Who this guide is for

UK makers and independent retailers who want premium gift bag finishes without the guesswork, faff or waste. Inside, you’ll find plain English comparisons, durability notes, eco guidance and budget friendly recommendations for small runs.

Browse branded gift bags

How colour works with finishes

Finishes change how light hits the surface, and can therefore change how your colour appears:

  • Matt/soft‑touch: Lower contrast, meaning colours read slightly darker and flatter.
  • Gloss: Boosts saturation, so reds and blues can look more intense.
  • Foil: Next to a flat colour foil increases contrast, meaning adjacent areas may appear darker.

Finishes explained

A quick, simple guide to the finishes that instantly lift premium gift bags.

  • Matt laminated gift bags: Look and feel: Soft, modern, low sheen.
  • Colour effect: Gently deepens colour and reduces glare.
  • Durability: Hides fingerprints but can scuff at the corners.
  • Recyclability: Contains a plastic laminate. Choose aqueous coating if you prefer a more eco-focused route.
  • Best for: Corporate gifting, muted tones, photography-friendly packaging.
  • Why choose it: Understated and premium; great in photos.
  • Watch-outs: Slightly mutes colour. Dark areas can crack at corners. Reinforce bases for sharp folds.
  • Pairs well with: Spot UV logos, grosgrain handles, tonal tissue.

Gloss laminated gift bags

  • Look and feel: High shine and reflective.
  • Colour effect: Boosts saturation for the richest colour payoff.
  • Durability: Wipe clean, but shows fingerprints and glare.
  • Recyclability: Plastic laminate. Check local rules.
    • Best for: Bold colour palettes, retail displays, and photo-heavy prints.
  • Why choose it: Big colour impact and wipe-clean practicality.
  • Watch-outs: Fingerprints and reflections. Consider lighting for photography.
  • Pairs well with: Metallic foil, rope handles, bold palettes.

Soft touch laminated gift bags

  • Look and feel: Velvety, luxe, very touchable.
  • Colour effect: Slightly lower contrast and a deeper tone.
  • Durability: Premium feel but can show rub marks.
  • Recyclability: Contains plastic laminate, so use more selectively if eco is your priority.
  • Best for: VIP gifting, flagship lines, premium seasonal packaging.
  • Why choose it: Creates a strong "wow" moment.
  • Watch-outs: Can burnish if rubbed. Allow gentle handling.
  • Pairs well with: Foil and emboss combinations, deep colours, satin handles.

Spot UV gift bags

(Applied over a matt base)

  • Look and feel: Glossy highlights on logos or patterns.
  • Colour effect: Pops beautifully against a matt surface.
  • Durability: Good rub resistance. Works best with solid artwork.
  • Recyclability: Minimal extra material.
  • Best for: Tone on tone branding, subtle shine, logo details.
  • Why choose it: Targeted shine only where you want it.
  • Artwork tips: Keep lines 2 mm or wider. Avoid large flood areas.
  • Pairs well with: Matt laminates and simple, tonal designs.

Foil printed gift bags (hot or cold foil)

  • Look and feel: Metallic or pigment shine for instant impact.
  • Colour effect: Strong contrast. Surrounding colours can appear slightly darker.
  • Durability: Very durable if the artwork is sized correctly.
  • Recyclability: Small foil areas are usually accepted in UK recycling.
  • Best for: Premium logos, gifting seasons, packaging that needs some sparkle.
  • Why choose it: Crisp, light-catching details.
  • Artwork tips: Keep fonts above 6–8 pt. Give fine details breathing room.
  • Pairs well with: Embossing, soft touch or matt backgrounds.

Embossed or debossed gift bags

  • Look and feel: Raised or indented texture for tactile luxury.
  • Colour effect: No colour change unless paired with foil or ink.
  • Durability: Excellent on thicker stocks.
  • Recyclability: No added plastic.
  • Best for: Minimalist designs and subtle branding.
  • Why choose it: Depth and luxury without extra colour.
  • Best on: Unlaminated or matt-laminated stocks.
  • Pairs well with: Foil, textured paper, tonal artwork.

Aqueous coated or varnished bags

  • Look and feel: Light protective coat with a natural paper finish.
  • Colour effect: Almost no colour change.
  • Durability: Adds scuff resistance without looking laminated.
  • Recyclability: One of the most recyclable options.
  • Best for: Eco-conscious brands and everyday luxury.
  • Why choose it: Everyday protection with minimal impact on sustainability.
  • Use when: You want scuff resistance but not the laminated feel.
  • Pairs well with: Natural papers and simple designs.

Textured or uncoated papers

  • Look and feel: Natural and tactile; linen, ribbed or kraft.
  • Colour effect: Softer, lighter and warmer tones.
  • Durability: Marks more easily.
  • Recyclability: Fully paper based and widely recyclable.
  • Best for: Craft-led brands, minimal print, eco-first packaging.
  • Why choose it: Beautifully tactile, eco-friendly look.
  • Colour note: Prints warmer and lighter.
  • Pairs well with: White pigment foil, debossing, paper-twist handles.

