Arctouch SF
A soft-touch coating that gives a printed surface a dry, velvety drag under the fingertip and a deep matt appearance. It is supplied in water-based and UV-curable grades for cartons, laminated pouches and sleeves that are handled at the point of sale.
Grade Arctouch SF | Range Speciality Coatings for Packaging | Technology Soft-touch matt coating, water-based polymer dispersion or UV-curable, to suit the line
Technical Data Sheet
Arctouch SF
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A soft-touch coating that gives a printed surface a dry, velvety drag under the fingertip and a deep matt appearance. It is supplied in water-based and UV-curable grades for cartons, laminated pouches and sleeves that are handled at the point of sale.
2. Features
- Velvety fingertip drag with a deep matt finish
- Water-based and UV-curable grades, applied by flexo, gravure or roller coater
- Colour is approved over the coating, since the matt film makes dark solids read lighter
- Usually run with an anti-scratch layer or in an anti-scratch modified grade
- Glue tabs and heat-seal areas are left uncoated
3. Recommended uses
Folding cartons, laminated pouches and sleeve stock for retail packs that are picked up and handled at the point of sale, where the feel of the pack is part of its specification.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Soft-touch matt coating, water-based polymer dispersion or UV-curable, to suit the line | Formulation |
| Appearance | Milky to translucent liquid, drying or curing to a deep matt, soft-feel film | visual |
| Carrier | Water on water-based grades; none on UV-curable grades | formulation |
| Non-volatile content | 30 to 45 per cent by weight on water-based grades; 96 to 100 per cent on UV-curable grades | ISO 3251 on water-based grades; ASTM D5403 on UV-curable grades |
| Supply viscosity | Water-based grades 30 to 60 s, ISO flow cup 4 mm at 23 degrees Celsius; UV-curable grades 200 to 800 mPa s at 25 degrees Celsius | ISO 2431; ISO 2555 |
| Specular gloss at 85 degrees, over a printed or laminated surface | 2 to 10 gloss units | ISO 2813 |
| Tactile character | Assessed after full cure against an agreed reference sample | customer or supplier protocol, panel assessment |
| Rub resistance | Lower than a gloss overprint varnish; stroke count and load agreed per pack | ASTM D5264 |
| Blocking | Blocking load below the agreed limit on fully cured samples taken from the stored reel or stack | ASTM D3354 on film; customer or supplier protocol on board |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Flexo, gravure or roller coater; offline application usually gives a cleaner result than inline |
| Surface preparation | Over a fully dried printed or laminated surface; glue tabs and heat-seal areas left uncoated |
| Dilution | Water-based grades: small additions of water only, confirmed against a measured coat weight. UV-curable grades are supplied ready for use and are not diluted |
| Applied coat weight | 3 to 6 g/m2 dry or cured, held even across the web |
| Drying or cure | Water-based grades: dryer air temperature and volume set so the film forms fully and the web leaves dry and cool. UV-curable grades: lamp dose measured with a radiometer and set from a cure ladder with a margin above the lowest dose that passes rub, adhesion and blocking, and rechecked as lamps age |
| Next step | Judge feel and approve colour on conditioned, fully cured samples; where scratch resistance is needed, use the anti-scratch modified grade or an anti-scratch layer agreed with Arctic for this grade so that the feel and sheen are kept, applied before stacking or rewinding |
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original containers, kept closed, in a cool, dry, covered area away from direct sunlight and sources of heat, within the temperature range given on the label; protect water-based grades from frost and keep UV-curable grades in their opaque containers away from light. Shelf life is stated on the label and on the Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.