Can we combine matte and gloss in one display design?

Yes. Samtop often mixes finishes to guide focus — like matte base with gloss typography, or soft-touch panels paired with reflective metal edge trims.

Will textured finishes increase cost?

Not always. Many premium effects can be replicated using laminated wraps, sprayed finishes, or vacuum-formed sheets — all suitable for scalable, reusable structures.

Is prototyping display surface worth it?

Yes. Prototyping allows for testing under store lighting, touch conditions, and environmental effects. It ensures your brand tone and feel are consistent across regions.

Material Psychology: Using Texture and Finish to Signal Brand Value

Q: Does matte always feel more premium than gloss?

Matte textures feel calm, quiet, and confident — often associated with high-end brands. But gloss can express clarity, precision, and modern luxury when paired with the right materials and finishes.

8 5 月, 2025

How Touch, Reflection, and Surface Quality Influence Customer Perception in Retail Displays
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display

Table of Contents

Texture and finish are emotional tools in display design. Matte signals quiet luxury, gloss expresses clarity, and tactile coatings increase engagement. Use material psychology to build trust, express value, and create brand memory — before a product is even touched.

A great display loses impact if the surface feels wrong — too cold, too flat, too cheap.

Customers judge value through subtle sensory cues: Is it heavy? Soft? Clean? Luxurious? A visual mismatch can undermine your entire brand message.

At Samtop, we help brands select and apply materials that speak — emotionally, visually, and texturally — to create cohesion between product, packaging, and presentation.

🧠 The Psychology Behind Texture & Finish

Material Characteristic	Customer Perception	Emotional Message
Matte finish	Quiet, modern, intentional	“We’re confident. We don’t need to shout.”
High gloss	Clean, sharp, high-precision	“We are bold, clear, and tech-driven.”
Soft-touch coating	Skin-friendly, calming	“We value comfort and care.”
Brushed metal	Solid, structured, premium	“We’re engineered and permanent.”
Textured kraft	Natural, handmade, sustainable	“We are eco-conscious and tactile.”
Glass / mirror	Elevated, transparent, dreamy	“We are light, exclusive, and luxurious.”

💡 Key Insight: Texture is the new tone of voice. Customers interpret finish before reading a single word.

📐 Samtop Material Options by Sensory Profile

Material Type	Tactile / Visual Cue	Best For
Velvet wrap	Soft, matte, quiet	Jewelry risers, fragrance pedestals
Brushed aluminum	Cool, structured, refined	Logo plates, edge trims
UV-coated acrylic	Gloss, smooth, clean	Product trays, tester zones
Embossed kraft/card	Textured, handmade, organic	Natural product displays, sustainability stories
Stone / terrazzo	Premium, heavy, mineral	Skincare plinths, hero product bases
Mirror acrylic/glass	Reflective, immersive	Elevation panels, backdrop layering

🎁 Bonus: Ask for a Samtop tactile sample kit in your Pantone palette.

🔍 Real Case: Texture Redesign for Clinical Skincare

🟨 Client: Medical skincare brand re-entering premium department stores
🟨 Challenge:

Old displays felt too sterile and overly clinical
Needed emotional warmth while keeping scientific authority
Display required rollout across 30+ stores

🟩 Samtop Solution:

Swapped gloss acrylic for mineral-texture matte wrap
Added soft-touch faux leather risers with stitched finish
Retained identity with brushed stainless logo inlay + mirror halo
Protected surfaces with felt sleeves inside crate for reuse

✅ Result:

Shift in customer feedback from “cold” to “clean-luxury”
Customers instinctively touched surfaces — longer dwell time
System reused in holiday campaign with minimal upgrades (gold accents)

🛠️ Technical Design Notes

Matte stone-look wraps offer premium feel with low cost and no fingerprint risk
Soft-touch PU coatings increase tactility and visual warmth — popular for fragrance, skincare, and jewelry
Gloss UV laminates provide durable, wipeable finish for high-traffic testers
Mirror-finished edges add luxury contrast without adding weight
Texture mixing (matte + gloss) subtly directs the eye and controls rhythm

💬 FAQ: Texture & Finish in Retail Display Design

Q: Does matte always feel more premium than gloss?
A: Not always. Matte feels confident and refined. Gloss signals clarity and luxury when used strategically — especially in modern, tech, or minimalist contexts.

Q: Can I combine matte and gloss in one display?
A: Absolutely. Combining textures creates hierarchy — like a matte base with a gloss logo or soft-touch tray beside a metal panel.

Q: Will textured surfaces increase our cost?
A: Not necessarily. Laminates and wrapped foam can simulate stone, leather, or brushed metal — without heavy material or shipping burden.

Q: Should I prototype surface texture before rollout?
A: Yes. Light behavior, scratch resistance, and customer touch response all vary by region and use case. Testing ensures confidence before scale.

🎯 Conclusion: Surface = Story

Your display surface isn’t neutral — it tells a silent story of value, touch, and trust.

✔️ Use materials that echo your product promise
✔️ Match texture to emotional tone (calm, bold, crafted)
✔️ Let the display feel like the brand — before a word is read
✔️ Design surfaces for touch, light, and memory — not just visuals