To clarify the differences in finish, I direct your attention to the 2 videos at the foot of this article
- VIDEO 1: Comparison of MAD MAX: FURY ROAD European edition (zero-finish) against the U.S. edition (matte-finish).
- VIDEO 2: Showing three steelbooks revealing the respective differences in the finish between matte, zero and a gloss-finish.
You will already have zero-finish steelbooks in your collection and because the difference is not always glaringly obvious you may not realise that a particular steelbook is not matte as you thought but zero instead.
This illustrated article is designed to explain the difference.
So, just what exactly is a "zero-finish"?
Best described as something in between matte and gloss . . . a supplementary coat if you like on top of the matte base.
This supplementary coat serves to better accentuate the contrasts in the artwork as well as giving depth and bringing out the blacks.
The finish has some of the qualities of a gloss-finish but with less ambient light reflections as well as not being a fingerprint magnet to the same extent.
Comparison images of CLASH OF THE TITANS
Matte vs. zero-finish
The images speak for themselves.
On the left we have the U.S. matte-finish steelbook released at a cheap price vs. on the right the Future Shop exclusive.
The simple matte-finish, without the supplementary coat, looks rather bland next to the zero-finish edition which has more oomph
Some examples of zero-finish steelbooks follow.
UNFORGIVEN
CLOUD ATLAS (France)
(while CLOUD ATLAS Germany release is a matte-finish)
In fact, Warner Brothers do tend to spoil the French steelbook collector as the majority of their steelbooks released in France are in a zero-finish.
Another example is PACIFIC RIM (France) in a zero-finish (the German edition is in a matte-finish)
A final zero-finish example is CLOVERFIELD (U.K.) not released in France
Comparison videos
Zero-finish on the left vs. matte-finish on the right
Matte-finish . . . then zero-finish . . . then gloss finish