What are print finishes and decorative technologies for packaging?

Decorative technologies are an exclusive suite of print embellishments that can be applied to folding cartons and labels to add shine, texture, movement, scent or other visual and tactile effects to packaging. They help products stand out, communicate quality and create a more memorable brand experience.

How do decorative packaging effects help a brand?

Effects such as metallic shine, high gloss, soft touch, and raised texture can attract attention, reinforce brand cues and encourage shoppers to interact with a package. The right finish can also help communicate a premium position or highlight important graphics.

What types of decorative effects can be added to packaging?

Options include metallic and holographic finishes, glitter and pearlescent coatings, matte and gloss contrast, soft-touch and raised textures, scented coatings, and inks that react to light, temperature or moisture.

How do I choose the right decorative technology and print finish for my packaging?

Start with the experience you want to create and the design element you want to emphasize. Material, artwork, coverage, production method, durability needs and desired visual or tactile effect will help determine the best option.

Are decorative packaging technologies recyclable?

Recyclability depends on the substrate, finish, amount of coverage and local collection and processing capabilities. Some options have specific testing or certifications; for example, FoilKote® has received a certificate of recyclability from Western Michigan University at 70% coverage or less. Confirm requirements for the intended package and market when selecting a technology, supporting progress toward a circular economy.

Print Finishes & Decorative Technologies

Transform packaging into a standout brand experience with print finishes and decorative technologies that engage shoppers and drive purchases.

Print finishes and decorative technologies use metallic substrates, laminates, inks, and coatings to create distinctive visual and tactile packaging effects that elevate brand presence, differentiate products on shelf and engage shoppers. We offer a broad range of industry leading options and are excited to announce the launch of our newest innovation in water-based decorative technologies, ClariKote™.

ClariKote™

ClariKote™ is a premium aqueous coating engineered to deliver exceptional brilliance, sleek surface aesthetics, and a radiant high-gloss finish that brings colors and graphics to life. Designed to maximize the gloss level available with traditional aqueous coatings, it combines strong visual performance with production-ready versatility.

High-gloss impact: Instantly elevates package appearance with brilliant shine.
Sharper brand expression: Enhances color and graphic clarity for a stronger shelf presence.
Easy application: Drops into production without requiring artwork adjustments.
Broad versatility: Brings premium appeal to folding cartons across food, beverage, health, beauty, household, and other categories.

While ClariKote™ is the newest way we help brands stand out—we offer many other technologies that help create packaging with impact.

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Explore Our Decorative Technology Options

FoilKote®

FoilKote® is an in-line alternative to offline hot foil stamping that applies spot foil to paper and paperboard. It supports intricate details, multiple foil colors, and on-press shade matching while combining premium visual impact with manufacturing efficiency.

Creative flexibility: Produce small type, fine lines, detailed graphics, and simulated metallic colors.
Precise application: Achieve tight registration and targeted spot effects.
Production versatility: Apply to paper or paperboard and combine with embossing.
Recyclability: Certified recyclable by Western Michigan University at 70% coverage or less.

GlisterKote™

GlisterKote™ is a flexo-applied silver coating that creates metallic effects inline without limiting standard press speeds. It can be applied to a wide range of substrates and overprinted with transparent inks for customized metallic color variations.

Inline efficiency: Supports one-pass manufacturing at standard press speeds.
Color versatility: Overprint the silver coating to create a range of metallic tones.
Broad compatibility: Apply to paper, paperboard and textured stocks.
Cost-conscious impact: Works especially well for designs using less than 50% silver metallic coverage.

TransMet

TransMet uses a transfer metallization process to give cartonboard a smooth, reflective metallic appearance. The foil effect is transferred to the substrate during lamination, leaving no PET layer on the finished carton.

Premium metallic appearance: Adds reflective visual interest that helps packaging command attention.
Print-ready surface: Supports bold graphics and color over a metallized base.
Supplier-supported availability: Access material through our established supplier partnerships.
Carton-focused construction: Delivers metallized impact without a PET layer on the final carton.

GlisterBrite™

GlisterBrite™ uses vacuum metallization to create a bright metallic surface on a smooth paper stock laminated to cartonboard. The result gives packaging a polished, premium look suitable for high-impact graphics.

Distinctive shine: Creates an eye-catching metallic finish.
Paper-based construction: Uses a thin, smooth paper stock as the metallized surface.
Design impact: Provides an elevated backdrop for bold graphics and brand elements.
Cartonboard application: Laminates the metallized substrate to cartonboard for packaging production.

Holographic Effects

Holographic effects add metallic flash and shifting iridescent color that changes with light and viewing angle. They can be applied as a spot hot-stamp foil or laminated to stock before printing.

Attention-grabbing movement: Creates dynamic color and light effects as the package moves.
Application choice: Use spot foil for targeted accents or holographic stock for broader coverage.
Graphic control: Incorporate white ink to mask areas not intended to show the holographic effect.
Material versatility: Works with paper, paperboard and plastic.

Matte and Gloss

Matte and gloss coatings create contrast between surfaces to highlight products, graphics or other design elements. Used alone or together, they guide the eye and add visual dimension without changing the underlying artwork.

Targeted emphasis: Use spot application to draw attention to key graphics and messages.
Flexible coverage: Adjust the amount of coating to achieve subtle or bold contrast.
Inline capability: Apply in-line using aqueous or UV options.
Substrate range: Works with paper, paperboard, and plastic.

Frequently asked questions about print finishes

Recyclability depends on the substrate, finish, amount of coverage and local collection and processing capabilities. Some options have specific testing or certifications; for example, FoilKote® has received a certificate of recyclability from Western Michigan University at 70% coverage or less. Confirm requirements for the intended package and market when selecting a technology, supporting progress toward a circular economy.

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