Lamination

Lamination is a popular finish that adds both aesthetic appeal and durability to printed products. This guide explains what lamination is, the types we offer, and key considerations for our clients.

Q: What is Lamination?

A: Lamination is the process of applying a thin layer of plastic film to paper or card sheets. Its primary purpose is to enhance the look and feel of the printed material while also protecting it.

Q: What Lamination Types do we offer?

A: We offer three main types of lamination:

• Matt: Provides a low surface shine and a dense, subtle finish.

• Gloss: Delivers a high shine, making colours appear vibrant and rich.

• Soft Touch: Offers a pleasingly soft, velvety, non-shine finish.

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Q: What is our lamination film made of?

A: Our thermal laminates are made from Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene Film (BOPP).

Q: Why would clients choose to laminate a job?

A: Laminating an order offers several benefits that clients value:

• Tear Resistant: Makes the product more resilient to tearing.

• Durable: Increases the overall lifespan of the print.

• More Water Resistant: Provides a degree of water resistance (though not waterproof).

• Prevents Wear and Tear: Allows products to be handled more frequently without showing signs of wear.

• Prevents Cracking: Especially useful on heavily printed products, it helps prevent the ink from cracking, particularly along fold lines.

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Q: What's the difference between the types of lamination?

A: The main differences lie in their visual and tactile properties:

• Gloss: Creates a high shine, making colours appear brighter and more vibrant.

• Matt: Offers a low surface shine with a dense, subtle finish.

• Soft Touch: Has a pleasingly soft, velvety feel with no shine. There is a price difference for each lamination type.

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Q: Can we use a different lamination on each side (e.g., matt on one side and gloss on the other)?

A: No, we can only apply one type of lamination per job.

Q: Can lamination affect the look of the print colours?

A: Yes, it can. Gloss lamination will make colours 'pop' and appear brighter and more vibrant. In contrast, matt and soft touch laminations can minimally make colours look slightly darker.

Q: Are laminated products recyclable?

A: No, unfortunately, as lamination is a plastic film, the product cannot be recycled.

Q: Does lamination affect the thickness or weight of the product significantly?

A: It will definitely affect the feel of the card, making it feel more substantial. However, in terms of measurable thickness or weight, the impact is incredibly minimal as the layer is very thin. You wouldn't notice a huge difference unless the product was precisely weighed or measured for thickness.

Q: How long will a product last with lamination?

A: The lifespan of a laminated product depends entirely on its intended use and how well it is looked after. We do not provide an estimated lifetime.

Q: Can clients write or stamp on laminated products?

A:

• You will generally not be able to write on gloss lamination unless using a permanent marker, as other pens will likely smudge.

• For soft touch and matt laminations, you should be able to write on them, but we always recommend an uncoated stock if the primary purpose is for writing.

• If a client still insists on lamination for a product they intend to write on, please send them samples to test suitability before they place a full order.

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Q: Can we laminate uncoated stock?

A: No, we cannot laminate uncoated stock. Laminate and uncoated surfaces do not adhere well together. In all cases, we only laminate on top of silk stocks.

Q: Can we laminate gloss stocks?

A: No, we only laminate silk stocks.

Q: What is the lightest stock we can laminate?

A: We laminate 170gsm silk or higher.

Q: What is the largest size we can laminate?

A: The maximum sizes we can laminate are:

• 1800 x 1200 mm for Gloss & Matt lamination.

• 520 x 720 mm for Soft Touch lamination.

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Q: Does lamination make a job waterproof?

A: No, it does not make a job waterproof. It will be slightly more water-resistant than non-laminated print, especially gloss, but water will still damage the print.

Q: How many laminators we do have at R1P?

A: We have 3 laminators currently. They all the availability and capability to laminate on various sheet sizes. The operators group work together in lamination types and sheet sizes to reduce downtime due to changeovers (which take roughly 5 minutes) alongside make readies to ensure the lamination is at the correct temperature and is providing the right coverage.