With such a wide array of finishes used to improve the appearance of printed marketing materials, like business cards and promotion flyers, it can get a bit overwhelming. For example, what is velvet lamination? What is soft-touch printing? And what are the differences between the two?. Selecting the right finish is crucial – it will make your initiative appear more professional, while dramatically enhancing the overall look of your campaign. Picking the finish that fits your business like a glove will get your brand noticed! You are probably familiar with some of the more popular print finishes in the industry like embossing and debossing, spot UV coating, and die-cutting. Here at 4OVER4.COM, we call them the Fantastic Finishes and they can truly bring your design to a luxurious level. Among those glamorous finishes, you'll find velvet lamination and soft-touch printing, two prime examples of fresh, new ideas that are making their entrance into the printing world. But, what’s so great about them? These high-end finishes add a velvety-soft feel to prints! Imagine if you were handed a velvet business card. The printed piece gains distinction as it stimulates the sense of touch as well as the sense of sight and would leave a lasting impression to keep their contact information at the forefront of your mind. 
Velvet Lamination VS. Soft Touch Printing
How do velvet lamination and soft touch printing compare? Even though both options produce slightly similar results, there is a difference. Velvet lamination adds a protective layer to your prints, resulting in muted colors and added elegance. On the other hand, soft touch printing adds a smooth feel to print materials that does not affect the overall look.
So, which of these sophisticated finishes would you prefer? By identifying your printing needs and learning everything you need to know about velvet lamination and soft-touch coating, you can make a more informed decision.
What is Velvet Lamination?
Velvet lamination provides such a soft texture that has been compared to the skin of a fresh peach! Also known as “velvet-feel”, it adds a protective layer that results in long-lasting prints with a delicate feel. Velvet laminate finish can easily wow a target audience by providing a deeper and richer look to printed materials. This high-end velvet touch is a perfect choice for those businesses looking for something a little off the beaten path. Choosing something like velvet laminated business cards can really give put you ahead of the game.
This finish is applied for both functional and aesthetic purposes. It works well on business cards, catalogs, greeting cards and more. You could even use velvet lamination to create velvet thank you cards to add that extra touch of gratitude.
A scuff-free velvet finish adds a flexible look and feel, which softens colors, reduces contrast and gives an overall lighter appearance. It will not only look visually appealing, but also add another element of impact on potential customers once they feel the luxurious finish. Sounds like a perfect match for your printing needs? Check out our coveted velvet laminated greeting cards. They come in several convenient sizes and can be printed in full color on one or both sides. Ask for free samples!
Choose Velvet Lamination if You Need:
- Scratch-resistant surfaces that add depth to your printed graphics
- Material that increases the life of your print with a velvet touch
- Striking yet elegant appearance
- Durable prints that seduce your audience
- Non-glossy effect
What is Soft-Touch Lamination?
Similar to velvet lamination, soft-touch coating creates a velvety texture, almost like suede. This stylish finish allows a printed piece to stand out from others by creating a subtly plush texture that encourages touch and engagement. The best part is that this unique texture does not diminish color or quality. Plus, it is environmentally friendly!
Soft touch coating is quickly growing in popularity! It can be applied to almost any print product and brings instant attention to your marketing initiatives and networking needs. You can order soft touch business cards, postcards, catalogs, brochures, book covers or hangtags and choose among twelve rich color seams and various paper thickness options. Additionally, soft-touch coating is less expensive than velvet lamination.
Choose Soft Touch Coating if You Need:
- A soft look and feel on your printed materials
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
- Printed pieces that do not yellow over time
- A choice of various paper thickness options
- Sophisticated prints that increase tactile appeal
Other Important Benefits of These Coveted Finishes
- In general, soft-touch coating delivers a chic, matte effect while also providing a luxurious, tactile feel. This is great to keep in mind when considering matte vs velvet lamination. These one-of-a-kind attributes can boost customer engagement, while positively reflecting brand image.
- Velvet lamination is scuff-resistant, making this finish useful for print items in solid colors. Besides, its anti-scratch property also comes in handy for matte packaging solutions or other print products that are highly-susceptible to scratches.
- Although a velvet touch enhances user experience, velvet lamination is a much more expensive finish than soft touch coating. For those business owners or freelancers on a tight budget, soft-touch coating is an excellent solution for a distinctive and exceptional finish!
Last Thoughts
Knowing the differences between soft touch and velvet lamination can be very beneficial to your business when deciding which finish to select for your brand. We hope this comparison of the most lavish finishes available comes in handy. Dare to stand out by selecting a classy finish that complements your project, giving your print items, like business cards or marketing materials, the look your brand deserves! You won't just see the difference, but also feel it as well.
Which printing process or technique appeals the most to you? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to kindly leave a comment below.
Do you have an upcoming print job or project? Browse our Full Selection of Fantastic Finishes for further inspiration! Look to 4OVER4 for all our your personal and professional printing needs whether it be high gloss, glossy, matte, metallic prints, or any other request we can help you achieve your printing needs!
