diff --git a/bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py b/bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py
index 05c4f6d9..a8e47c16 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.hover_gradient import enable_hover_gradient
 from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_plugin_auto_updates
 from bec_widgets.utils.round_frame import RoundedFrame
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ class LaunchTile(RoundedFrame):
         description: str | None = None,
         show_selector: bool = False,
         tile_size: tuple[int, int] | None = None,
+        gradient: list[str] | None = None,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent=parent, orientation="vertical")
 
@@ -153,6 +155,8 @@ class LaunchTile(RoundedFrame):
         """
         )
         self.layout.addWidget(self.action_button, alignment=Qt.AlignCenter)
+        if gradient is not None:
+            enable_hover_gradient(self, colours=gradient)
 
     def _fit_label_to_width(self, label: QLabel, max_width: int, min_pt: int = 10):
         """
@@ -215,6 +219,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
             description="Highly flexible and customizable dock area application with modular widgets.",
             action_button=lambda: self.launch("dock_area"),
             show_selector=False,
+            gradient=["#B73665", "#232770"],
         )
 
         self.available_auto_updates: dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]] = (
@@ -229,6 +234,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
             action_button=self._open_auto_update,
             show_selector=True,
             selector_items=list(self.available_auto_updates.keys()) + ["Default"],
+            gradient=["#EE0678", "#FF6A00"],
         )
 
         self.register_tile(
@@ -239,6 +245,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
             description="GUI application with custom UI file.",
             action_button=self._open_custom_ui_file,
             show_selector=False,
+            gradient=["#155799", "#179655"],
         )
 
         # plugin widgets
@@ -257,6 +264,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
                 action_button=self._open_widget,
                 show_selector=True,
                 selector_items=list(self.available_widgets.keys()),
+                gradient=["#000046", "#1CB5E0"],
             )
 
         self._update_theme()
@@ -275,6 +283,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
         action_button: Callable | None = None,
         show_selector: bool = False,
         selector_items: list[str] | None = None,
+        gradient: list[str] | None = None,
     ):
         """
         Register a tile in the launcher window.
@@ -297,6 +306,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
             description=description,
             show_selector=show_selector,
             tile_size=self.TILE_SIZE,
+            gradient=gradient,
         )
         tile.setFixedWidth(self.TILE_SIZE[0])
         tile.setMinimumHeight(self.TILE_SIZE[1])
diff --git a/bec_widgets/utils/hover_gradient.py b/bec_widgets/utils/hover_gradient.py
index ec893eb5..286cde14 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/hover_gradient.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/hover_gradient.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class _HoverGradientFilter(QtCore.QObject):
 
 
 # ─────────────────────────── painter helper ─────────────────────────────
-def _draw_hover_gradient(widget, painter, path):
+def _draw_hover_gradient(widget, painter, path, opacity):
     if not getattr(widget, "_hg_hover", False) or widget._hg_pos.x() < 0:
         return
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def _draw_hover_gradient(widget, painter, path):
     grad = QtGui.QRadialGradient(widget._hg_pos, r)
 
     centre = QtGui.QColor(accent)
-    centre.setAlpha(180 if pressed else 110)
+    centre.setAlpha(opacity if pressed else opacity * 0.6)  # more opaque when pressed
     grad.setColorAt(0.0, centre)
 
     edge = cols[1] if len(cols) > 1 else QtCore.Qt.transparent
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def _draw_hover_gradient(widget, painter, path):
 
 
 # ─────────────────────────── public API  ────────────────────────────────
-def enable_hover_gradient(frame: QtWidgets.QFrame, colours=None):
+def enable_hover_gradient(frame: QtWidgets.QFrame, colours=None, opacity=1.0):
     """
     Inject a radial hover-gradient ‘glow’ into *any* QFrame instance.
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def enable_hover_gradient(frame: QtWidgets.QFrame, colours=None):
     """
     if getattr(frame, "_hg_enabled", False):  # hover gradient injected attribute
         return  # already done
-
+    opacity = 255 * opacity
     # normalise colours
     if colours is None:
         colours = ["#ffffff"]
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def enable_hover_gradient(frame: QtWidgets.QFrame, colours=None):
         else:
             path.addRect(self.rect().adjusted(0, 0, -1, -1))
 
-        _draw_hover_gradient(self, painter, path)
+        _draw_hover_gradient(self, painter, path, opacity)
         painter.end()
 
     frame.paintEvent = types.MethodType(patched_paint, frame)