Gloss vs Matte: Choosing the Right Clear Label

At OnlineLabels.com, we offer two types of clear labels: glossy and matte. While both materials are clear, it is only the topcoat that varies, resulting in distinctly different labels.

The company is the world’s best clear digital printed glass supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Below, we break down the differences between clear gloss and clear matte labels so you can find the right option for your project.

Clear Label Top Coat Options

Gloss and matte are popular finishes across many industries and products, including paint, photos, screen protectors, and more.

A glossy top coat adds shine or luster to a smooth surface, whereas a matte top coat is a flat overlay that mutes shine and appears frosted. The two are virtual opposites.

When applied to clear labels, the differences become even more pronounced. Read on to see how clarity, color depth, and application vary between clear gloss and clear matte labels.

Clear Gloss Labels

Tip: Click on the image below to view examples.

Clarity

Clear gloss labels are completely transparent. The glossy top coat enhances the see-through material so it looks crystal clear.

Visual Effects

The facesheet of clear gloss labels is shiny. It reflects light and colors.

Color Depth

Colors and designs pop on clear gloss labels. They appear incredibly vibrant, vivid, and sharp.

Application

Clear gloss labels are popular for their "no label look." When applied to clear glass or plastic containers, the label virtually disappears, making it look as if the design was printed directly onto the packaging. This method is cost-effective compared to customized printed packaging.

Texture/Feel

Clear gloss labels have a waxy, slick texture reminiscent of photo paper, which helps create their shine.

Clear Matte Labels

Tip: Click on the image below to view examples.

Clarity

Clear matte labels appear more translucent than transparent. The matte top coat adds a frosted finish that masks the sheerness of the original material, similar to parchment paper used in baking.

Visual Effects

The facesheet of clear matte labels is flat and non-reflective, featuring a muted overlay that looks more natural than artificial.

Color Depth

On clear matte labels, printed colors come out soft and luxurious, less bright and more velvety.

Application

Clear matte labels are often used with containers that already have a matte finish. They complement each other and provide a similar "barely there look" that clear gloss labels offer glossy containers. The matte texture can also help hide bubbles that clear gloss accents.

Texture/Feel

Clear matte labels feel soft and smooth, reminiscent of luxurious satin clothing, though not made of fabric.

Designing For Clear Labels

Clear labels typically have a layer of white ink printed underneath each color in retail settings, making the colors opaque instead of transparent. Home and office printers usually lack this functionality, meaning colors will appear transparent without a white underlay, and any white in your design won’t print.

To check if your printer can print white, open the ink/toner cartridge compartment. If your printer can print white, there will be an extra cartridge slot besides the usual cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ones. You can also check your printer’s instruction manual.

If you can't print white, consider the following when designing your labels:

• Use high-contrast colors and images
• Darken colors for additional opacity
• Be mindful of your application surface (see examples below)

Printing On Clear Labels

Computer screens are backlit, and Maestro Label Designer doesn’t add a transparent effect to your designs. Therefore, don’t expect an exact match between on-screen and printed output.

Follow these steps for better results:

• Change your print settings to "Labels" or "Transparency"
• Print a test sheet before producing your entire run
• For better results, try printing at 300 dpi for inkjet printers or 93 gsm for laser printers

See how label designs look without white ink on clear labels, colors, and metallics.

Applying Clear Labels

Clear labels are less forgiving during application than white or colored label materials. For best results, keep these tips in mind:

• Clean the surface thoroughly. Any dust or dirt can show through the label and reduce its professional appearance, much like applying a phone screen protector.

• Wash your hands. Natural oils can leave fingerprint marks in the adhesive. Hold the label by the edges to avoid noticeable traces.

• Start in the middle. Align the middle of your label with the middle of your surface and work outwards to prevent bubbles and creases.

• Pull your label taut while applying. Bubbles are more likely to form if applied loosely.

