The use of lamination in signage

Laminating is used to protect a print and to extend the life expectancy of printed signage and materials. Virtually all forms of digital printing technology require either a film or liquid laminate for protection.
Product application

In digital printing, longevity is an important factor. So prints that are digitally printed using photo gloss material or hot and cold laminates with dye-based inks are recommended. This is why laminators are used.
Laminators come in different shapes and sizes. The sizes may range from an identification card size to a poster size. The most common laminator is the "pouch laminator", which is often found in office supply shops. As the laminate is fed through the machine, heat is applied to activate the glue and seal the document in a coating - in a process that is known as "encapsulating". This makes the document waterproof.

Another type of lamination is the roller type which uses either hot or cold processes and is widely used for digital printing, but can be used in mounting prints on foam board, art board, PVC, plexiglass and on vinyl.

Product specifications

Basically there are three finishes for laminating in signage. Whether the process used is hot or cold, the end-product can be:

- Gloss laminates, which produce a brighter or more vibrant colour effect.
- Satin and luster laminates, which are considered neutral and have a "low-glare" effect when applied to a print.
- Matte laminates, which are "no-glare" and are used to tone down colours.

One of the more recent additions to the laminating process is liquid lamination which is used in old and solvent-based applications. There are two types of liquid laminators - those that use pumps and those that use gravity-fed systems to apply liquid laminate.

Product applications

The lamination process is used to preserve office documentation but in the signage industry it can be used on vehicle wraps, graphics for trade shows and for presentations. The type of laminator - its speed, pressure, heat and humidity levels - can influence the end results of a product. Encapsulation, sealing an image between a top and bottom layer of laminate, can be the best solution for enhancing your corporate materials, signage and documentation.