When it comes to choosing a printing process for your business cards, postcards, brochures, flyers, presentation folders, or any other printed product, there are many factors to consider. Matte vs glossy finish will be one of the main decisions you will need to make.
In this blog post, we will outline what matte and glossy finishes are, which type of printing they best suit, and when it’s better to choose one over the other. We will also explain why Printfever—a Miami-based printing company with over 20 years of experience in the industry—is your go-to choice for all your printing needs.
What is Matte Finish?
Matte finish is a non-reflective coating that can be applied to almost any printed material. This type of finish provides a dull look and feel while adding subtle texture to the surface. It absorbs light instead of reflecting it—which makes reading from matte paper easier on the eyes since it does not create an annoying glare.
Due to its lack of shine, ink colors appear more intense and vibrant on matte paper than on glossy paper—which makes this kind of finish ideal for photographs, business cards, EDDM postcards, and full-color artwork that require accurate color representation.
One downside of having a matte finish is that fingerprints or dust can show up much more easily than on glossier surfaces—which means products with matte finishes like presentation folders must be stored and handled properly at all times to maintain their quality.
Another downside is that because this type of finish has more tactile properties than glossier finishes, some people may find it harder to write on than glossier surfaces if they like writing with ballpoint pens (although gel pens work fine).
What is Glossy Finish?
Glossy finish adds shine and reflectivity to any printed material by utilizing transparent varnishes or UV coatings applied during the production process. This enhances colors making them appear richer and more vivid compared to those printed in matte paper. Glossy prints are best suited for high contrast black/white photos due to their ability to bring out contrast levels while still keeping details intact.
Unlike mattes finishes, glossy surfaces do not absorb light—so text tends look slightly blurry when viewed from afar (although clarity improves dramatically as you get closer). Additionally, glossy surfaces hide fingerprints better since dust particles don’t stick as easily due their higher reflectivity level thus providing excellent durability over time even when exposed repeatedly handling or adverse conditions such as humidity or extreme temperatures.
One negative associated with glossy prints is that even though colors appear brighter compared to mattes—they also tend lose accuracy especially when depicting yellows and blues since these two colors have particularly low saturation levels on most printers used today (unless extra effort has been put into calibrating such printers).
Ink smudges are also more common problem with glossy prints compared mattes because greasy fingers have a greater tendency “pull” the ink around causing blurring effects which can only be corrected by reprinting the affected area(s).
Which Printing Finish Should You Choose?
The type of finish you should choose depends mostly on what you plan using your prints for: If you’re looking for something professional where accuracy in color representation matters then a matte finish might be best option.
On the contrary however if durability was paramount then glossy would be perfect choice since materials with glossy coating are usually more resistant over time being able handle repeated use without compromising its aesthetic qualities (as previously mentioned).
For everyday use such as school projects or art prints where humidity & temperature fluctuation aren’t an issue; both gloss & mat options provide decent results but depending how often you plan using it upon should determine which one you should opt for since each has different pros & cons (as discussed earlier).
Business Cards, Postcards, Brochures & Flyers
Business cards are usually printed with a matte finish to help the text stand out and to give them a more professional look. Matte finishes also allow for full color prints without losing accuracy in terms of color representation which is very important when trying to convey a company’s brand message.
When designing your business card, ask your graphic designer to create a design that utilizes contrast between the background and text colors as this will make it easier for the printer to apply a matte finish without compromising its aesthetics.
Postcards, brochures, and flyers tend to be printed mostly with a glossy finish as its ability to bring out contrast levels (especially when printing photos) is far superior than mattes. Glossy prints also provide an extra layer of protection against scratches and smudges which can be very useful when passing them around multiple times in busy areas.
Conclusion
Matte vs glossy finish is a common debate among printing professionals and depending on what you plan using the printed materials for, one might be better than the other. However it’s important to keep in mind that both have their pros & cons when applied accordingly so make sure to pick the option that best aligns with your needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a reliable printing company in Miami, Printfever has over 20 years of experience providing top-notch services at an affordable rate; so make sure to check us out for all your printing needs!
At Printfever, we offer an extensive range of paper stocks. Whether you are printing a business card, a postcard, a flyer or a poster, you can find the perfect paper with us – from glossy to matte and all other options in between. Our selection of beautiful papers and finishes are just as unique as they are timeless. You’ll be able to find exactly what you need for your prints with us, contact us today for more information.
