Manufacturer · Fashion Accessories
Label lamination means covering the printed card with a thin transparent film – matte, gloss or soft touch – which protects the print from scratches, moisture and dirt and changes how the tag feels to the touch. UV varnish is a liquid coating cured with ultraviolet light that can be applied to the whole tag or only to selected elements, such as the logo. The two finishes are often combined.
Label lamination: types of laminate
Matte laminate
It gives a muted, understated look without glare. Colours become slightly softer and deeper, and text is easy to read under any lighting. Matte laminate is a universal choice for modern brands and an excellent base for spot UV varnish and foil.
Gloss laminate
It makes colours rich and shiny and suits bright designs and photographs. The drawback is that it reflects light and shows fingerprints. It is used less often in premium fashion and more often by youth and sports brands.
Soft-touch laminate
A matte laminate with a velvety, almost rubbery feel. The buyer notices it as soon as they pick up the tag. Soft touch is used in luxury collections, especially combined with foil or spot UV varnish, which create a tactile contrast.
Anti-scratch and textured laminates
There are also special laminates with increased scratch resistance, as well as ones with a fine texture (for example linen). They are used when tags travel a lot or when you want an additional effect without changing the card.
UV varnish: full and spot
Full UV varnish covers the whole tag and acts as a protective layer, similar to laminate but thinner. Spot (selective) UV varnish is applied only to certain areas and creates a contrast between matte and gloss.
- Gloss spot varnish on matte laminate – the logo shines against a matte background. The most popular combination.
- Raised (thick-layer) UV varnish – a thicker layer you can feel with your fingers. It creates an effect close to embossing without deforming the card.
- Effect varnish – with glitter, a "sand" texture or a pearl sheen.
- Matte varnish on gloss – the reverse contrast, used less often but interesting on dark backgrounds.
Comparison of coatings
| Coating | Look | Feel | Protection | Writing and stickers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated | natural | paper-like | low | yes |
| Matte laminate | soft, no glare | smooth | high | difficult |
| Gloss laminate | bright, shiny | smooth, slippery | high | difficult |
| Soft touch | matte, luxurious | velvety | high | difficult |
| Full UV varnish | gloss or matte | smooth | medium | difficult |
| Spot UV varnish | matte/gloss contrast | raised with a thick layer | only in the area | outside the varnish – yes |
When to choose a coating and when not to
A coating helps when
- the tag has a dark background or large colour areas on which scratches show;
- garments are tried on often and tags pass through many hands;
- the product is sold outdoors or in a humid environment;
- you want a premium feel (soft touch) or an accent on the logo (spot varnish).
Better without a coating when
- the price will be handwritten or applied with a sticker that must stick firmly;
- the brand communicates sustainability and wants an easily recyclable tag;
- you use textured designer or kraft card whose character a laminate would hide.
How to prepare the file for spot UV varnish
- Create a separate layer or spot colour, named for example "UV", with the vector areas for the varnish.
- Use 100% density, without gradients – the varnish is either applied or not.
- Avoid very fine lines and small dots – the varnish spreads slightly.
- Leave a small tolerance if the varnish has to register with a printed element.
- Check that the varnish does not fall on the price sticker field or on the barcode.
Laminate or varnish on kraft and coloured card
On kraft card, gloss laminate usually looks out of place because it hides the natural fibre structure. If you need to protect a kraft tag, choose a matte coating or spot varnish only on the printed areas. On through-dyed card (black, navy), laminate emphasises the depth of the colour, but the edge of the tag stays uncoated and shows the real material – often a desired effect. With soft touch on a dark background, bear in mind that the velvety surface can retain fingerprints that are visible at an angle.
Combinations that work
- Soft touch + gold foil on the logo – a classic luxury tag.
- Matte laminate + gloss spot UV varnish – a modern, affordable effect.
- Black card + raised UV varnish without ink – a discreet logo visible at an angle.
- Matte laminate on the front + uncoated back – a protected look at the front and space for writing at the back.
- Gloss laminate + holographic foil – a bold effect for youth collections and limited runs.
- Uncoated designer card + matte spot varnish on the dark areas – protection without losing the texture.
The hang tag coating should be in harmony with the sewn-in label. If the hang tag is matte and understated, also choose a woven label with a soft matte structure. You will see all finishing options under hang tags.
Laminated and varnished tags from Polkom
Polkom makes custom cardboard hang tags with matte, gloss or soft-touch laminate, full and spot UV varnish and combinations with foil and embossing. If you are not sure which finish suits your brand, we will send samples for comparison. Minimum quantities depend on the article. Send an inquiry with the design and a description of the collection.
