Glossy vs. Matte Finish in Mylar Bag Packaging Design: What’s Better For Your Business?

The choice between your mylar bag packaging’s glossy and matte finishing depends on your brand image and customers’ expectations. Glossy finishing gives your product an eye-catching look, while matte finishing gives your mylar packaging a sophisticated look. Before you choose any of them, consider factors like your budget, brand goals, and customers’ expectations. 

In the modern customer era, packaging is perceived as more than just a protective layer. Now, experts consider it a brand ambassador and a crucial factor for customer experience. Brands often overlook the colors, graphics, or we can say that the overall finishing of the packaging. But in reality, finishing enhances the visual appearance of mylar bag packaging and impacts consumer purchasing decisions.

If you have chosen Mylar pouches as your primary packaging solution and are stuck about the choice between glossy or matte finishing, then don’t worry. As a packaging enthusiast, I’ve written this guide to help you make an informed decision about finishing choices.

Let’s get the process started. 

A Short Introduction to Mylar Bag Packaging

Mylar bag packaging is a type of packaging bag that is made from BOPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate), commonly referred to as Mylar. This is the reason that we often use the term “Mylar” for these specific bags. 

With this packaging solution, your products will be secured for a longer period of time because it provides an excellent barrier against moisture, oxygen, light, and aroma. Furthermore, these pouches are suitable for a wide range of products, such as food, supplements, and cosmetics. 

One of the primary reasons why mylar bags are used so widely is that they are highly durable and protective. Mylar bags offer a flexible and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes, and can be customized with a logo, ordered wholesale, or ordered in bulk.

What Is Glossy Finishing for Mylar Bags?

Surfaces with glossy finishes feel smooth and slick, and they are shiny and reflective. The luster of this finish gives colors a vibrant appearance, and its ability to make colors stand out is what makes it so popular.

With a glossy finish, mylar bag packaging has a shiny, reflective appearance, enhancing the vibrancy of colors and making them visually appealing. In particular, it is often selected for products that stand out on shelves, especially when they have bold or colorful designs. Although glossy finishes tend to attract fingerprints and smudges, you should consider how the product is handled and stored.  

Benefits of Glossy Finishing

Here are some benefits of glossy finishing for custom mylar packaging.

• Vibrant Color Reproduction: Reflecting surfaces make colors appear more vibrant, which is perfect for brands with a specific color palette.
• High-End Appeal: A polished, shiny appearance often suggests quality, especially for luxury edibles and cosmetics.
• Durability and Cleanliness: Glossy bags are more resistant to minor scuffs and tears than matte bags because of their smooth, sealed surfaces. 
• Cost-Effective: Glossy laminations are often more cost-effective than specialty mattes, particularly for bulk mylar bags.

Potential Drawbacks

Although there are many benefits of this finishing type, here are some of its drawbacks. 

• Shiny surfaces show fingerprints and smudges clearly.
• Bright lights can make it hard to read products.
• As a common finish, it might not make your product stand out.

What Is Matte Finishing for Mylar Bags?

The texture of matte finishing is smoother and often has a velvety or subtle feel. Since air interacts with the texture, there is less friction compared to gloss finishes. Therefore, it does not reflect light. They’re perfect if you’re into muted color schemes, minimalist branding, or intricate textured designs.

The matte finish on Mylar bags makes them smooth, non-reflective, and sophisticated. In retail settings, these finishes are often chosen as they make packaging stand out and are appealing to the eye. Typically, matte finishes reflect luxury, craftsmanship, and a natural, organic feel.

How Matte Finishing is Achieved?

Matte mylar bag packaging is achieved by applying a special lamination that diffuses rather than reflects light. With this soft, muted look, the packaging appears sophisticated and understated.

Benefits of Matte Mylar Bags

Having a matte finish has aesthetic benefits as well as practical benefits.

• Sophisticated and Premium Feel: Non-reflective surfaces provide a luxurious and high-end feel that can justify an expensive price point.
• Excellent Tactile Experience: A velvety texture makes for an enjoyable and memorable customer experience.
• Hides Imperfections: Matte bags hide fingerprints, scuffs, and small scratches far better than glossy bags. It provides a cleaner look over time.
• No Glare: These finishes absorb light, which means your custom printed mylar bags are easy to read under any lighting condition. This eliminates annoying reflections.

Drawbacks of Matte Finishing Myler Packaging

• Colors may appear less vibrant compared to a glossy finish.
• Matte finishes can show scuff marks more easily.
• The specialized lamination process can be slightly more expensive.

Glossy vs. Matte – Head-to-Head Comparison

To select the best finishing for mylar bag packaging, it’s helpful to compare both finishes based on several key criteria.

Here’s the comparison table:

Making an Informed Decision for Long-Term Success

You should invest time and money into deciding whether you want a glossy or matte finish. It is important to consider all factors when choosing a packaging solution, from aesthetics and audience to cost and environmental impact. You should protect your product as well as strengthen your brand identity and increase customer loyalty.

Final Thoughts on Mylar Bag Packaging Design

There is no one right answer when it comes to gloss vs. matte mylar bag packaging finishes. You should choose your products based on the distinctiveness of your brand, your target audience, and the nature of your product. Having a glossy finish adds a distinctive shine to products that need to stand out. Glossy finishes display a vibrant, bold appearance that will catch the eye. It conveys a sense of elegance, luxury, and quality, which is perfect for brands that want to convey quality, luxury, and authenticity through a matte finish.