Can paper have both soft touch and pearl? Choosing between PEARLSKIN, SOFTSKIN and CHROMA
Touch only: SOFTSKIN. Coloured sheen only: CHROMA. Both: PEARLSKIN. What is confirmed about each, and how to choose.
Yes. PEARLSKIN combines a soft-touch coating with ultra-fine pearl on the same sheet. The order of choice is simple: for touch alone, look at SOFTSKIN; for coloured sheen alone, look at CHROMA; for both, look at PEARLSKIN.
What are the three series?
SOFTSKIN: focused on touch, in two levels. Classic has a skin-like feel and is printable and foil-stampable, but not fingerprint- or stain-resistant. Pro has brighter colour and a stronger feel, with fingerprint, stain and abrasion resistance and tolerance to white-spirit wiping (not all solvents).
CHROMA: colour combined with metallic pearl, currently 25 colours, with a fine, even pearl, a balanced sheen and good stiffness and folding.
PEARLSKIN: soft-touch coating with ultra-fine pearl — a strong tactile feel and a car-paint-like sheen (a visual description), with scratch, abrasion, fingerprint and smudge resistance.
How do I choose for a project?
Gift and fragrance boxes that are handled again and again: fingerprints and smudges matter, so compare SOFTSKIN Pro with PEARLSKIN first.
Cards and invitations that are mostly displayed: SOFTSKIN Classic's skin-like feel is usually enough.
Colour with sheen, where touch is not the point: CHROMA.
Why sample each one?
Touch and sheen cannot be judged on screen. Sample all three, compare them side by side under one light source, and make finished proofs with the real printing, foil and scoring rather than letting one stand in for another.
Images are material concepts, not product photography. Judge touch, sheen and colour on the physical sample book.