Laminating film comes in three categories; pressure sensitive film, low melt
film and hot laminating film.
film and hot laminating film.
Pressure sensitive film is also known as cold lamination film. It is
self-adhesive and bonds to the document being laminated with the aid of
pressure from the lamination machine’s rollers, rather than heat. Pressure
sensitive film is suitable for laminating heat-sensitive materials such as ink
jet prints, artwork, photographs, thermal inks, wax images and vinyl signs and
banners.
self-adhesive and bonds to the document being laminated with the aid of
pressure from the lamination machine’s rollers, rather than heat. Pressure
sensitive film is suitable for laminating heat-sensitive materials such as ink
jet prints, artwork, photographs, thermal inks, wax images and vinyl signs and
banners.
Hot laminating film is also known as standard, thermal or premium film. It
requires heat to melt the film over the document. Sufficient heat is necessary
(up to to 140°C) to ensure a uniform ‘burst,’ otherwise the laminate will be
patchy. Hot lamination is normally the best choice for any surface that can
withstand its high temperatures, and is frequently applied to printed matter
such as menus, posters, legal or office documents and work manuals.
requires heat to melt the film over the document. Sufficient heat is necessary
(up to to 140°C) to ensure a uniform ‘burst,’ otherwise the laminate will be
patchy. Hot lamination is normally the best choice for any surface that can
withstand its high temperatures, and is frequently applied to printed matter
such as menus, posters, legal or office documents and work manuals.
Low melt film is a useful option that extends the range of documents that
can benefit from the high quality finish that hot laminating offers. Low melt
film offers comparable quality but at temperatures as low as 110°C. It is often
used for laminating offset prints, digital prints and commercial artwork.
can benefit from the high quality finish that hot laminating offers. Low melt
film offers comparable quality but at temperatures as low as 110°C. It is often
used for laminating offset prints, digital prints and commercial artwork.
Which type of lamination film to choose?
The type of document you want to laminate and the machine you have available
determine which of these films is the appropriate choice in any particular
case. The most popular laminating film UK companies choose is hot laminating
film, thanks to the excellence of the finish it offers. For ultimate quality,
it cannot be beaten. Whereas for households and schools, pressure sensitive
laminating film is especially popular, thanks to its safety when used by or in
the proximity of children. Low melt film is a good choice if your document
cannot take the high temperatures needed for hot lamination, but is not so heat
sensitive that you are restricted to pressure sensitive film. In these cases,
low melt film chooses itself.
determine which of these films is the appropriate choice in any particular
case. The most popular laminating film UK companies choose is hot laminating
film, thanks to the excellence of the finish it offers. For ultimate quality,
it cannot be beaten. Whereas for households and schools, pressure sensitive
laminating film is especially popular, thanks to its safety when used by or in
the proximity of children. Low melt film is a good choice if your document
cannot take the high temperatures needed for hot lamination, but is not so heat
sensitive that you are restricted to pressure sensitive film. In these cases,
low melt film chooses itself.
Laminating film materials
Laminating film can also be broken down by the type of synthetic material it
is made from, with polypropylene, nylon and polyester being the main types
available. Polyester is in fact the laminating film UK buyers
choose first and foremost, thanks to its combination of qualities that include
moderate cost, high durability and excellent scuff resistance. It can also
achieve a good gloss finish, if not as exemplary in that department as
polypropylene.
is made from, with polypropylene, nylon and polyester being the main types
available. Polyester is in fact the laminating film UK buyers
choose first and foremost, thanks to its combination of qualities that include
moderate cost, high durability and excellent scuff resistance. It can also
achieve a good gloss finish, if not as exemplary in that department as
polypropylene.
Although polypropylene is definitely the best for a high gloss finish, it is
also the softest of the three materials we are discussing, and therefore most
liable to scuffing.
also the softest of the three materials we are discussing, and therefore most
liable to scuffing.
Nylon is the most expensive of the three, but is also unique in being
porous, which means that it will help prevent paper from curling. Nylon
requires a high temperature, but also offers the best scuff resistance.
porous, which means that it will help prevent paper from curling. Nylon
requires a high temperature, but also offers the best scuff resistance.
As with the choice of hot, cold or low melt film, the best laminating film
to choose for your particular job will depend on what you are laminating and
the purpose you are intending to use it for. The best way to ensure you get the
right laminating film is to ask a knowledgeable and helpful stockist what they
recommend.
to choose for your particular job will depend on what you are laminating and
the purpose you are intending to use it for. The best way to ensure you get the
right laminating film is to ask a knowledgeable and helpful stockist what they
recommend.