A Comprehensive Guide To Laminating
What Is Lamination?
Lamination is a process that seals a material with a very thin layer of plastic film. It is commonly used to protect and preserve ID cards, name badges, letters, certificates, photos, posters, graphics, menus, licenses, banners, artwork, decorations, and much more.
There are variations within lamination:
- General lamination: requires a document to be fed into the laminator to contact the film adhesive, then a set of rollers or a large plate presses the film onto the document: the laminating film and the document are bonded. This is the most popular type of lamination used.
- Encapsulation: a similar process to general lamination that uses a much thicker plastic film. This film extends beyond the edges of the material on both sides of the substrate. Encapsulation is used to laminate signs, licenses, posters, and other types of documents.
- Over-laminating: the process of mounting a laminated document to a substrate: stiff foam board, wood, or a metal backing that is overlaid with a laminating film. This type of lamination is most popular for large-format graphics.
Lamination is a process that professionally prepares and preserves documents and materials for presentations, displays, and everyday use. There are many advantages and benefits to lamination: it gives documents a professional, smooth finish that protects the surface from fingerprints, scratches, and spills; it prevents heavy or dark inks from bleeding or rubbing off; it greatly enhances the color and contrast of photos and graphics, preserves sentimental and important documents for many years, and gives items additional strength and rigidity to endure excessive handling, water, outdoor conditions, and shipping.
How To Choose The Right Laminator
There are distinct types of laminating machines and each one provides
different methods to adhere film to documents and materials. The types of
laminators are discussed in detail under the heading “What Are The Types Of
Laminators?” The best thing you can do before you shop for a laminator is to
determine the present and future laminating needs of your business,
organization, or school. The following questions will guide you in figuring out
what your needs are, so you know exactly what type of laminator to shop for.
1. What is the volume of materials you will be laminating on a
daily basis?
This is an important question because laminating
machines operate at various speeds and are built to handle different volumes of
materials. Consider how many items you laminate per hour, day, or month and take
into account if this will increase or decrease in the future. The main
categories are 1) low volume: you use your laminator on a
monthly/weekly basis but not daily; 2) medium volume: you use
your laminator on a weekly/daily basis but not continuously; 3) heavy
volume: you use your laminator on a daily basis for frequent,
continuous applications.
2. What is the width and size range of documents you will be
laminating?
Laminators are designed with different throat widths
to accommodate varying documents and different thicknesses of lamination film
and pouches. For example, some pouch laminators can only laminate up to 4” and
others can laminate up to 20” wide, while roll laminators have various throat
widths from 9” all the way up to 60”.
Lamination film is available in various widths and thickness. If you want
your documents to remain pliable and easily moveable, choose a thinner film; on
the other hand, a thicker film will create a rigid document that is difficult to
bend. Each laminator is designed to accommodate certain types of film and
pouches, so determine the range of documents and materials you will be
laminating before you shop.
3. What kind of materials will you be
laminating?
This is important to determine because many
laminating machines are built to work best with certain materials or substrates.
For example, if you intend on laminating a lot of photos, you will want to
choose a laminator that is photo capable. Some pouch and roll laminators are
designed to work best with photographs, while others are designed to give you
the ultimate versatility and work well with many types of materials and
documents. Some machines can only laminate materials as thick as standard paper,
while others can laminate documents up to ½” thick. If you laminate a lot of
posters, banners, and larger documents, a roll laminator may work best for you,
and if you need to laminate ID cards, name badges, licensees, and other smaller
documents a pouch laminator may be ideal.
4. Will you need a machine that is capable of encapsulation or
mounting, as well as laminating?
If you are
going to be mounting, make sure the laminator you purchase is mounting capable
and can accept thicker materials. Other features to look for are spring-loaded
rollers, which automatically adjust to the item’s thickness while still applying
consistent pressure. If you want to employ double-sided lamination, or
encapsulation, make sure that the laminator is capable of this. Some laminators
can do everything, while other laminating machines are capable of only one type
of lamination. Read carefully about the machines you like before you purchase
one to ensure they fit your needs.
5. How much space is available for the
laminator?
