Soft Touch Labels – Trend, Technology or Genuine Upgrade?

What exactly is Soft Touch?

Soft Touch is neither a colour nor a varnish. The effect is created by a special coating on a transparent laminating film, which is laminated onto the label after printing. The result not only looks high-quality, but also impresses with its surface: it feels velvety and warm, almost like fine paper – but remains as durable as a film.

Unlike glossy or matt laminate, Soft Touch hardly reflects any light and takes away some of the "digital look" of colours. Tones appear calmer, gradients softer, blacks deeper and metallic effects take on a slightly muted, elegant look instead of being highly reflective.

What makes it special is that the effect is created by the special surface structure of the lamination. The result is a visibly elegant impression that is immediately confirmed when you touch it.

Soft Touch: More than just appearance

It is not just the design that determines whether a label sticks in the mind – often it is how it feels in the hand. People unconsciously reach for things that feel special. This is exactly where soft-touch laminate comes into its own.

What makes the difference:

• Feel: Velvety, warm, non-slip – you automatically want to touch it.
• Appearance: Low reflection, matt and calm – without looking dull.
• Brand impact: High-quality look without having to change the design.

Many people associate foil labels with "smooth", "cool" or "standard". Soft touch completely reverses this image: the surface is reminiscent of a natural paper texture, but feels more durable, is scratch-resistant and insensitive to fingerprints – light marks can be easily wiped away.

And because that wasn't enough for us, we wanted to know exactly how it works. So we spoke directly to our partner Nobelus – about production, effect and where soft touch really shines:

Effect in practice

Matt, rich and without reflection

It is not the design that changes, but its effect. Colours appear warmer and richer, without the typical digital print gloss. Matt surfaces gain more depth, gradients appear softer and black is significantly more intense. Metallic effects are particularly exciting: instead of a glaring mirror shine, there is a sophisticated, slightly muted reflection – visible without being obtrusive.

When you don't want to let go of a label

The difference is not apparent at first glance: it becomes apparent as soon as you touch the label. The surface feels warm and soft, more reminiscent of natural material than a classic film coating. At the same time, it remains robust, abrasion-resistant and marks can be removed effortlessly. It is precisely this combination of natural appearance and durability that ensures that packaging with a soft touch is perceived longer and rated more positively.

Our soft-touch labels on tins.

Matte surface, velvety finish.

Industries where Soft Touch really works

Soft touch is not just a nice-to-have effect, but a statement. This is especially true in markets where emotional appeal, quality and branding play a role. In the cosmetics industry, the velvety surface immediately conveys a high-quality, nourishing impression. In the case of dietary supplements, soft touch reinforces confidence in quality, purity and value. Coffee, delicatessen and speciality products benefit from the luxurious look without losing their natural character. And for premium and luxury products, soft touch is often the detail that makes the decisive difference on the shelf.

Technical advantages explained simply

Even though Soft Touch feels soft and paper-like, it is backed by a film lamination that can be processed just as reliably as other laminations. The material is scratch-resistant and remains visually clean even with frequent contact. Fingerprints do not stick to it, and the surface looks neat even after many touches.

Another advantage is that Soft Touch can be used on all standard PP films – whether white, transparent or metallic – and is suitable for any shape and size. Round labels, special shapes or small-format labels can be laminated just as cleanly as large-area designs. Subsequent printing, for example by thermal transfer, also works without restriction.

Despite its special surface, the label remains recyclable because only monomaterial is used. Soft Touch therefore scores not only in terms of appearance and feel, but also in terms of sustainability – without complicating design, processing or disposal.

Technical facts at a glance

Material basis:

✔ Transparent laminating film with soft-touch coating
✔ Processed on PP films (white, metallic, transparent)

Thickness/structure:

✔ Approx. 25–30 µm laminate thickness
✔ Monomaterial – recyclable

Resistance:

✔ Scratch-resistant
✔ Resistant to fingerprints
✔ Durable surface

Further processing:

✔ Suitable for all label shapes
✔ Punching, laser cutting and cutting without restrictions
✔ Thermal transfer printing possible (e.g. for variable data)

Visual effect:

✔ Matt finish without reflections
✔ Enhanced colour depth and smooth surfaces
✔ Elegant effect with metallic designs

Soft Touch compared to other laminations

Matt, glossy or soft touch – all three protect the label, but the effect is completely different. Especially when design, brand perception or the effect when touched play a role, it quickly becomes clear why soft touch is in a league of its own:

Conclusion

Soft Touch is much more than just a visual effect: the coating noticeably enhances products without the need to adjust the design or production process. Brands that focus on visual presence and a pleasant feel achieve an upgrade that cannot be overlooked or overestimated.

At Labelisten, you can easily select Soft Touch directly in the calculator – with no minimum quantity, for individual samples, series production or even stickers. And if you want to feel it before you decide, simply order our free sample pack.