Finishes
Soft-touch lamination
Soft-touch lamination wraps your printed box in an ultra-matte, velvety film with a suede-like feel in the hand, turning cosmetics, fragrance, jewelry and gift cartons into packaging customers notice the instant they pick it up.
Custom dielines · Free 3D mockup before you pay · Free US shipping
- AI-to-print studio includedAI concepts rebuilt onto exact dielines + 3D mockup
- 4–5 day rush specialistsPriority press lanes built for tight launch deadlines
- 3D mockup before you payAnd a digital proof of your design
- Free US shippingTo all 50 states · worldwide DDP shipping available
What is soft-touch lamination?
Soft-touch lamination bonds a specialized tactile matte film onto printed paperboard, rigid box wrap or corrugated liners using heat and pressure. Visually it delivers a deep, glare-free matte surface, while physically its micro-textured top layer feels warm, soft and plush under the fingers, protecting dark inks from cracking along creases and creating a striking backdrop for metallic foil stamping and glossy spot UV.
How it works
How does soft-touch lamination work?
- 01
Printed in CMYK or Pantone
Your artwork prints onto smooth coated paperboard, rigid wrap paper or mailer liner.
- 02
Velvety soft-touch film is fused on
Heated rollers bond the tactile, low-glare film edge to edge across the printed exterior.
- 03
Finished with foil, spot UV or embossing
Optional shiny foil, raised spot UV or embossing is applied over the plush matte base before cutting and folding.
Is it for you?
When to choose it, and when to skip it
Choose it when
- Cosmetics, skincare, perfume, candle, jewelry, watch and supplement packaging where hand-feel signals quality
- Rigid magnetic closure, drawer and two-piece gift boxes starting from 50 units
- Pairing with metallic gold or silver foil stamping or glossy spot UV for strong visual and tactile contrast
- Premium e-commerce and PR mailer boxes designed for unboxing videos
Skip it when
- Rough unbleached brown kraft designs where you want customers to feel raw paper fibers
- Tight-budget everyday cartons that only need basic scuff protection: standard matte lamination gives a similar low-glare look at a lower cost
How it works
Request a quote with soft-touch lamination
Tell us what you’re packing and how many. The form opens with soft-touch lamination ticked. Your dedicated account manager prepares pricing for each quantity.
- 01
Tell us what you’re packing
Pick your box, bag or label, enter a rough size and up to 3 quantities — or drop in an AI design.
- 02
Compare custom pricing
Your dedicated account manager prepares tailored pricing for each quantity tier you picked.
- 03
Dieline & 3D mockup, free
Our studio prepares print-ready artwork on your exact dieline and sends a 3D mockup. Nothing prints until you approve.
- 04
Printed & shipped free
Produced in 10–14 business days (4–5 day rush available) and delivered free to all 50 US states.
Prefer to talk? or see how ordering works.
Compare
Soft-touch lamination vs matte lamination vs gloss lamination
| Finish | What you see | What you feel | Best on | Pairs with | On labels? | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-touch lamination | Deep color with a low sheen | Soft and velvety | Gift, beauty and candle boxes | Foil or spot UV | No | Get a quote |
| Matte lamination | Flat, calm color with low glare | Smooth and dry | Modern designs, store shelves | Spot UV or foil | Yes | Get a quote |
| Gloss lamination | Bright, deep, shiny color | Slick and smooth | Photos and bold color | Full-color artwork | Yes | Get a quote |
Where it works
Which packaging can have soft-touch lamination?
Pick any of these in the quote form. Each button switches the form to that packaging, with the option ticked where the form has it.
- Card / product boxesGet a quote
- Mailer boxesGet a quote
- Rigid boxesGet a quote
- Paper bagsGet a quote
- Thank you & insert cardsGet a quote
Ready to order? See custom rigid boxes, custom magnetic closure boxes and custom product boxes.
Ready to add soft-touch lamination?
Send a rough idea: a product, a size and a quantity, and we’ll tailor your quote across up to 3 volume tiers.
Artwork
How to set up your artwork for soft-touch lamination
Not sure? Our free artwork check sets it up for you.
- No separate mask layer is required: soft-touch film covers the entire exterior surface automatically
- Keep in mind that soft-touch film slightly mutes colors and softens jet-black ink into a deep charcoal-velvet tone
- If you are adding foil stamping or spot UV on top, supply those elements on separate labeled vector layers (or let our designers set them up free)
- On solid dark backgrounds that travel rough parcel routes, pair with an outer shipping carton or ask us to compare scuff behavior against standard matte
Popular on
Packaging often ordered with soft-touch lamination
Get a quote for any of these right here.
Products 8
Custom Cosmetic Boxes
Custom printed cosmetic boxes for makeup tubes, compacts, palettes and jars.
From 1,000Custom Skincare Boxes
Custom printed skincare boxes for serums, jars and cleansers from 1,000 units.
From 1,000Custom Perfume Boxes
Custom printed perfume boxes from 50 rigid cases or 1,000 folding cartons.
From 50Custom Apparel Boxes
Custom printed apparel boxes from 250 mailers, 1,000 cartons or 50 rigid boxes.
From 250Custom PR Boxes
Custom printed PR boxes and media kits with fitted foam or card inserts from 250 mailers.
From 250Custom Gift Bags
Custom printed gift bags with ribbon, rope or twisted handles, foil stamping and soft-touch finish.
Custom Thank You Cards
Custom printed thank you cards in flat or folded styles.
