The Difference Between Glossy, Satin, and Matte Can Labels

When it comes to your brand, the right packaging is everything. After putting your heart and soul into crafting the perfect recipe, designing your label is going to be the next step toward solidifying your brand and achieving fly-off-the-shelf profit. 

After all, brand recognition is important for building a loyal customer base. While a delicious product should always be the top priority, creating unique, high-quality aluminum can packaging is going to be a close second—and an all-encompassing shrink sleeve label will get you there. 

After you’ve chosen the artwork, typography, and colors for your label, one final decision remains—the finish, or look, of your label—glossy, satin, or matte. In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each finish to help you create a brand message that makes an impact.

 

What is Shrink Sleeve Labeling?

 

Before we dive into the three finish options, it’s important to understand what shrink sleeve labeling is. 

When you think about larger beverage companies, you probably picture a pretty basic can design. This is because many corporations opt for the simple process of ink printing—which involves placing ink directly on the exterior of the can. 

With ink labeling, only the colors and typography can be customized. However, in most cases, the artwork can often appear muted or blurry against its aluminum backdrop, especially when performed on a large scale. 

Shrink sleeving, on the other hand, opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. With a shrink sleeve label that is often included in co-packing services, you can print clear designs, adjust your finish and materials, and incorporate a bright assortment of colors with ease. 

This is why many smaller businesses tend to opt for this method, instead. Here’s how the process works:

 

Step #1: Design a label

First, you’ll want to come up with a design for your shrink sleeve label. This can be discussed with your manufacturer beforehand to ensure the final product is to your liking. While some business owners develop their logo themselves, others may hire a local artist or graphic designer to create an image that truly embodies their brand.

Step #2: Print the labels

Next, your manufacturing company will print these labels on high-quality plastic material. Today, the most commonly used material for shrink sleeves is known as Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol.

Step #3: Apply the labels

Each label is then loosely wrapped around the full circumference of each can via a conveyor belt system. 

Step #4: Heat the cans

Finally, the cans are sent through a heat tunnel. The heat can come from either steam or dry heat sources (electric heaters.) The heat works to shrink the loose-fitting labels so that they perfectly fit around each can. The end result is an intricate, high-quality label that cannot be removed from the aluminum. 

Due to the nature of shrink sleeve manufacturing, opting for this labeling method allows for faster production, more flexibility, and lower overall cost. With shrink sleeve labeling, you’ll only be printing the exact amount of labels needed for each batch. 

Shrink sleeve labeling also provides the added benefit of a faster lead time, whereas printed cans can take up to 12 weeks to manufacture.

 

What Are the Different Types of Can Labels?

 

Now that you’re familiar with the process of shrink sleeve labeling, it’s time to explore the different types of shrink sleeve labels—glossy, satin, and matte can labels. Let’s take a look at how these different finish options stack up against each other.

 

Glossy Labels

 

Glossy labels are going to produce the most reflective product possible. This look is achieved by applying a laminate or varnish to the standard shrink sleeve label material. If you’re considering a glossy label for your brand, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages that come along with this option.

There are a number of reasons why businesses may opt for a glossy can label:

 

• Eye-catching – Glossy labels have a high-shine factor that can draw customers in. If you truly want your design to pop compared to other cans on the shelf, a glossy finish is a great way to achieve this. 
• Protective – The varnish used to create this glossy appearance can also lend an added layer of protection to your label. This can help prevent your design from getting damaged, smudged, or dirty. 
• Holographic elements – If you’re looking to add a holographic element to your design, a glossy finish is going to be the ideal choice. A glossy label will enhance the ways in which the light hits your label and make these touches truly pop.

Of course, choosing a glossy finish can pose a unique set of challenges when designing your can label, as well:

 

• Writing – If you’re a smaller business that labels each batch by hand with a pen or a marker, a glossy finish can make this a bit trickier. With a glossy varnish or laminate, you can expect most writing utensils to smudge or fully disappear off your label. 
• Text – With a glossy finish, text can sometimes be more difficult to read. The reflective quality of this type of label is not always recommended for all color schemes and fonts—especially when using smaller text. 

 

Satin Labels

 

A satin label is going to fall somewhere between the shine of a glossy label and the dullness of a matte label. Unlike a glossy finish, satin does not reflect light in the same way. A satin label will, however, produce a smoother, softer look than a completely matte one—they’re typically created by adding a UV varnish to the surface of the label.

Here are a few benefits to choosing a satin label: 

 

• A balanced look – Many beverage companies opt for satin labels because of the unique look they create. This type of finish lends a balanced appearance to your design that’s different from your average can, but still sleek and stylish.
• Velvety – There’s something uniquely enticing about a satin label. This type of finish invites customers to touch the exterior of the can, thus drawing them in. Once your customers already have the product in hand, they’re more likely to commit to a purchase.
• Long-lasting – Satin UV varnishes are one of the most durable and long-lasting finishes available for can labeling. This type of finish can also be added to specific areas of your design to make certain elements pop.

As with any finish, there can be a drawback to choosing a satin label for your brand:

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• Extra work – Adding a UV varnish to your label will typically require an added step in the manufacturing process. In order to lock this finish in, your label must be cured under UV light. This is something to consider if you’re working with a tight budget.

 

Matte Labels

Finally, we have the category of matte labels. While matte can labels were not always popular, many small businesses have branched out by using this unique design in recent years. Matte labels are created by adding a specific type of laminate that limits the amount of light the material can reflect. 

There are several reasons why more and more beverage brands have moved toward matte labels in the past decade:

 

• Natural feel – Matte labels create a more “natural” feel in the eyes of the customer. This is particularly helpful for brands that focus on healthy beverages and organic ingredients.
• More unique – One of the biggest reasons why beverage brands are beginning to use matte labels is because nobody was using them for so long. In a store filled with glossy cans, it makes sense that a matte label would stick out and intrigue consumers. 
• Elegant – Matte labels tend to have pretty intricate designs, thus creating a more elegant look for the brand itself. Many people also attribute matte cans to craft breweries, since this is where the trend began.

If you’re looking to hop on the matte label bandwagon, it’s important to keep the cons of the finish in mind, as well:

 

• Duller colors – With a matte finish, the colors you choose for your design may not pop as much as they would with a glossy or satin varnish. Of course, this can be an artistic choice if your brand relies on more muted colors. 
• Popularity – While matte labels were once a rare sight to see, many beverage businesses are opting for this look in 2021. As time goes on, choosing to stick with the traditional glossy look may actually become the more unique option.