Matte aqueous coating
Matte aqueous coating is a water-based coating applied over the print that seals the ink without adding gloss. It resists scuffs, keeps the board recyclable as paper, and costs less than a laminated film. It is the sensible default for mailers and cartons that ship on their own; it does not give the velvet feel of soft-touch.
Matte aqueous coating at a glance
| What it is | A water-based coating applied over the print |
|---|---|
| Used on | Mailers, folding cartons, food boxes, inserts |
| Look | Flat, low sheen |
| Protection | Resists scuffs and rub in transit |
| Recycling | Board stays recyclable as paper |
| Gloss version | Gloss aqueous is available on cartons |
| Not included | A tactile velvet feel; that needs soft-touch film |
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose matte aqueous for anything that ships on its own or gets handled hard: printed mailers, subscription boxes, supplement and tea cartons, bakery boxes. It protects the print from the abrasion of a parcel network and lets you keep a plain-paper recycling story.
Skip it when the box should feel premium in the hand; that is what soft-touch lamination is for. If the artwork is photography that should look glossy and saturated, use gloss lamination.
Read nextProducts made with matte aqueous coating
These are the products whose pages list matte aqueous coating as a material that suits them. Across these products, minimums run from 200 to 1,000 units, with lead times of 8 to 14 business days after proof approval. Each product page states its own.
Also offered in matte aqueous coating: window carton, hanging tab carton, lip balm carton, soap box, supplement carton, coffee carton, pharmacy style carton, die cut paperboard insert, bakery box with window, cake box, cupcake box with insert, cookie box, wine and spirits carrier, incense packaging, flip top boxes, lotion boxes.
Questions about matte aqueous coating
Is aqueous coating the same as lamination?
No. Aqueous is a water-based liquid coating; lamination is a thin plastic film bonded over the print. Aqueous keeps the board recyclable as paper and costs less; film gives more protection and more feel.
Does matte aqueous protect a mailer in transit?
Yes. It resists the scuffing a printed mailer picks up in a parcel network, which is why it is the default finish on printed mailers.
Can I add foil or spot UV over matte aqueous?
Foil works over it. For spot UV, a matte lamination or soft-touch gives a stronger gloss contrast; ask on the quote and we will say which suits your artwork.
Will matte aqueous change my colors?
Very little. It flattens the sheen and can soften very saturated colors slightly, which the digital proof will show before anything prints.
Hold it before you choose
The Swatch Book is a free set of board, wrap and finish samples, so you can feel matte aqueous coating next to the alternatives before you decide. Name the materials you are weighing in the request. When you are ready, send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day, with a complimentary digital proof on every order.