Topic 2 ยท Covers
Lamination and coatings
The short answerLamination protects the cover. Matte is soft and understated, gloss makes colour pop, and spot gloss highlights one area.
Did you know?
Matte all over plus spot gloss on the title: the contrast is the classic luxe look.
The details
| Finish | Look and feel | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Matte lamination (regular) | Soft, non-glare, premium | Shows fingerprints and scuffs; lowest cost |
| Matte, scuff-resistant | As matte | A little more expensive |
| Soft touch | Velvety feel | Premium |
| Gloss lamination | Shiny, vibrant colour; wipes clean | Glare and reflections |
| Spot gloss UV | Gloss on a title, logo or image over matte | The matte and gloss contrast reads as luxe |
| AQ coating | Water-based sealant, gloss or matte | Common on interior pages and board books |
Pop quiz
You want a velvety cover people keep touching. Which finish?
Common questions
Do I need lamination on a printed cover?
We recommend it. A matte or gloss lamination adds durability and protection to your book's cover.
What is a soft touch cover?
It is a matte lamination with a velvety, almost suede-like feel.
Will spot gloss line up exactly with my title on every copy?
Not always. It is hard to place spot gloss exactly on top of a title without some copies showing a very slight shift, usually under 2mm. It is not very noticeable, but it is a normal part of offset printing.
Keep exploring
Still deciding?
Our print team will talk it through with you, or get an instant quote.
Our print team will talk it through with you, or get an instant quote.