Every environment will have a certain space
designated for their laminator, and every machine will require a minimum amount
of space to work properly and safely: pay attention to these details while you
are shopping for your laminator. Do you need a laminator that can be easily
moved? If so, choose a roll laminator with casters or purchase a lamination
cart, or choose a pouch laminator with a carrying handle. Overall, pouch
laminators are smaller and easier to move, while roll laminators tend to be
larger; however, each type of laminator comes with options to increase their
mobility.
6. What is the environment in which the laminator will be
used?
If you are purchasing a laminator for heavy-volume
applications in an office, factory, or shop, a stand-by mode will allow you to
leave it running all day, without turning it off and on, so you can run
applications at any time. You can also look for safety features if you need a
school laminator, a ready indicators for larger settings to notify the operator
when the machine is ready, and choose a desktop model if you have very little
space to store the laminator.
What Are The Types Of Laminators?
Pouch Laminators:
Pouch laminators are the most popular type of laminator used today because
they are easy to transport, easy to use, and offer high-quality lamination for
an array of documents: ID cards, name badges, photos, certificates,
presentations, licenses, reports, and much more. They are compact, tabletop
machines that can accommodate documents up to 20” wide (depending on the
specific model), and vary in features, which affect the overall lamination
process, ease-of-use, and the size/type of documents they can laminate.
Pouch laminators use pre-cut lamination pouches, which are usually sealed on
one side and have a heat-activated film that coats the inside and eventually
sticks to the document in the lamination process. Manufacturers build their
pouch laminators with 2, 4, or 6 rollers. The rollers evenly and consistently
distribute heat and pressure on the lamination film, so the more rollers a pouch
laminator has, the better the overall lamination quality is and the higher the
production capability.
Overall, pouch laminators are the least expensive type of laminator
available, with the price averaging less than $100; however, some manufacturers
have designed heavy-duty pouch laminators to meet the needs of many businesses
that do cost more.
Roll Laminators:
Roll laminators are used to laminate larger documents; they are available
with throat widths up to 60” wide and some models can accommodate items up to 1”
thick. You can purchase a roll laminator for a specific event, medium-volume use
in an office environment, or for commercial applications that require continuous
use for high-volume applications. Because they are so versatile, roll laminators
are designed with advanced-process control features: variable speed, variable
temperature, reverse function, retractable slitters, cooling systems, pressure
adjustments, automatic shut-off mechanisms, and a host of other features to meet
the multiple and varying needs of every business.
How does a roll laminator operate? They use two large rolls of film; one roll
is usually mounted above the second roll. The top roll laminates the top of your
document and the bottom roll laminates the bottom of the document. Simply feed
your document into the laminator on a feed tray; here it meets the “nip”, where
the film is pressed into the document with the first set of rollers, then passes
to the second set of rollers, which finish the document. The adhesive in the
film has already been activated by a heating method built into the machines:
heat shoes or heated rollers, so the overall process is simple and quick.
Compared to pouch laminators, roll laminators are more expensive. The average
starting price range is around $1,200, and you can purchase heavy-duty,
wide-format commercial roll laminators for upwards of $20,000. There are
literally machines for every budget and laminating need. Educational institutes
and print/copy shops use roll laminators for large documents and they are
popular in factories, businesses, graphic shops, and other businesses with
high-volume needs.
Foliant Laminators:
Foliant laminators have been popular laminators with book publishers and copy
shops and until recently, this type of lamination has been unavailable to most
businesses due to cost. Foliant laminators allow you to laminate a single-side
of a document or material, and they provide the high-quality results found in
other types of laminating machines. This type of laminator is ideal for a range
of documents: book covers, magazine covers, brochures, and more.
Foliant laminators accommodate thin gauge films (1 to 2-mil) and give every
document a professional finish with chrome-coated rollers that are regulated by
an exact thermal control. Every foliant laminator is equipped with a loading
conveyor belt for easy manual feeding, and they can be connected to separators,
that automatically separate laminated sheets and prepare them for bulk stacking
and cutting.
Dry-Mount Press Laminators:
To apply a substrate to a document during the lamination process, dry mount
laminators employ a tissue adhesive, calculated heat, pressure settings, as well
as periods of time. First, determine the temperature for the specific
application and set it. Second, the tissue adhesive is placed between your
document and the substrate, and then you place it in the press. The document,
substrate, and tissue adhesive are pressed for a set length of time; as the
adhesive heats up, it is forced into the document and the substrate: bonding
them. If one period of time does not create a permanent, strong bond you can
easily press the document again, without damaging any of the materials.
