Soft touch coating is a growing trend in the packaging industry. It creates a velvety feel and matte texture. These features help products stand out on the shelf. They also shape how consumers view the brand.
This coating adds a smooth, soft-touch finish to bottles, jars, caps, and tubes. It feels premium and resists fingerprints. These qualities boost both look and function. The result is a better unboxing experience and stronger customer connection.
How soft-touch coating influences branding in cosmetic packaging
Packaging is often the first thing customers notice. Soft-touch coating creates a rich, tactile feel that improves first impressions. It works well on cosmetic moisturizer containers, flip-top bottles, and custom skincare bottles.
The coating supports brand identity by adding a sense of care and quality. It also protects packaging from moisture and wear. This helps both primary packaging and secondary packaging look fresh longer.
Materials and techniques for soft-touch finishing
There are many ways to create a soft-touch effect. These include spray coating, water-based coating, UV coating, and soft touch varnish. Each method offers a different look and feel.
Soft-touch lamination uses a film-based approach for a smooth surface. Liquid finishing uses materials such as polyurethane dispersions. They also use polyacrylate emulsions. These options add fingerprint resistance and stain resistance.
Other materials, like matting agents and UV-cured systems, improve surface texture. They also help manage the coating’s grip or friction level.
Soft-touch coating for skincare and personal care packaging
Skincare packaging often needs to look and feel gentle. Soft-touch coatings support this with a smooth surface and soft finish. They also protect against UV light and fading.
This coating works on pump bottles, blow-molded bottles, extruded tubes, and jars. It pairs well with bright colors and natural pigments. Brands can combine it with eco-friendly packaging. Examples are plant-based films or biodegradable laminates.
These options support luxury in packaging. These materials help support sustainability.
Versatility across industries and products
Soft-touch coatings aren’t just for cosmetics. They appear in luxury products like spirits, premium food and beverages, and CBD/THC oils. They also serve industries like automotive and electronics.
Coatings work with a variety of packaging substrates—plastic, aluminum, or packaging box paper. They pair well with techniques like hot stamping, in-mold decoration, and co-extrusion. Smart features like haptic mapping and sealing methods also benefit from soft-touch finishes.
This makes the coating useful in many markets beyond personal care.
Soft-touch coating and consumer experience
The coating improves the feel of a product, which shapes how it’s remembered. Soft-touch finishes make packaging feel more premium and easier to hold. That improves the overall consumer experience.
Techniques like silk screening, foil stamping, and spot UV finishing add visual depth. Together, these elements increase the product’s perceived value. The finish resists stains and fingerprints, keeping packaging clean longer.
Consumers notice and appreciate these small details.
Considerations in formulation and manufacturing
It’s important to choose the right materials and methods. Consider factors like adhesion, moisture resistance, and surface texture. Young’s modulus helps measure how flexible or soft the surface will be.
Soft-touch finishes must hold up during the blow molding process. They also need to survive storage, shipping, and handling. Coatings must bond well with plastic film, aluminum, and other substrate materials.
Choose materials that can be recycled to help the environment. Use coatings that are friendly to the environment. These choices include UV-curable formulas. They also include plant-based films and water-based options.
Contact us to explore soft-touch coating options. These are for your cosmetics packaging, skincare packaging, or private label cosmetics.