If you need your brand colours to be an exact match every time, be sure to approve your colours on the finished surface. For more information, see our article on Pantone vs CMYK.


Sustainability & disposal (recyclable gift bag finishes)

  • Best eco picks: Unlaminated and aqueous coat, paper‑only handles, minimal foil.
  • Foil & recycling: Small foil areas are typically accepted in UK paper and card recycling, but we’d encourage you to reuse it where possible first, and to check your local guidance.
  • Soft‑touch/matt/gloss laminates: Laminates add a plastic film, so opt for them strategically (potentially just in flagship lines, for example), rather than every run.
  • Clear messaging: Add a discreet “Reuse or Recycle” note on swing tags to show your customers what to do with the item once they’ve finished with it.

Budget tiers (good/better/best)

Good (budget‑friendly, fast)

  • Uncoated kraft + white pigment foil logo; paper‑twist handles.
  • Add a branded tag; tonal tissue inside.

Better (most popular)

  • Matt‑laminated colour bag + spot UV logo; grosgrain ribbon handles.
  • Balanced premium without high Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs).

Best (flagship/premium)

  • Soft‑touch deep‑tone bag + emboss + metallic foil logo; printed ribbon.
  • Ideal for VIP gifting or press packs.

MOQs & lead times (what changes when you add finishes)

  • Laminates (matt/gloss/soft‑touch): Standard MOQs; add +2-5 working days to production vs unlaminated.
  • Foil & emboss/deboss: Tooling required. MOQs may be higher for small formats. Allow extra tooling time.
  • Spot UV: Requires a matt base, and can result in a moderate lead‑time increase.
  • Aqueous: Minimal impact on schedule; eco‑friendly everyday option.

Small digital runs of custom printed gift bags may bypass some MOQs, so it’s worth talking to your supplier for the best route.

Tactile branding combos (handles, tags, ribbon)

  • Ribbon handles: Double‑satin = shine, Grosgrain = grip and structure.
  • Rope + eyelets: Robust for larger sizes. A smart look with gloss laminate.
  • Tags & closures: Foiled swing tags, ribbon‑tie closures. Try to keep metals minimal for easier recycling.

Need help pairing finishes with handles and tissue? Speak to our of our team

Photography pointers (so finishes shine online)

  • Glare control: Shoot matt and soft‑touch gift bags straight on; angle gloss bags 10-20° to avoid reflections and highlights.
  • Texture reveal: Side‑light to pop embossed, debossed, and textured stocks.
  • Cleanliness: Microfibre wipe gloss before shooting to remove fingerprints and marks. Trim any loose foil edges.
  • Shot list: Front three‑quarter, macro (close-up) of finishing details, and a short video sweep for foil and spot UV flickers.

One‑page finish brief (copy, paste, adapt for your brand)

Project: Branded gift bags
Intent: Premium feel for in‑store and PR gifting
Finish shortlist: [Matt / Gloss / Soft‑touch / Aqueous] + [Spot UV / Foil / Emboss]
Stock: [Coated / Uncoated / Textured]
Colour priority: [High / Medium] If high, get a proof on a finished surface
Durability needs: [Wipe‑clean / Scuff‑resistant / Light‑use]
Eco preference: [Plastic‑free first / Minimal foil / Laminate acceptable]
Handles: [Ribbon / Rope / Paper‑twist]
Proofing: [Digital hard proof / Drawdown / Wet proof]
Budget & MOQ: [Target price / units], [Earliest delivery date]
Notes: [Any seasonal or photography requirements]

 

FAQs

What’s the difference between matt, gloss and soft‑touch on gift bags?
Matt is low‑sheen and modern, gloss is shiny and bold, soft‑touch feels velvety. Each affects colour and durability differently.
When should I use foil, emboss or spot UV on a gift bag?
Use foil for high‑impact logos, use embossing (or debossing) for depth and feel, and spot UV for a subtle shine over matt options.
Do laminates make colours look darker or glossier?
Matt and soft‑touch can appear slightly darker and flatter, whilst gloss increases the vibrancy and contrast of your colours.
Which finishes are most scuff‑resistant for retail use?
Gloss laminate is the most wipe‑clean, and matt is forgiving to fingerprints. Soft‑touch feels premium, but it can mark if rubbed.
Are laminated or foil‑finished gift bags recyclable?
Unlaminated paper with an aqueous coat is the easiest to recycle. Small foil areas are generally accepted. However, laminates add plastic, so we’d suggest encouraging your customers to reuse their gift bags.
What’s the best finish for small runs or quick turnarounds?
Aqueous‑coated or unlaminated bags with spot finishes kept simple. Digital print routes can lower MOQs, but you’ll need to speak with your supplier.
How do finishes affect photography and on‑shelf glare?
Gloss needs careful angles to avoid hotspots. Matt and soft‑touch reduce glare, but side‑lighting reveals texture and spot UV.
Which finishes pair best with rope vs ribbon handles?
Gloss with rope and eyelets for a robust retail feel, matt or soft‑touch with grosgrain ribbon for more refined, premium sets.