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LAMCO FINISHERS PROUDLY PRESENTS…
“LAMINATIONUNIVERSITY”
WHY SHOULD I FILM LAMINATE?
Thermal film lamination delivers immediate benefits to a printed piece – most notably, an attractive look and polished feel. Colors will also become more brilliant by use of Film Lamination. But perhaps the greatest benefits to this finishing process are the long-term results. With thermal lamination, your printed materials enjoy greater durability. Unlike UV or other coatings, thermal lamination provides protection against scratching, fading, and smudging. The life of your materials is extended, enabling you to make a long-lasting impression. What is the result for your organization? Increased value and cost effectiveness.
Thermal lamination adds durability and longevity to your printed materials by:
- Making paper more tear resistant.
- Protecting inks.
- Strengthening paper stocks.
- Protecting against scratching.
- Fading and smudging.
Applications/ Usages
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Menus
Book Covers
Fliers
Maps
Posters
Article Preservation
Book/Magazine Covers
Calendars
Mark-On/Wipe-Off
Name Badges
Quality Presentations
Print Protection
Ink Color Beautification
Instruction Pages
Brochures
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WHAT TYPES OF FILM LAMINATION ARE AVAILABLE TO ME?
Polyester, Polypropylene, and Nylon Films are used in the Film Lamination process. Your specific application will determine the right film for your particular job. Depending on your application, both one-sided and two-sided applications are available.
Polypropylene (OPP)- This film is the most economical and where there are no special concerns such as finger prints, scratching, and scuffing, we recommend this type of film. It is available in a variety of finishes. Those are: CLEAR/GLOSSY, MATTE, AND MATTE PRINTABLE.
Film Thicknesses Available: 1.3 mil, 1.7 mil, and 3 mil.
Polyester – This film is the most requested and is the best overall value to the end-user. This film will not show fingerprints, scratches, or scuffs and you can achieve excellent results even on dark printed surfaces. This film is also available in a variety of finishes.
Film Thickness / Clear/ Glossy / Matte/ Dull / Satin/Semi Gloss / AGS Clear / GS Clear
1.3 mil / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
1.7 mil / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
3.0 mil / Yes / Yes / Special / N/A / N/A
5.0 mil / Yes / Special / Special / N/A / N/A
7.0 mil / Yes / N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A
10. mil / Yes / Special / N/A / N/A / N/A
Nylon (Layflat) – This film is used in an application where a printed sheet must remain flat. Paperback book covers is an excellent application of this film usage. Excessive curls may be the result of many areas of opportunity, temperature and humidity being the most evident. Nylon will hold its shape and will not stretch. In addition, this Nylon is glueable. This film is available in a CLEAR/GLOSSY, and MATTE finish.
Very important – Matte films are very soft and scratch easily. Scratching is most evident in dark colors such as blacks, reds, and greens.
Film Thicknesses Available: 1.3 and 1.7 mil
What should I know about One-sided Laminating?
One-sided laminating is a delicate process that requires the utmost skill to accomplish. The process involves a sheet fed overlapping process that requires a minimum of ½” around all four sides of your sheet. As the high-speed laminator applies the lamination, a mechanical wheel makes a horizontal perforation across the sheet. The nature of the film is weaker horizontally than vertically and that being the case, the perforation causes the sheet to snap and separate from the following sheet.
Film Thicknesses Available: 1.3 and 1.7 mil.
Minimum Sheet Size – 9” x 12”
Maximum Sheet Size – 28” x 40”
Desired Paper Stock – 80# Text or Heavier, 100# or Heavier on larger sheets
Maximum Speed – 190 feet/minute
What should I know about Two-Sided Laminating?
Two-sided laminating is the most popular form of laminating. You can choose between a flush or seal trim. In order to produce a seal trim you will need to provide a finished sheet and we will laminate with your choice of lamination thickness and leave ⅛” – ½” seal. It’s your choice! With our specialized equipment we are able to provide flush trim on either an oversized press sheet or a finished size press sheet. (A cleaner edge is produced when an oversized press sheet is provided and trimmed after lamination.)
Film Thicknesses Available: 1.3, 1.7, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0 mil.
Automatic Fed Laminating
Minimum Sheet Size – 2” x 3”
Maximum Sheet Size – 28” x 40”
By Hand
Minimum Sheet Size – 1” x 1”
Maximum Sheet Size – 52” x ∞ (Unlimited length)
Desired Paper Stock – 80# Text or Heavier, 100# Text or Heavier on larger sheets
What should I know about paper stocks relative to Laminating?
It’s a common misconception that in order to add thickness to a sheet that you should lessen the paper stock and add a thicker mil of lamination. This theory is false! It is not only more economical to increase the thickness of the paper stock but the quality/clarity achieved is more superior.
Lamination takes form of the sheet provided. That being the case, let’s consider for a moment a 28” x 40” press sheet printed on a 70# text. This large sheet size printed on a thin paper stock when laid flat is actually wavy, not flat at all. Again, laminating will take exact form of the sheet provided. This is where the misconception comes in, “Let’s apply 5.0-mil lamination to add thickness to the sheet and cause it to lay flat.” This concept is, again, nice in theory, but the result will be a large way sheet with a lot of lamination on it. The finished product would not be very pretty.
Frequently Asked Questions?
- Will lamination adhere to aqueous and/or varnish coating?
Yes, lamination will adhere to most coatings, except the case of those containing high concentrations of silicone and are not heat resistant.
- Can I spot laminate my press sheet?
No, we recommend UV Coating in this instance.
- Can you laminate over lamination?
Unfortunately, you cannot. Lamination does not adhere to laminate.
- How much spoilage is needed to laminate?
Standard is 3%, however; depending on the stock of paper, additional spoilage may be needed.
- What type of paper stock is best suited for laminating?
Generally, paper stocks with a thickness ranging from 6-12 points will provide good results. Papers that are thinner or heavier may work, depending on the application. Copier 20-24# may work on sizes less thank 11 x 17 but is subject to wrinkling and waviness.
Tip: When a seal trim is desired, the seal should always be thicker than the stock. Otherwise, the result is the paper stock being thicker than the seal and the risk…the chance of the seal popping open.