Dry mount laminators are ideal for laminating fabric, wood, and thick paper.
The average price range is around $5,000.
Cold Lamination Versus Hot Lamination: Which Is Right For You?
There are several roll laminators that are designed for cold lamination only,
such as the GBC Arctic wide-format roll laminators, and this type of lamination
can be ideal for many applications, but most laminators provide variable
temperature settings, including a cold setting, so it is important to understand
the benefits and appropriate uses for cold lamination and hot lamination and
what is best for your business or organization.
Cold lamination requires no heat and is used for
heat-sensitive documents that can be damaged by heat, such as wax-based ink,
vinyl media, and inkjet printers that use inks that melt in contact with heat.
Cold roll film uses pressure-sensitive adhesives to create a bond between the
lamination film and your document. Cold lamination is the choice for any
application that has the potential to be destroyed by the high temperatures
employed in hot lamination.
Hot lamination will give you the ultimate durability,
permanent protection and preservation, as well as the highest-quality lamination
results with amazing image clarity. This is the best method of lamination for
documents and materials that will not be damaged by heat.
How To Properly Care For Your Laminator
There are several simple things you can do to ensure your laminator operates
at peak performance and lasts for years with minimal maintenance.
First, pay careful attention when you load new film into your roll laminator.
The number one cause of maintenance repairs for roll laminators is loading the
film incorrectly. If you load lamination film backwards, the lamination adhesive
melts and coats the rollers and other parts of the machine with the hot
adhesive. This accumulation can build up over time and cause multiple issues
with your laminator. If the film is wrapped around the rollers, or inserted
backwards, clean the rollers before using the machine for any other
applications.
Secondly, it is important to occasionally clean the rollers on your
laminator. Even the most carefully maneuvered applications result in some
adhesive deposit on the rollers, usually where the lamination film edge is
positioned, so it is imperative to clean the heat rollers occasionally. This is
a simple process; however, you must never use a knife, blade, or any other sharp
object that could easily damage your rollers. The adhesive may be extremely hard
and difficult to remove from the rollers, so rotate the rollers slowly and clean
them regularly for the best results. The expert recommendation is to clean the
rollers at least 2-4 times a year, depending on your usage.
There are additional things you can do/not do to prevent problems:
- Do not laminate metallic or glittered items because the glitter can easily
get stuck in the rollers and damage the laminator, and never laminate
heavily-textured materials or items: coins or wood, as these types of objects
will likely break your machine.
- Let your machine warm up completely before use.
- Always load your lamination film so the adhesive faces away from the
rollers.
- Let finished laminated materials cool before removing them from the
machine.
- Make sure you use films that are appropriate for the ratings of your
laminator.
- Do not leave your laminator on for long periods of time, unless it is
designed with a stand-by mode.
- Do not take your laminator apart; this will void your warranty.
By following the above guidelines and recommendations, you will ensure that
your laminating machine lasts a long time and always operates at maximum
efficiency with minimal maintenance.
Laminating Pouches: The Basics
Laminating pouches are laminating material that is constructed into a
pocket to hold the document or item you want to laminate. A hot laminator is
used to seal the pouch and create a permanent bond between the layers. Pouches
are available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes.
Thickness
The thickness and/or weight of lamination film is expressed in mils.
Lamination pouches are available in 3, 5, 7, or 10-mil thick. The higher
the number, the thicker the film is and the more rigid the final laminated
document will be.
Size
Laminating pouches are also available in various sizes, so choose a size that
is appropriate for the item you are laminating. Pouches are made to match
documents exactly; removing the need to trim the document after it is laminated.
They are available in the following sizes:
- (2-1/8” x 3-3/8”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for credit cards.
- (2-5/16” x 3-1/4”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for data IBM.
- (2-1/4” x 3-3/4”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for business
cards.
- (2-3/8” x 3-5/8”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for driver’s
licenses.
- (2-1/2” x 3-7/8”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for key cards.
- (2-1/2” x 4-1/4”): available in 3, 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for luggage
tags with/without slots or loops.
- (2-5/8” x 3-7/8”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for military
badges and ID tags with slots, slots and clips, or no slots.