• Resist the urge to smooth it out immediately. Our labels bond to the surface over 24-48 hours and work out minor bubbles themselves. Excessive smoothing may smear or chip your label design.

Check out more label application tips for your projects.

Side-By-Side Comparisons

Your application surface and the substance inside it play a significant role in the final look of your label.

Clear Label Examples: Color Scale

On Glass With White Filling

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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On Glass With Medium Filling

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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On Glass With Dark Filling

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Clear Label Examples: In-Use

On A Tin Container

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Template Used: Lemon Loose Leaf Tea

On A Honey Jar

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Template Used: Honeycomb Honey Bottle

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On A Colored Envelope

On A Brown Kraft Bag

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Template Used: Square Geometric Price Tag

On A Candle Jar

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Template Used: Fall Leaves Candle Jar

On An Amber Beer Bottle

Not a recommended surface.

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Template Used: Tropical Summer Beer

On Colored Plastic

Not a recommended surface.

Clear Gloss

Clear Matte

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Template Used: Floral Shampoo Bottle

Clear labels can do wonders for your branding and packaging, but it helps to know what you're ordering! We hope this article gave you insight into our product line.

Shop Clear Labels

Or, shop premium custom clear labels for large quantity orders for your business.

If you still need help deciding on a clear label material, call our customer service team at 1-888-575-2235 or request label samples to compare firsthand.

In a world where information, entertainment, and technology are always at your fingertips, many businesses use print to complement our screen-dominated world.

Historically, print media has been our primary source of information. Libraries are stacked with pages of the world’s shared knowledge. Newspapers have been distributing stories since "The Relation" was first published in Germany in 1604.

From wood or ceramic in its early days to today's incredibly diverse substrates, print media offers a tangible connection with the customer that screens can't replicate.

What Do We Mean by Print Media?

Broadly, print media is the base material you print on for communication purposes, such as plastic film, glass, paper, or textile.

This article will discuss different types of media and their features and benefits. Due to the number of substrates compatible with Roland printers, the list won’t be exhaustive. The focus will be on media that can be fed through a print-and-cut machine.

Types of Print Media

Your print media, or substrate, is your canvas for showcasing your offerings. However creative you can be, there’s media to showcase it.

You've started a printing business and are ready to share your products with customers. Your designs are quirky, fun, and full of personality. What is the best way to finish them for display and sale?

Vinyl and Film

Printed vinyl and film offer massive potential with myriad options for different needs. With varying levels of opacity, color, backing, adhesiveness, strength, and durability, choosing the correct media for your vinyl printer can be daunting. Read on to help you decide.

Calendered Vinyl

• Monomeric Vinyl
  An economic, ink-receptive PVC for flat surfaces like window graphics, sticker printing, or sign printing. Available with adhesive backing in white or clear matte or gloss, they are compatible with eco-solvent or UV printers.
• Polymeric Vinyl
  Moderately priced vinyl for internal and external uses, including slightly curved surfaces. It provides stability and is less prone to shrinkage, ideal for partial vehicle wraps.

Typically, calendered vinyl lasts between 2 and 6 years, depending on the plasticiser quality used during manufacture.

Cast Vinyl

Cast vinyl is a premium product that is soft and incredibly flexible. With a lifespan between 8 and 10 years, it's suitable for complex applications like car vinyl wrap printing. Cast vinyl better retains its structure when exposed to heat compared to calendered vinyl.

Backlit Film

Backlit film diffuses light and produces vivid images. UV or eco-solvent ink is printed onto translucent film, then mounted in a lightbox. It's perfect for signage printing or menu displays.

Heat Transfer

Heat-transfer vinyl can be printed using eco-solvent inks and transferred onto fabrics to create custom t-shirts and garments. Available with finishes like flocked, glitter, or elastic.