Cost
Does soft-touch lamination cost more?
Soft-touch lamination costs more than standard matte or gloss lamination because of the specialty tactile film. Your quote breaks down the exact price for your run size. Common searches we quote include soft touch custom boxes, velvet lamination packaging, soft touch vs matte lamination, soft touch rigid boxes, tactile matte finish boxes, velvety peach skin box coating, suede feel lamination for luxury boxes, soft touch film with gold foil and spot uv, ultra matte velvet touch cartons, soft touch cosmetic and jewelry boxes, scuff resistant soft touch film, soft touch finish on pouches and labels, sensory unboxing velvet lamination and when to choose soft touch lamination.
Every quote is free, with tailored pricing for each quantity tier you compare.
Get a quote with soft-touch laminationWays to pay less
- 10% off your first order
- We beat a written US competitor quote for the same specs
- A lower unit price at bigger quantities
Why CubitPack
One account manager, from first question to delivery.
- 1-on-1
Dedicated account manager
Work with one packaging specialist from sizing and dielines through proof approval and delivery.
- Free
AI & custom design studio
Bring print-ready files, a rough logo, or an AI-generated box idea — we rebuild every element onto your exact dieline for free.
- 3D
Approve before you pay
Review a high-detail 3D mockup and flat digital proof of every panel, flap and finish before paying a cent.
- 10–14
Business days to deliver
Counted from proof approval and payment, with free shipping across all 50 states. Rush orders ship in 4–5 days.
Our promises, in writing
- Reprint or refund. If we get it wrong, tell us within 14 days with photos and you choose.
- Pantone guaranteed. If a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint it.
- Damaged in transit. We reprint the damaged units free and handle the carrier claim.
- Cancel free. Any time before you approve your proof, with a full refund.
At a glance
Soft-touch lamination at a glance
- Works on
- Card / product boxes, rigid boxes, mailer boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.
- Best for
- Luxury hand-feel, zero glare, and maximum contrast underneath foil stamping or spot UV.
- Cost
- Soft-touch lamination costs more than standard matte or gloss lamination because of the specialty tactile film.
- Pairs with
- Foil stamping, Spot UV, Embossing, Debossing
- Before you pay
- A digital proof and a 3D mockup
- Account support
- One dedicated account manager from quote to delivery
FAQ
Soft-touch lamination: questions
How is soft-touch lamination different from standard matte lamination?
On screen or from across a room, both look matte and low-glare. Once someone picks the box up, standard matte feels smooth like a paperback cover, while soft-touch feels warm, plush and velvety like suede or peach skin.
Does soft-touch lamination scratch or scuff?
Soft-touch film protects ink from cracking on folds and resists moisture, though very dark solid panels can show rub marks under heavy friction. For luxury rigid boxes or cartons shipped inside a mailer, it stays crisp.
Why do brands combine soft-touch lamination with spot UV or foil?
Because soft-touch absorbs light and feels velvety, adding mirror-bright foil stamping or slick, glossy spot UV on the logo creates both a visual pop and a two-texture contrast you can feel with your thumb.
What is the minimum order for soft-touch boxes?
Rigid boxes with soft-touch lamination start at 50 units, printed mailer boxes start at 250 units, and folding card / product boxes start at 1,000 units.
Do I pay extra setup or plate fees for soft-touch lamination?
No. Edge-to-edge lamination uses no printing plates, and the full finishing cost is built directly into your unit quote.
Can I request a free digital proof and 3D mockup showing soft-touch lamination on my box?
Yes. Every order with soft-touch lamination includes free design help, a custom dieline, a 2D digital proof, and a 3D mockup before you pay so you can check placement and finishes.
Are there any die or plate charges when adding soft-touch lamination to my custom packaging order?
No. CubitPack charges zero die or printing plate fees on soft-touch lamination, and standard US shipping to all 50 states is included in your written quote.
How fast can I get a custom quote comparing unit prices with and without soft-touch lamination?
Send your product dimensions and up to three quantity tiers in the quote form, and your dedicated account manager replies in 5–7 minutes, 24/7, with side-by-side pricing.
Can I see soft-touch lamination in person inside the CubitPack sample kit or on a physical prototype?
Yes. You can order our physical sample kit (credited to your first order) to feel board and finish swatches, or request a custom pre-production prototype before a full run.
Sources
Sources for this page
- Wikipedia: Lamination: thermal polymer film lamination over printed paperboard and rigid box wraps
- Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) — Tactile Specialty Finishes: velvet/soft-touch tactile lamination film application on folding cartons and wrapped rigid boxes
Finishes
More finishes
Foil stamping
A heated die presses thin foil onto your logo or text.
Card / product boxes (folding cartons), mailer boxes, rigid boxes, paper bags, thank-you and insert cards, and labels and stickers.Get a quoteDetails about foil stampingEmbossing
Matched dies push your logo up from the board so you can feel it.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about embossingDebossing
A die presses your logo into the board for a quiet, pressed look.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about debossingSpot UV
A clear, glossy coating on chosen areas, hardened with UV light.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, labels and stickers, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about spot UVMatte lamination
A thin film with a flat, low-glare look that guards against scuffs.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, labels and stickers, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about matte laminationGloss lamination
A thin, shiny film that makes colors pop and protects the print.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, labels and stickers, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about gloss lamination
Get started
Get a price with soft-touch lamination.
Bring a rough size, a logo, or an AI concept. One dedicated account manager guides your custom packaging from dieline and 3D proof to delivery.