- (3” x 4-3/8”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for jumbo materials
with/without a slot-short side.
- (3-1/2” x 5-1/2”): available in 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for index cards
and file cards.
- (3” x 5”): available in 7-mil; designed for file cards.
- (6” x 9”): available in 3 and 5-mil; designed for photos.
- (9” x 11-1/2”): available in 3, 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for letter-sized
documents.
- (9” x 14-1/2”): available in 3, 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for legal-sized
documents.
- (11-1/4” x 17-1/4”): available in 3, 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for
menu-sized documents.
- (12” x 18”): available in 3, 5, 7, and 10-mil; designed for menu-sized
documents.
Pouch Laminating Film
Pouch laminating film is available in several types, and you must know the
application before choosing the lamination film to ensure you make the right
choice.
- Standard Clear Film: this is the most popular choice for
lamination applications; it is imported and costs less than U.S manufactured
select film.
- Select Film: this is a U.S manufactured, high-quality film
that usually costs more than standard clear film.
- Matte Film Pouches: a multi-purpose, non-reflective, mildly
granular finish that makes colors more vibrant and reduces glare. These pouches
accept pencil, pen, marker, and reduce smudging, which makes them ideal for
indoor and/or outdoor lamination applications.
- Pressure-Sensitive Pouches: these pouches are designed with
a sticky back that can be peeled off and stuck to a surface after it has passed
through a laminator.
- UV/UL Pouches: these pouches are designed for outdoor use
and are able to filter out UV/UL rays that can cause fading in the laminated
documents.
Laminating Film: The Basics
Laminating film is available in different widths and thicknesses, and
like laminating pouches the thicker the film is, the more durable a document
will be.
The application determines the film size, and sizes range from (2.25” x
3.75”) all the way to 1,000’ long rolls. The thickness (mil) will determine the
protection level and rigidity. Items that are handled regularly and need a lot
of protection require a high mil value, while large graphics, art, and other
materials that need clarity and are handled less often need a lower mil.
Core Thickness
The core is a hole that runs through the lamination film, and roll laminators
are designed to use lamination film with varying core thicknesses. The majority
of laminators that have a throat width of 12”to 27” use lamination film with a
1” core, and wide-format roll laminators use lamination film with a core from
2-1/4” to 3”. Check the information on the laminators while you are shopping, or
read the manual for your laminator to determine what size core you should
use.
Hot Laminating Film
Thermal laminating film, also known as heat-activated film, is constructed of
one layer of a polyester base film and one layer of an adhesive resin: both are
bonded together. During lamination, the adhesive resin is melted and bonds with
the document. Once this resin is liquefied, it spreads across the surface of the
document and then pressure is applied to adhere it with the surface of the
document: creating a permanent bond.
Hot laminators use two main types of lamination film:
- Standard Film: used for everyday lamination applications
for documents without a heavy ink lay-down.
- Low-Melt Film: a special film that requires lower heat
temperatures to adhere to a document. It is used for materials that are
sensitive to high temperatures: photos and heavy ink documents.
Choosing Hot Lamination Film
To select the right lamination film for an application, determine how the
finished product will be used. Differences in lamination film are made by the
film’s thickness and its melt temperature; read below to determine the
appropriate applications for each hot laminating film category:
- 1.5-mil film: This film should be used when you need to
protect items for a short period of time, with less concern about wrinkles,
curling, or waviness. It is an inexpensive film that is ideal for such projects
as sports-team rosters, parade signs, and other items that are used for short
periods of time. 1.5-mil film requires higher temperatures (300ºF-310ºF), it has
a low thermal mass, which allows it to quickly lose heat to the document during
the lamination process and make the overall laminated document less durable and
more likely to de-laminate in a short period of time.
- 3.0-mil film: This film will give your documents excellent
long-term protection and resists wrinkling, curling, and waving.
- 5 and 10-mil film: These are the thickest films available
and should be used when you need the greatest protection and rigidity. They work
well with presentation materials, teaching aids, and items that are handled
everyday.
Hot lamination film is available in a variety of finishes:
- Matte: a multi-purpose, non-reflective, mildly granular
finish that makes colors more vibrant. This finish is ideal for pencil, marker,
and pen and has a temperature range of 210ºF-275ºF.
