--- title: "Designing High-Value Plastic Products with a Soft Feel" id: "9674" type: "post" slug: "designing-high-value-plastic-products-with-a-soft-feel" published_at: "2025-09-11T13:10:44+00:00" modified_at: "2025-09-09T13:13:49+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/09/designing-high-value-plastic-products-with-a-soft-feel-009674/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/09/designing-high-value-plastic-products-with-a-soft-feel-009674.md" excerpt: "Widely used in consumer goods, these specialty coatings give plastic surfaces a sleek, smooth, suede-like texture that enhances both look and touch." taxonomy_category: - "Automotive & Transportation" - "Decorating & Coatings" - "Design" - "Durables" - "Elastomers" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "People" - "Polyurethane" - "Process" - "Silicones" - "Sports & Recreation" - "Toys" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene" - "Elastic tactile coating" - "plastic coatings" - "Polyacrylic acid coatings" - "Polyurethane coatings" - "Scratch resistance" - "Silicone rubber coatings" - "Soft Feel Plastics" - "Soft-feel coatings" - "Surface roughness" - "Tactile perception" - "UV-curable coatings" - "Weather resistance" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Process](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/process/) » [Decorating & Coatings](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/process/decorating-coatings/) » Designing High-Value Plastic Products with a Soft Feel # Designing High-Value Plastic Products with a Soft Feel Various plastic products use soft-feel coatings, from car interiors to electronics to pens. ### Widely used in consumer goods, these specialty coatings give plastic surfaces a sleek, smooth, suede-like texture that enhances both look and touch. Soft-feel coatings offer a warm, velvety, matte texture to plastic products as an alternative to complex, shiny textures. Initially developed by German company Bayer in the 1990s, these coatings retain popularity in consumer products today. Soft-feel coatings are primarily comprised of polyurethane (PU), silicon rubber (SR), or polyacrylic acid (PAA). These materials can [add value to specific products](https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/14/6/748) , such as phone cases, where the tactile feel may influence consumer decisions. These coatings can also increase a product’s scratch, weather, and solvent resistance. **You can also read:**[Revolutionizing Textiles: Innovative Coatings for a Cool-Touch Effect](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/05/revolutionizing-textiles-innovative-coatings-for-a-cool-touch-effect-004730/) The Pitaka™ 1500 D Kevlar fiber polymer composite phone case, which combines soft feel, impact resistance, and light weight. Courtesy of [Soft Feel Material Coatings on the Surface of Plastic Products and Their Application Prospects in the Popular Fields: A Review.](https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/14/6/748) ## Human Tactile Perception of the Soft Feel Effect The soft feel of a material as a quantifier of value is subjective. Thus, when designing products with a soft feel, it is important to consider consumer preference in relation to material properties. In 2023, [researchers conducted a study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300944013001124) allowing participants to rank the soft feel effect of various materials. The study found that coatings with the highest flexibility had the best-ranked tactile effect. The best soft feel corresponded with higher hardness, medium modulus, lower roughness, and lower friction coefficient. Coatings ranked with the best soft feel effect had a lower coefficient of friction and lower surface roughness. Courtesy of [Soft Feel Material Coatings on the Surface of Plastic Products and Their Application Prospects in the Popular Fields: A Review.](https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/14/6/748) Other studies concluded that tactile sensation depended on more factors than just material surface characteristics. [Vision can also influence perception of material softness](https://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2777939) , since it provides similar information to factors like roughness and particle size. ## Advancements in Soft Feel Plastics In a 2013 study by Zhang et al., researchers developed an elastic tactile coating for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. ABS resin is prone to defects such as uneven colors and blemishes, as well as issues such as brittleness. A soft feel coating can significantly improve ABS’s disadvantages, while improving the beauty of products made from it. Zhang et al.’s coating comprised linear hydroxyl polyester, TS100 matting powder, catalyst solvent, leveling agent, curing agent, etc. This study found that silicone leveling agents provided smoothness, while acrylic leveling agents provided a leather-like feel. In 2013, a company in Shanghai, China developed an alternative to direct spraying of soft-feel coatings. Instead, they laminated soft feel films on the surfaces of paper, plastic, and other materials. The following year, a Dutch company developed the DuraSilk UV coating, which is UV-curable at low temperatures. Future avenues for research may expand upon recent developments or investigate multiple-material composites to