Why Do We Like Soft Things?
Soft haptic coatings attract. We all know soft things like a baby’s skin, snow, feathers, or a kitten’s fur. Humans are naturally attracted to soft haptic things because they feel nice to touch. That’s why we like soft surfaces, which are called “soft-touch.”
How We Feel Softness?
The science of touch is called “haptics.” It explains how we feel things with our skin. We use words like “warm,” “soft,” or “smooth” to describe how something feels. These feelings are important because they help us decide if we like an object or not.
Our skin sends messages to our brain to tell us how something feels. For example, an object can feel cold, warm, soft, rough, or even sticky. How something feels can influence our decision to buy it.
From Hard Plastic to Soft-Touch Plastic
Before soft-touch coatings, we only had hard materials like metals, stone, glass, and wood. Plastic, a hard material, became popular because it is light, cheap, and strong. However, plastic doesn’t always feel nice, and it can scratch or turn yellow over time.
To fix this, companies started creating soft-touch coatings that make hard materials, like plastic, feel soft and smooth. These coatings protect the surface and make it look and feel better.
Soft-Touch in Cars
The car industry was among the first to realize that people wanted more than just fancy-looking cars. They wanted cars that felt good to touch inside. So, they started using soft-touch coatings on parts like steering wheels and door handles to give a more comfortable and high-quality feel.
These soft-touch coatings also protect the surfaces from scratches and come in many colors.
Where Else Can You Find Soft-Touch Coatings?
You can find soft-touch coatings on many products, like laptops, smartphones, medical devices, shavers, vacuum cleaners, and even furniture. The coatings are also used on packaging, brochures, business cards, and more, making everything feel smoother and higher in quality.
Eco-Friendly Soft-Touch Coatings
The first soft-touch coatings used harmful chemicals. But now, thanks to eco-friendly chemistry, Cork has coatings that are safer for the environment. These new coatings are water-based and use fewer chemicals, making them better for the planet.
Cork also has a line of UV cured Soft Touch coatings promoting environmental responsibility. Greensoft™ contains up to 25% renewable resources. It is 100% reactive and contains no solvents.
Soft haptic coatings attract and Eco-friendly Soft-Touch Coatings make printed items feel softer and smoother while protecting them from scratches and fingerprints. Many products now use these coatings because they make things feel luxurious and of high quality.
How Cork Industries Can Help
If you’re working on a project that needs soft-touch coatings, Cork Industries has the expertise to help. Our team of experts can guide you through the entire process, from selecting the right materials to applying the best eco-friendly coatings for your needs. With years of experience in the industry, we ensure your products will look and feel great while meeting high standards of quality and sustainability.