- Satin: gives your laminated documents less glare and a soft
sheen.
- Luster: reduces glare while producing a sparkling sheen on
laminated documents.
- Gloss: ideal for documents with bright colors, adds
radiance and definition to images.
- Clear: an everyday film for roll laminators that adheres
to most ink lay-downs. It is mostly used in educational institutes and copy
shops because of its versatility. Gives laminated documents a glass-like finish
and has a temperature range of 210ºF-275ºF.
- UV Roll Film: A clear film with the benefits of UV
protection. Your laminated prints will last up to 5x longer with UV film, and it
has a temperature range of 185ºF-195ºF.
Cold Laminating Film
The lamination film for cold roll or pouch laminators is also called
pressure-sensitive film, which refers to the sticky side of the film that
adheres to the document when the film comes into contact with it. Cold
lamination film is available in a variety of styles, widths, and thicknesses.
Like hot lamination film, the thicker the film, the more rigidity and durability
the finished document will have.
Cold lamination film is available in several styles to suit an array of
applications:
- Double-Sided/Dual-Laminating: used to laminate your entire
document, on both sides, for the ultimate protection.
- Single-Sided: used to laminate only one side of document,
like the front of a book cover.
- Magnetic: used to laminate one side of your document with a
laminating film and the other side with a magnetic backing.
- Transfer Adhesive: used to laminate both sides of your
document, while simultaneously applying an adhesive backing with a peel-away
liner that reveals the adhesive. This type of lamination allows you to stick the
laminated document to a variety of surfaces: glass, wood, plastic, and more.
- Over-Laminate: a laminating film that is cut out and laid
over the material. It is commonly used for floor graphics, wall art, storefront
signs, and games.
Cold lamination films are available in a variety of finishes:
- Matte: a multi-purpose, non-reflective, mildly granular
finish that makes colors more vibrant. This finish is ideal for pencil, marker,
and pen and has a temperature range of 210ºF-275ºF.
- Satin: gives your laminated documents less glare and a soft
sheen.
- Luster: reduces glare while producing a sparkling sheen on
laminated documents.
- Gloss: ideal for documents with bright colors, adds
radiance and definition to images.
Dry Mounting Tissue
This tissue is a heat-activated, permanent tissue that is formulated for
easier bonding of porous paper and smooth materials. It allows air to easily
pass though it, which makes it great for mounting posters and similar documents.
It is not recommended for resin-coated photos.
Common Laminating Accessories
There are several types of accessories that are commonly used in lamination
applications, which are designed to increase project efficiency and work
hand-in-hand with your laminated documents.
Foam Mounting Boards- Foam mounting boards are a 3/16” piece of white foam
board that is coated with a heat-activated adhesive. They can be ordered in
special sizes, finishes, colors, or with a self-adhesive backing. Make sure to
use these boards with laminators that are designed to work with a mounting
board.
GBC SelfSeal Laminating Pouches- These innovative pouches
allow you to laminate a document anywhere, without a laminator. You simply peel
back the pouch and reseal it, without worry of air bubbles or wrinkles. They are
available in a variety of sizes to laminate: photos, letters, ID cards, luggage
tags, and other documents.
Laminator Cleaning Supplies- Laminator cleaning supplies are
essential for keeping your machine clean and running at peak performance by
reducing adhesive build-up and maintenance. You can purchase a cleaning kit that
includes everything you need, or simply replenish the foam cleaner.
Laminating Film- Laminating film is essential to preserve
and protect documents and is used in all types of business, educational, and
marketing settings. It is composed of polyester and adhesives to give your
applications a smooth and clear lamination. Please read the above section:
“Laminating Film: The Basics” to ensure you purchase the right size and finish
for your projects.
Laminating Pouches- Laminating pouches are pre-cut,
pre-sized, and available in a variety of sizes to allow you to easily laminate
all types of commonly used documents. To ensure you select the correct size and
thickness please read the above section: “Laminating Pouches: The Basics” before
purchasing supplies.
Laminating Pouch Boards- Laminating pouch boards are a 3/16” foam mounting
board coated with a low-temperature, heat-activated adhesive, as well as a sheet
of laminate attached to the leading edge of the board. You should only use these
types of pouches in a laminator that is designed to laminate a pouch board. They
can be purchased in special sizes, finishes, colors, as well as with a
self-adhesive backing.
