When varnishing is insufficient, lamination steps into the finishing process.

Similar to varnishing, lamination provides the printed product with unique appearance. However, lamination adds to UV light and mechanical damage resistance. In this article, you can learn about several types of laminations, how to use them and how to protect your printed products.

Why to laminate?

Lamination is a process which makes the product stiffer and more resistant to mechanical damage. A special foil made either of polyester or polypropylene is applied to the printed product. The types of foil may differ in thickness, or they may have various surface modifications. Lamination can protect cardboard or paper with thickness from 135 to 500 g. When using this type of lamination, it is not necessary to prepare any special printing date.

Thermal lamination

This process uses heat. A layer of adhesive is applied to the foil. The glue starts a chemical reaction at a higher temperature. The foil passes through a heated roller in the laminator and sticks onto a sheet of paper.

The advantage of thermal lamination is a quick production, low price and accessibility. The product is safe and ready to be used immediately after the process of lamination. Almost all office facilities and professional lamination centres use this type of lamination.

Cold lamination

Cold lamination can be used directly in your office. All you need to do is to stick a lamination foil on the paper. No equipment is needed but your hands. This process is called dry lamination. Unfortunately, it has disadvantages too. For example, the foil is not applied equally and may curl, which causes loss in the value of the product. For this reason, wet lamination is used in professional printing production. In this process, a special roller applies glue on a special foil. Subsequently, the foil is pressed to the paper to be attached to it. A disadvantage is that the product made of thin paper may curl. There is also a less common and more expensive lamination method which uses rollers to press the foil and apply it equally to the printed product.

Laminated does not necessarily mean waterproof.

A lamination foil is applied to one side or to both sides of the printed product, which does not necessarily make the product waterproof. Only pouch lamination provides waterproof property. The paper is covered in foil which is longer and wider. Pouch lamination makes the product waterproof and dirt resistant. This type of lamination is used in offices. Laminating pouches are thicker than other foils and provide high mechanical protection which makes this type of lamination suitable for printed products with frequent manipulation, e.g., ID cards, printed products permanently placed in public spaces.

Lamination for better resistance

• Safety – Scratch resistant lamination which provides the product with high stiffness and interesting appearance. It is used with printed products containing large dark areas. It is more expensive compared to other lamination types.
• Floor stickers lamination – is used to increase the resistance of stickers applied to the floor (on marketing or safety purpose in industry).

Lamination for better appearance

The purpose of lamination is not only to protect the printed product, but to make the product look better and elegant. There are several factors, such as gloss, structure or colour, which affect the final appearance of the product.

Glossy lamination – is the cheapest and the most commonly used type. It provides damage and dirt resistance, increases the colour contrast and thus improves the overall appearance.

Matte lamination – A matte laminated printed product looks more attractive than glossy lamination. The matte surface prevents light reflection and thus is suitable for printed products used outdoors or at bright light. A matte lamination surface is pleasant to touch and allows the user to write on it with a pen or a pencil. It is often used in combination with partial varnish which is applied only to a part of the printed product. The disadvantage is a slightly higher price.

Semi-matte lamination – the appearance partially glossy and matte at the same time.

Velvet lamination – is also called soft touch lamination and besides being pleasant to touch, it gives the product an elegant look. It is most commonly used for catalogues of luxurious products, brochures, or magazines. A slightly higher price may deter you from this type of lamination.

Structured lamination – creates surface like orange peel, grid, leather, metal effect. It ranks among more expensive types of laminations and is used for covers of magazines, catalogues or books. It is also suitable for business cards and other printed products.

Other types – To reach a unique appearance of printed products, various colourful types of laminations can be used, e.g., silver, metallic lamination or lamination with holographic effect.