Other Types of Vinyl and Film

• Banner - strong, durable, versatile, for indoor or outdoor printed banners in multiple finishes like gloss or mesh
• Reflective - fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark vinyl for safety signage
• Metallic - shiny, chrome-like appearance in various colors and finishes like brushed copper or rose gold
• Transparent - clear or optically clear vinyl useful for window graphics, often paired with white ink to improve color vibrancy
• Glitter - sparkly vinyl for stickers, labels, t-shirts, apparel, and more
• Color - cut into any shape, layered to create bold, durable, multicolored graphics for wall graphics, vehicle graphics, and custom t-shirts
• One way - for window graphics providing privacy and solar shading
• Frosted/etched - frost-effect vinyl for glass manifestation in public buildings or decorative window frosting
• Sandblast - resilient, high-pressure sandblast transfer onto stone, glass, and other media

New innovations are continually entering the print and cut vinyl market, so check with your media supplier for a more complete list.

Advantages of Vinyl Printing

Vinyl printing offers incredible flexibility in the products you can create. From branded wall graphics to vehicle wraps to t-shirt designs, possibilities are vast.

• Printed output can be laminated for weather and waterproof, scratch-resistant resilience, applicable to windows, walls, or floors.
• Vinyl is highly customizable. Print and cut solutions let you produce designs of all shapes and sizes with intricate detail.
• The variety of quality vinyl ensures a suitable option for any need, from photo-quality promotional graphics to long-lasting outdoor signage.
• It can be affordable. The range of vinyl options caters to any budget, with premium and economic products both available.
• Vinyl can be applied to various 2D and 3D substrates, from window clings to full vehicle wraps and more.

Vinyl’s flexibility allows for diverse applications, from wrapping a racing car and driver’s helmet to dressing a large exhibition display, applying anti-slip floor decals, and installing revolving bus stop banners.

Paper

Traditional and versatile, paper remains a popular choice with print professionals. Coated papers provide color and definition, while uncoated papers offer natural textures. The finish is crucial for best results.

• Coated paper
  Coated finishes make prints pop with smoothness and definition, offering sharper colors for photographs or posters.
• Uncoated paper
  Uncoated papers offer a natural look with a tactile feel, perfect for printed stationery or personalized wedding invites.

Matte Photographic Paper

Matte photo paper is premium, heavy, and versatile. The coating absorbs, refracts, and scatters light, giving high contrast, especially with darker colors and black & white images. It's non-shiny with a slightly grainy texture, making photos look artistic without glare.

Gloss Photographic Paper

Gloss photo paper has an extra layer reflecting maximum light, making images vibrant. Its eye-catching finish makes colors pop, often cheaper than matte paper. Satin or lustre finishes are semi-gloss, absorbing more light.

Fine Art Paper

Fine art paper is high-quality and designed to last, made from natural fibers like cotton. It is PH neutral and suitable for artists or photographers wanting enduring work. Fine art paper is also ideal for luxurious stationery.

Blue Back Paper

This paper has a finish for solvent inks, with 100% opacity due to its blue backing, making it scratch-resistant and weatherproof. It's excellent for billboards, posters, and banners.

Canvas

Different canvas types suit different projects.

• Matte canvas - different weights for different uses, prevents glare, suitable for artistic displays or interior decorating. Its texture is scuff-resistant and doesn't peel or flake.
• Gloss satin canvas - prevents creases with a satin finish, eliminating the need for varnish.

Canvas material suits all budgets, popular for high-end art displays and personalized photo gifts.

Textile

As a printable material, fabric shows brand association or team support and can reflect personality. Digital textile printing allows specialized inkjet technology for custom garments or fabric sheets with removable paper backing. It's more localized and customizable than dyeing.

Advantages of Digital Printing on Fabric

• Digital printing removes traditional screen printing setup costs, allowing flexibility to print once or many times with little variance in cost.
• All CMYK gamut colors are available, enabling complex design printing.
• Direct-to-garment printers apply prints directly to pre-made clothing, ideal for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags.
• Dye-sublimation printing covers entire fabric rolls,