expand material applications. Additionally, optimizing sustainability and affordability, while increasing qualities such as anti-fingerprint and anti-static properties, are of upmost importance. Further improving these materials can provide high-value options for various products, especially where feel is of upmost importance to consumers. By **[Julienne Smith](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/juliennesmith/)** | September 11, 2025 ##### [Julienne Smith](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/juliennesmith/) [+ postsBio ⮌](#) Having studied Geology, Julienne Smith focuses on environmentalism, sustainability, and the policies that impact plastics professionals today. As a technical writer, she is passionate about the intersection of science, technology, and communication. In her free time, she loves learning new things and writing fiction. - Julienne Smith [SPE Microplastics Forum Will Bring Plastics Experts to Baltimore](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/spe-microplastics-forum-will-bring-plastics-experts-to-baltimore-012299/) - Julienne Smith [Catalytic Pathways Target Chemical Circularity for Polyolefins](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/catalytic-pathways-target-chemical-circularity-for-polyolefins-012015/) - Julienne Smith [Thermoplastic Polyurethane Foams for Wearable Electronics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/thermoplastic-polyurethane-foams-for-wearable-electronics-012011/) - Julienne Smith [Polymer Coating Improves Flame Retardancy in Bamboo](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/08/polymer-coating-improves-flame-retardancy-in-bamboo-011831/) ### Other posts you could read [September 25, 2026The Sensorial Container: Designing Packaging for All Five Senses](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/the-sensorial-container-designing-packaging-for-all-five-senses-012190/) [September 21, 2026Similar Settings, Different Flow Marks: The Role of Melt Behavior](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/similar-settings-different-flow-marks-the-role-of-melt-behavior-012232/) [September 22, 2026Chemical Safety in Plastics 2026 Tackles PFAS Reformulation](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/chemical-safety-in-plastics-2026-tackles-pfas-reformulation-012145/) [October 6, 2026From PhD Research to ASTM Standard: Apoorva Kulkarni Advances Aquatic Biodegradation Testing](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/apoorva-kulkarni-astm-d8646-aquatic-biodegradation-012332/) [September 16, 2026In-Line Resin Monitoring Targets Recycled Resin Variability](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/in-line-resin-monitoring-targets-recycled-resin-variability-012269/) [September 11, 2026Sustainability Snapshot: The LEGO Group](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/sustainability-snapshot-the-lego-group-012106/) [September 18, 2026Flexloop Targets High-Purity Recycling for Flexible Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/flexloop-targets-high-purity-recycling-for-flexible-packaging-012132/) [September 30, 2026Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Expand Rubber Processing Options](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/thermoplastic-vulcanizates-expand-rubber-processing-options-012208/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2025/09/designing-high-value-plastic-products-with-a-soft-feel-009674/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&text=Designing+High-Value+Plastic+Products+with+a+Soft+Feel&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&text=Designing+High-Value+Plastic+Products+with+a+Soft+Feel&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&t=Designing+High-Value+Plastic+Products+with+a+Soft+Feel](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&t=Designing+High-Value+Plastic+Products+with+a+Soft+Feel) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&title=Designing%20High-Value%20Plastic%20Products%20with%20a%20Soft%20Feel&summary=Widely+used+in+consumer+goods%2C+these+specialty+coatings+give+plastic+surfaces+a+sleek%2C+smooth%2C+suede-like+texture+that+enhances+both+look+and+touch.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&title=Designing%20High-Value%20Plastic%20Products%20with%20a%20Soft%20Feel&summary=Widely+used+in+consumer+goods%2C+these+specialty+coatings+give+plastic+surfaces+a+sleek%2C+smooth%2C+suede-like+texture+that+enhances+both+look+and+touch.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&title=Designing+High-Value+Plastic+Products+with+a+Soft+Feel](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9674&title=Designing+High-Value+Plastic+Products+with+a+Soft+Feel) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#09367a7c6b636c6a7d345965687a7d606a7a294c676e60676c6c7b60676e2924294d6c7a606e6760676e2941606e61245f68657c6c295965687a7d606a29597b666d7c6a7d7a297e607d612968295a666f7d294f6c6c652f6b666d7034617d7d797a3326267e7e7e277965687a7d606a7a6c676e60676c6c7b60676e27667b6e26367934303f3e3d](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#09367a7c6b636c6a7d345965687a7d606a7a294c676e60676c6c7b60676e2924294d6c7a606e6760676e2941606e61245f68657c6c295965687a7d606a29597b666d7c6a7d7a297e607d612968295a666f7d294f6c6c652f6b666d7034617d7d797a3326267e7e7e277965687a7d606a7a6c676e60676c6c7b60676e27667b6e26367934303f3e3d) - [#comments](#comments)