Direct Print Mylar Bags: Finishing Options Explained
We offer a wide range of finishing options for our direct print Mylar bags to help your products stand out. Whether you’re after a sleek, subtle look or a bold, eye-catching effect, our finishes are designed to suit various branding needs. Below, we break down each option, how it works, its visual impact, and considerations to help you choose the best finish for your project.
Matte Finish
A matte finish gives your Mylar bags a smooth, non-reflective surface that does not catch the light. In packaging, matte is often chosen for its premium, understated aesthetic and its ability to make colors appear softer and more muted. This finish can highlight sophisticated designs and works well when you want a refined, elegant look.
While matte finishes are excellent for minimizing glare and enhancing readability, they can sometimes make colors appear less vibrant compared to glossy finishes. We can also produce bags with soft-touch matte but do not offer it on our website due to raw materials not as widely stocked, lead times can vary more, so for this reason we quote on inquiry. This option provides a velvety feel that adds a tactile element to the packaging. If you're interested in soft-touch matte, please contact us directly for a custom quote.
Gloss Finish
A gloss finish creates a shiny, reflective surface that catches the light and makes colors appear more vibrant and saturated. This is ideal for designs that aim to grab attention on the shelf and convey a bold, dynamic feel.
Gloss and matte finishes are the same in cost, so your choice primarily depends on your desired visual impact. Gloss finishes are particularly effective for colorful, high-contrast designs where brightness and shine can enhance the overall appeal.
Holographic Gloss
A full holographic gloss finish covers the entire bag with a rainbow-like, iridescent effect. This finish is created using a holographic film laminated to the bag material, which refracts light to produce shifting colors as the viewing angle changes. The glossy overlay further enhances this shimmering, eye-catching effect.
We also have the capability to produce matte holographic finishes; however, they are less commonly used as the matte layer reduces the intensity of the holographic effect. These options are not available directly on our website but can be quoted upon request. Due to the more specialized materials and processes involved, holographic finishes are slightly more expensive than standard gloss or matte.
UV Spot Gloss
A UV spot gloss finish combines a matte base with selective glossy elements. Specific areas of the bag are coated with a clear UV varnish, creating a striking contrast between matte and gloss surfaces. This technique adds visual interest and a premium feel, as certain elements of the design catch the light while others remain subtle.
UV spot gloss requires an additional production step, which increases both the cost and lead time. However, this investment can significantly enhance the perceived value of your packaging and help your brand stand out on the shelf. We currently offer standard UV spot gloss; for more specialized applications such as holographic UV accents, please contact us directly for a quote.
Foil Stamping
Foil stamping involves applying a metallic foil (commonly gold, silver, or other metallic colors) to specific areas of the bag using heat and pressure. This creates a reflective, metallic effect that contrasts beautifully with both matte and gloss finishes.
Foil stamping can be combined with UV spot gloss to create multi-finish designs, where some elements are glossy, some metallic, and some matte. These layered effects can create truly unique and luxurious packaging. Because this process involves specialized materials and additional production steps, it results in a higher cost and longer lead time. We do not currently offer UV + stamping on our website but are happy to provide quotes on request.
Other Options & Special Finishes
We also offer printing onto metallic Mylar (as opposed to clear or uncoated films), which gives the entire bag a metallic sheen even before printing begins. This technique enhances the vibrancy and reflective quality of the printed design. It’s often used when a fully metallic appearance is desired throughout the bag surface.
Another optional finish is soft-touch matte, which provides a luxurious, velvety feel. While it offers a premium tactile experience, it is more prone to showing fingerprints or smudges if handled with dirty or oily hands. Due to fluctuating raw material prices, we currently do
not list this finish on our website, but we can provide custom quotes upon inquiry.
Finishes for Die-Cut Bags
All of the above finishes are also available for die-cut Mylar bags. However, you may not see these options listed online, as die-cut bags are custom-shaped and involve unique ink coverage considerations. As a result, pricing for these bags is determined on a case-by-case basis.