But the finish — the final coating applied to your printed piece — is what really shapes how it’s seen, felt, and remembered.
Whether you're producing flyers, brochures, menus, or business cards, the right finish can:
Before you send artwork to print, take a moment to understand how each finish behaves — and why it could make or break the impression your material leaves behind.
Want to explore your options with real samples? Request a finishing consultation or upload your artwork for tailored advice.
A print finish is a protective or decorative coating applied after printing to change how your piece looks and feels. It can add shine, softness, scratch resistance, or subtlety — depending on the effect you’re after.
Beyond looks, finish plays a functional role:
From a marketing perspective, your finish says as much as your logo does.
| Need | Best Finish |
| Vibrant colours and glossiness | Gloss |
| Easy-to-read, text-heavy documents | Matte |
| Luxurious, tactile feel | Velvet / Soft Touch |
| Fingerprint resistance | Matte or Velvet |
| Long outdoor exposure | UV Coating (full or spot) |
| Premium menus or invitations | Velvet + Heavy GSM stock |
Best for: Flyers, posters, promotional brochures
Gloss finishes add shine and intensity to printed colours. They're reflective, attention-grabbing, and ideal for visual impact — especially when colour vibrancy is the goal.
If you’re printing colourful promo flyers for a high-traffic event, gloss is a strong choice — see options on our flyers page.
Best for: Business documents, brochures, minimalist cards
Matte finishes give a subtle, non-reflective surface that feels smooth and looks clean. It suits professional documents where clarity and elegance matter more than shine.
Choose matte when readability, subtlety, or writing space (e.g. for appointment cards) is a priority.
Best for: Business cards, luxury menus, invitations
Velvet (also called soft-touch) finishes offer a suede-like texture that feels upscale and memorable. It’s an excellent choice when tactile impression is just as important as visual.
This finish works beautifully on premium business cards, restaurant menus, and event invitations — where the feel of the card reinforces your brand’s quality.
Best for: Long-term signage, direct mailers, branded covers
UV coating is a high-gloss, durable finish cured under ultraviolet light. It’s available as a full cover or selectively applied (spot UV) to highlight specific elements like logos or text.
Pairing matte with spot UV is a popular combo for presentation folders or corporate brochures, where you want texture and detail to work together.
Here’s why the same design can feel cheap or premium depending on the finish:
Upload your artwork and we’ll confirm what finishes suit your design
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Request a sample pack to feel the difference for yourself
At Elgin Printing, we’re experts in precision finishing and we’ll make sure your print job looks and feels exactly right.