December 2003: Film Laminating

Some applications simply must be well-supported and well-protected. If a printed piece is going to come in contact with foods or beverages or be handled by greasy hands or kids, it should have a protective surface that can handle the rigors of such heavy usage. Likewise, a project that’s meant to last for a long period of time - regardless of how it’s handled - should be built to last.

Film laminating is a great way to provide the protection and durability that projects such as menus, shop manuals, children’s books, flip charts and displays require.

PLENTY OF FILM CHOICES
Laminating can be applied to one or both sides of a sheet based on the needs of the application. It can also encapsulate the sheet for the ultimate in protection. Here are the three most common laminating films, each of which offer specific benefits to your projects:

Polyester - Polyester films are an ideal choice for many applications. They are extremely durable and offer excellent scratch and scuff resistance. Polyester laminating films are available in gloss and matte finishes.

Nylon - Nylon laminating films are an excellent choice for book covers, as they lay flatter than polyester and resist curling. Nylon films are also available in gloss and matte finishes.

Polypropylene - Polypropylene films are more susceptible to scuffing than nylon or polyester. However, they are more economical than the other two, offer the best true matte finish, and work best with glues and UV coatings. Polypropylene is available in standard, gloss and matte finishes.

Allow a minimum of 24 hours between printing and laminating to be sure inks have properly dried. Also, be sure inks are free of waxes and silicones, which can compromise adhesion.

Avoid excessive offset spray, which will be visible underneath the laminating and result in an unattractive appearance. A water-based prime or size coat can overcome the complications caused by offset spray. However, check with us before applying a size coat to be sure there won’t be any adhesion issues.

THE RIVERSIDE EDGE
At The Riverside Group, we can perform a complete range of post press production services in addition to film laminating. Whether your laminating project is a cookbook or a point-of-purchase display, look to us as an “under one roof” solution for folding, cutting, mechanical and perfect binding, gluing and more.