Laminating Pouch Accessories:
- Chains, Loops, Straps, Clips, and Chains- These accessories
allow you to easily conceal, access, and swipe ID cards when needed. They are
available in many lengths, styles, and colors to attach to a variety of ID cards
and badges.
- Badge Reels- Retractable badge reels are a very popular
choice for displaying and carrying ID cards. They allow you to easily scan your
ID card, while keeping it out of the way.
- Slot Punches- Slot punches allow you to punch slot holes in
laminated pouches, paper, PVC cards, photo ID cards, and other types of
materials so you can easily use a lanyard or badge reel.
Laminating Pouch Carriers- Pouch carriers protect your
laminator by preventing wrap-arounds and adhesive oozing onto your rollers. They
are made from a coated stock paper that prevents your pouches from sticking to
the carrier and are available in a variety of sizes that can be cut for a custom
fit.
Definitions Of Laminating Terms
Adjustable Temperature Control: A laminator feature that
includes a built-in adjustable thermostat that allows you to use a greater range
of film thicknesses and lamination materials. Each model with this feature will
have an adjustable dial thermostat that allows you to choose a temperature that
will give each application the exact heat setting it needs.
Blocking: A laminating mishap, in which the laminating film
sticks to itself and becomes difficult to unwind.
Carrier: A piece of folded cardboard that has a non-stick
coating on the glossy side that protects the laminator by catching excess or
leaking adhesive that has oozed out of the pouch during the lamination process.
A carrier helps increase the life and performance of your laminator and can keep
the heat consistent and uniform during your lamination applications.
Clear Roll Film: A lamination film ideal for everyday use
that adheres to most ink lay downs, and is popular with educational institutes
and copy shops because of its versatility. Gives documents a glass-like finish
and has a temperature range of 210ºF-275ºF.
Clouding: A lamination defect that results from a lack of
sufficient heat during the lamination process.
Cold Lamination: A lamination process that requires no heat
and uses pouches with a sticky coating inside that adheres to the materials
being laminated.
Cooling Fans: Usually located at the back of the laminator
and transfer heat from the laminated document and vent it into the surrounding
air, quickly cooling the documents, which results in a curl-free, flat
application.
Cooling Plates: Usually located at the rear of a laminator
to absorb heat off a laminated document as it exits a machine, releasing it into
the surrounding air. This process creates curl-free, flat documents.
Cooling Tray: A flat surface placed at the exit of a
laminator, that allows documents to cool evenly, resulting in curl-free, flat
applications.
Core Thickness: A hole that runs through the middle of the
lamination films. Each laminator manual will state what size core film to use.
De-lamination: Can occur when the lamination film separates
from the material, or when the base film separates from the adhesive.
Dry Mounting: A thermal lamination process, which uses a
heat-activated dry-mount tissue to adhere to the back of an image to foam board,
mount board, or another surface. This adhesion may take place with a press or a
specific type of laminator. Dry mounting is commonly used for art and photos.
Emboss: A process that impresses an image onto a product or
document to achieve a raised surface.
Encapsulation: A lamination process, either by pouch or roll
lamination, which completely encases a document in laminating film. Usually a
border exists around the top and bottom of the materials where the film layers
are bonded.
Finish: The surface appearance of a lamination film.
Glossy: A shiny film finish ideal for documents with bright
colors, adds radiance and definition to images.
Handgrip Slot Punch: A small device designed to punch small
holes in laminated documents.
Hand/Desk Slot Punch: A small device with a built-in guide
for accuracy designed to punch small holes in multiple items.
Heat Plates: A heating device used in laminators that uses
high-wattage, silicone-bonded heaters for quick warm up and uniform heat
distribution.
Heat Shoes: Solid, aluminum, extruded shoes that heat up to
the operating temperature set on the laminator to melt the adhesive on the film
as it is drawn across the shoes.
- Heavyweight Heat Shoes- Heat shoes that are designed to
wrap around the front rollers and provide a larger heating surface, which
increases the shoes efficiency to provide a uniform heat for a professional
lamination application.
Heated Rollers: A heated roller system in which the roller
is heated internally, then the heat is transferred to the document.
