Comparing Gloss and Matte Texture Paste for Crafting
This comparison is part of Part 4 of the Playing with Gels & Pastes series, where I compare similar products and explore when I would choose one over another.
Texture Paste is one of my favourite products for adding dimension and interest to a project.
Unlike gesso, which is designed primarily to prepare a surface for other mediums, texture paste is designed to become part of the finished project by creating raised patterns, texture and special effects.
As part of my Getting to Know Your Gels & Pastes experiments, I compared Couture Creations Texture Paste Gloss Finish and Texture Paste Matte Finish.
What surprised me most was just how similar these two products are. For most techniques, the biggest reason to choose one over the other is simply the finish you want to achieve.
What Do Gloss and Matte Texture Paste Have in Common?
Both texture pastes performed very similarly in my experiments.
They both:
- have a relatively thin consistency and spread easily
- dry clear
- remain flexible once dry
- create a smooth finish
- work beautifully through stencils
- create an excellent ink resist with Distress Ink and Distress Oxide Ink
- can be painted over once dry
- work surprisingly well as adhesives
- can be used for heat embossing
- work for adhering foil
- can be tinted to create custom colours
Because both pastes are relatively thin, you do need to take a little care when using them through a stencil. Secure the stencil well and avoid pushing the paste underneath the edges of the design.
So if they behave so similarly, why would you choose one over the other?
When Should You Use Gloss Texture Paste?
Gloss Texture Paste dries clear with a very shiny, glossy finish.
This makes it the one I would choose when I specifically want the raised design to catch the light and become more noticeable.
It can be particularly effective for resist techniques because the glossy areas provide a beautiful contrast against the inked background.
I would choose Gloss Texture Paste for:
- glossy dimensional effects
- shiny stencilled designs
- ink resist
- projects where I want the texture to catch the light
- adding a clear raised effect without hiding what is underneath
When Should You Use Matte Texture Paste?
Matte Texture Paste also dries clear, but without the shiny surface.
Its soft matte finish allows the dimensional effect to blend more naturally into the project rather than drawing attention through shine.
I would choose it when I want dimension but don’t necessarily want the product itself to become a shiny feature.
I would choose Matte Texture Paste for:
- subtle dimensional effects
- matte stencilled designs
- ink resist
- backgrounds where I don’t want additional shine
- adding clear dimension while allowing other elements to remain the focus
What About Silicone Moulds?
Neither product would be my first choice for creating moulded embellishments, although their results were slightly different.
The Gloss Texture Paste formed the shape, but the finished embellishment became yellow and eventually cracked and broke.
The Matte Texture Paste also became yellow, but remained flexible and did not break.
So while the Matte version technically performed better, my experiments with other gels and pastes produced much more successful moulded embellishments.
This is a good example of an important lesson from these experiments: just because a product can do something doesn’t mean it is the product I would choose for that job.
Gloss vs Matte Texture Paste at a Glance
| Properties | Gloss Texture Paste | Matte Texture Paste |
| Dries clear | Yes | Yes |
| Finish | Glossy | Matte |
| Texture | Smooth | Smooth |
| Flexible | Yes | Yes |
| Stencilling | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ink resist | Excellent | Excellent |
| Paint over | Yes | Yes |
| Adhesive | Good | Good |
| Heat embossing | Yes | Yes |
| Foiling | Yes | Yes |
| Silicone mould | Poor | Better, but not recommended |
| Best when… | You want shine | You want subtle dimension |
So, Which Texture Paste Should You Reach For?
For me, this decision is much simpler than I expected.
Ask yourself:
Do I want the finished design to shine?
If the answer is yes, reach for Gloss Texture Paste.
If you want the dimension without the shine, reach for Matte Texture Paste.
For most of the techniques I tested, either product will do the job beautifully. That also means that if you only have one of them in your stash, you probably don’t need to rush out and buy the other one. Understanding the finish you already have may be far more useful than adding another tub to your collection.
Sometimes the biggest lesson isn’t discovering what a product can do. It’s understanding what it should be used for and whether something you already have can do the job.
Explore More
- Getting to Know Your Gels & Pastes
See how I tested the different gels and pastes in my stash and what I wanted to discover. - Couture Creations Texture Paste (Gloss)
- Couture Creations Texture Paste (Matte)
PLEASE NOTE: All the opinions are my own. None of the products have been sponsored.