How Embellishments Make a Lasting Impression

At Sterling Press, we know that the smallest design details can create the biggest impact. A recent study illustrates this perfectly: in a test supermarket, two boxes of gourmet crackers sat side by side. Same product, same brand—yet one featured foil accents and a spot UV finish, while the other was plain. The result? 93% of shoppers chose the embellished package. They couldn’t explain why exactly—but the shimmer and texture made the box feel more special. Their fingertips had decided before their minds caught up.

This experiment confirms what luxury brands have long understood: print embellishments aren’t just decoration—they’re persuasion tools. Foil stamping, raised varnish, embossing, and specialty coatings work at a psychological level, signaling quality, sparking emotion, and building trust. And in today’s digital-first world, they make print stand out more than ever.

Think about the last high-end package you opened: maybe a perfume box with gold foil, or a tech gadget with raised varnish details. These aren’t coincidences. They’re deliberate choices designed to say: premium, trustworthy, special.

At Sterling Press, we help brands harness this same effect. Whether it’s foil stamping for elegance, matte coatings for a natural feel, or raised UV that literally begs to be touched—these techniques allow you to speak the language of your audience on a subconscious level.