentatious as glossy varnish but subtly highlights the brand’s high quality and unique style.
II. Surface Touch and Texture
The surface formed by glossy varnish is smooth and sleek, further enhancing its sense of refinement. However, this smoothness comes with a minor issue: the surface is relatively slippery, requiring more care during handling or use.
Matte varnish surfaces offer a velvety touch or a slight roughness. This texture not only provides better grip, making it more stable for people to hold printed materials, but also retains the natural texture of the paper itself, giving a warm and comfortable feel.
III. Scratch and Abrasion Resistance
In daily use, printed materials are inevitably subject to friction and scratches. Matte varnish performs better in this regard, as it is less likely to show scratches and fingerprints compared to glossy varnish. This feature makes matte varnish ideal for products that are frequently handled, such as brochures often browsed by customers or product manuals repeatedly taken. Even after multiple uses, the surface remains in good condition.
Although glossy varnish is aesthetically pleasing, it is relatively prone to surface marks. Especially if anti-scratch additives are not added, it easily leaves scratches, fingerprints, etc., during daily touch and friction, affecting its originally bright appearance.
IV. Print Readability
For printed materials with large amounts of text, such as manuals and books, matte varnish is a better choice. Due to its low reflectivity, it reduces light interference under different lighting conditions, making it easier for readers to see the text content and improving the reading experience. Text remains clear whether in bright sunlight or indoor lighting.
Glossy varnish, due to its strong reflectivity, may produce glare. For small fonts or dense text, this can interfere with readers’ vision, increase reading difficulty, and affect reading comfort.
V. Application Suitability
| Features |
Glossy Varnish |
Matte Varnish |
| Visual Appeal |
Vivid colors, eye-catching |
Soft and low-key, elegant |
| Touch |
Smooth and sleek |
Soft, rich in texture |
| Anti-fingerprint |
Low |
High |
| Suitable Print Types |
Labels, catalogs, display boxes |
Paper bags, books, luxury packaging |
| Star Color Recommendations |
Food and cosmetic labels |
High-grade cardboard and natural fiber packaging |
VI. Environmental Considerations
Both matte and glossy water-based varnishes from Star Color boast excellent environmental performance. They have low volatile organic compound (VOCs) content and do not cause serious air pollution. Meanwhile, the varnishes contain no harmful substances such as heavy metals or formaldehyde, complying with ROHS, REACH, and FDA food safety standards. These eco-friendly formulas meet sustainable packaging goals without compromising performance, allowing enterprises to pursue environmental protection without worries.
How to Choose?
The final choice between matte and glossy water-based varnishes depends on the product’s design goals, usage environment, and consumer perception.
- If you want to create a bold, eye-catching visual effect, glossy varnish is a good choice.
- If you pursue understated luxury and better readability, matte varnish is more suitable.
At Star Color, we provide customized matte and glossy water-based varnish solutions, carefully designed according to the specific needs of printing processes, to accurately meet all your requirements.
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