Varnish is a coating that is applied to labels to enhance their appearance or feel. There are three key reasons to pay attention to the type of label varnish you use. One is that it can protect the ink from smudging, scuffing, or other types of damage, preserving the integrity of your design.
Additionally, it can add a decorative touch that makes your labels stand out on store shelves. While the benefits of using varnishes and lamination for design protection and creating a printable surface are obvious, it’s also worth considering how they can be used to make your labels more visually appealing.
There are different types of varnish, each with specific uses and benefits.
- Gloss varnish makes labels look glossy and brightens up the finish, adding depth to the colors. This is the most common type of gloss varnish, and it is most often used on indoor products like vitamins, squeezable containers, or food products.
- Matte varnish creates a more subtle, elegant look and can make some colors look different. This type of varnish is often used on products where a muted look is desired, such as elegant products.
- Combination gloss/matte varnish, labels can be spot printed with different varnishes to create a unique look, with contrast that makes a product stand out from the rest on the shelf by adding depth and texture. This is good for adding a dramatic look on black surfaces, an example of that would be a wine bottle label.
There are several types of specialty varnishes that provide added functionality and a pleasing tactile experience. These include:
- Soft-touch varnishes make labels feel smoother to the touch. While screen printing can also provide a tactile feel, it is limited to a maximum of three colors. Using a soft-touch varnish allows you to maintain a pleasant feel without sacrificing color options.
- Sand varnishes using this kind of varnish will give the label a sand-like texture, best use of it is for special promotion labels, luxury product, wine and spirits, and more.