Hot Lamination: A lamination process that uses heat to
activate the lamination film, causing it to adhere to the material being
laminated.
Inserts: Items inserted into a lamination pouch. They need
to be several mm smaller than the outside dimension of a pouch to ensure
encapsulation is successful.
Lamination: A process that uses a plastic film to bond to a
substrate using heat and/or pressure for protection, preservation, and a
professional appearance.
Matte Film: A lamination film that has a slightly granular
frosted texture that reduces glare and easily accepts pencil, pen, marker, and
reduce smudging, which makes it ideal for indoor and outdoor applications.
Melt Temperature: A range, or a specific temperature, at
which a thermal film or adhesive is best applied.
Mil: The thickness of lamination film; thousandths of one
inch.
Nip: A line where two rollers press together.
“Orange Peel”: A lamination defect as a result of too much
heat being applied during the lamination process.
Over-laminating: The lamination process of mounting a
laminated item to a substrate that is overlaid with film.
Polyester: The base, or outer protective layer of many
thermal lamination and PSA films that does not melt during the lamination
process.
Polyethylene: An adhesive used most frequently in thermal
films. During thermal lamination, this adhesive melts and then cools to become a
flexible solid.
Pouch: A pocket that has two flat layers of film, pre-sealed
on one end, with heat-activated adhesive coated inside, which hold documents for
lamination. Also available in a cold film, which has a pressure-sensitive
adhesive on the inside and requires no heat.
Pouch Laminator: A compact laminator designed to accommodate
ID cards size pouches and A3 or A4 pouches.
Preset Temperature Control: A preset, non-adjustable
temperature setting that usually allows a laminator to accommodate one or two
film weights.
Pressure Adjustment: Allows you to adjust the pressure
applied by the rollers to accommodate different thicknesses and types of
materials that require different pressures.
- Lever-Lock Adjustment- Pre-set for specific thickness
intervals; rotate the lever to the corresponding mark, and it locks into place,
adjusting the pressure accordingly.
- Pneumatic Adjustment- Relies on compressed air pressure to
adjust the roller heights to accommodate thin or thick substrates up to 1”
thick.
- Ratchet Adjustment- Manually spread the heat shoes and
rollers to pre-set stops.
Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Film: Lamination film that
requires no heat, or low temperatures. This film will adhere to most substrates
and is ideal for over-laminating and mounting applications.
Pressure-Sensitive Pouches: Pouches with a sticky backing
that can be peeled off and stuck to a surface after passing through a laminator;
requires no heat.
Resin: A general term for polymer, polyester, or BOPP that
constitutes the heat-activated adhesive used in many thermal films.
Reverse Function: A feature on laminators that allow the
operator to quickly reverse or remove film wrap-arounds and misfeeds.
Rollers: Provides the pressure to your laminate, making this
part of a machine the largest contributor to the finish quality in a pouch
laminator. High quality rollers are a combination of metal and an external
rubber coating, which gives applications a greater pressure and smoother finish.
Newer models have a silicone coating, which reduces adhesive build up.
Roll Laminator: A laminator that uses film on a roll.
Silvering: Air pockets trapped between a laminated document
and the adhesives on the film.
Slitters: Trimmers used to cut one or both sides of document
as it is being laminated.
Spring-Loaded Rollers: High-pressure springs used to force
the rollers flat for a perfect edge seal on thin documents. If you use a
document mounting board, the springs allow the rollers to automatically adjust
the document, while maintaining maximum pressure.
Squeeze-Out: Melted adhesive that is forced out of the edges
of the lamination by high temperatures.
Streaks: White lines in laminating film caused by trapped
air between the film, substrate, and adhesive layers of the film; this occurs
during the extrusion of the adhesive on the film.
Substrate: Under-layer; refers to the document or material
to be laminated, the mounting board or foam, or the material to which an
adhesive is coated (polypropylene, polyester).
Textured Laminate: A pattern introduced onto a film laminate
by specially engraved rollers: leather, linen, canvas, or sparkler.
UV/UL Pouches: Pouches designed for outdoor projects; they
filter out harmful UV/UL sunrays that contribute to fading.
Variable Speed Control: Allows the operator to increase the
speed for less heat, or decrease the speed for more heat. Eliminates the need
for an operator to manually adjust the temperature when changing film weights.
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