The Difference Between Glossy and Matte Poster Printing — and Which to Choose

Printed marketing materials are a great way to reach your target audience and promote your brand. Customized posters can be visually appealing and leave a lasting impression, provided you know which finish to use. In this article, we will discuss the difference between matte and glossy finishes.
At Universal Graphics, we offer poster printing services in El Paso to businesses that want to promote their brand with quality materials. If using posters is your go-to marketing strategy, call us today at (915) 591-8943.
Knowing the Difference
Glossy and matte poster finishes display different messages to certain audiences. A glossy finish reflects light, making color contrasts shine. However, a matte finish showcases the detail of the design without having to worry about a glare. Both finishes are popular options in poster printing, but you need to know which one best fits your brand. Read below to see when you should use a glossy or matte finish.
Matte
If you’re planning on placing your poster where there could be a risk for a glare, matte is the better option. You want to go with matte if you’d rather emphasize the details of your design rather than the color. Matte posters are more eye-catching when your print consists of dark colors, is placed under a glass frame, or is put up in a heavily lit area. A few downsides to a matte finish are:
- It doesn’t pair well with a colorful design.
- If you have an old-fashioned touch to your poster, a matte finish won’t give the best effect.
Glossy
When displaying your design in a public place with the goal of attracting an audience, you want your poster to stand out as much as possible. With a glossy finish, the colors and design will be eye-catching and vibrant; they’ll be hard to miss! The only downside to a glossy finish is the glare in bright areas, so make sure your poster is well-shaded before displaying. Some other cons to glossy poster printing are:
- You can’t put it behind a glass frame
- You have to be mindful of the size; a bigger poster means bigger glare
- They can smudge and catch fingerprints very easily
Poster Printing in El Paso
At Universal Graphics, our poster printing services in El Paso are high-quality and affordable. If you need an eye-catching poster for your next event, call us today at (915) 591-8943!