| In simple terms...to PROTECT the print or extend the | | | | edges, it is waterproof. The pouch laminator only uses |
| life expectancy! Virtually all forms of digital inkjet | | | | hot laminates and is fairly easy to use. |
| printing technology needs either a film or liquid laminate | | | | Another type of laminator is the "Roll Laminator". This |
| for protection. Yes, even the solvent based inkjet | | | | style of laminator uses rolls of laminate that are |
| prints. Solvent based inks with no lamination may last | | | | pressed between two rubber or silicon rollers to apply |
| up to two years in outdoor conditions, but to achieve | | | | the laminate to the document. Size of the laminator |
| the longest possible durability a laminate must be | | | | can vary from 12" to 80" in width with as many |
| added. | | | | features as there are sizes. Among these laminators |
| Your typical aqueous (water) based inkjet prints are | | | | there are two types, which are "Hot" or "Cold". A "Hot" |
| more prone to damage than the solvent based prints. | | | | laminator has the advantage of using either hot or cold |
| Sometimes all it takes is a drop of sweat, a splash of | | | | laminates, whereas the "Cold" laminators only use cold |
| water or accidentally touching a dirty surface to turn a | | | | laminates. Even though they may look identical, they're |
| beautiful print into garbage. Humidity and moisture are | | | | not! |
| big problems for the aqueous prints. Have you ever | | | | Hot laminators heat the roller or rollers up to |
| seen what happens to a photo gloss print that is | | | | temperatures that can exceed 240 degrees. The |
| placed under glass or in a plastic sleeve that has not | | | | heated roller(s) activates the glue of the laminate as it |
| been laminated? It's not a pretty sight to see a | | | | is being fed through the machine. This laminator can |
| perfectly good print stuck to the inside of the glass or | | | | also use cold laminates by not heating the roller(s). One |
| plastic. However, there are water resistant inkjet | | | | option that you may have is that both the upper and |
| materials available which can resolve some of these | | | | lower rollers can be heated. A distinct advantage |
| problems, but may leave a watermark or stain on the | | | | when encapsulation is needed. The dual heated rollers |
| print. | | | | allow for encapsulation of a printed item in one pass, |
| Handling these prints may not be as easy as it sounds. | | | | similar to the above mentioned "Pouch" laminators. |
| A kink in the material or a minor scrape against an | | | | There are specific roll laminators that are designed for |
| object could possibly cause the ink to come off and | | | | dye sublimation processes. The laminator is outfitted |
| then its back to the printing stage again. Basically, you | | | | with steel rollers that can reach temperatures greater |
| handle the prints with care until they are protected. The | | | | than 400 degrees. |
| product line for aqueous inks are improving, but it's | | | | A roll laminator is the most widely used type for digital |
| doubtful that we will be able to get completely away | | | | printing, but it has other uses too! Do you ever get tired |
| from the use of laminates and those new materials will | | | | of applying transfer tape to those big projects? |
| have a higher cost associated with them. | | | | Solution...try using a laminator and cut your labor time in |
| Remember that it is up to you to inform your client as | | | | half. What about mounting a print to some type of |
| to what is needed to protect the print, because they | | | | board such as a foam board, art board, pvc or |
| may not understand the various applications to digital | | | | plexiglass? Do you have several one color yard signs |
| printing. You have to assist the client in making certain | | | | to apply vinyl to? You can always find some use for a |
| decisions on the finished product and have a good | | | | laminator! |
| understanding of how the print is to be used. Is it used | | | | One of the latest additions to the family of laminators |
| indoors or outdoors? Is it a one day event? What | | | | is the liquid laminator. This type of unit was originally |
| elements will the print be exposed to? More than likely, | | | | designed to accommodate digital prints that used an oil |
| the client will rely on you to make the decision as to | | | | or solvent based ink, but can also be used for aqueous |
| the material, ink and lamination (if needed) to use for | | | | based prints too. These machines are commonly used |
| their project. | | | | in conjunction with the grand format digital printers and |
| Longevity is an issue with digital printing. How long will it | | | | thus can be very large, up to 16' in length. Features for |
| last? Truthfully, no one knows for sure. I, personally | | | | the liquid laminator may include a roll to roll feed |
| have few prints that are over ten years old that were | | | | system and a drying system. There are two types of |
| digitally printed using a photo gloss material and a 5mil | | | | liquid laminators, one that uses pumps and the other |
| hot laminate with dye based inks. They look as good | | | | that uses a gravity feed system to apply the liquid |
| as the day they were printed, but then again these | | | | laminate. The liquid laminate can be applied in various |
| prints have never been exposed to sunlight or | | | | thicknesses to accommodate the prints use and/or |
| exposed to extreme conditions. In looking at the vehicle | | | | longevity. The great thing about liquid laminate is its |
| wraps and graphics that we see everyday, we really | | | | cost and that it can provide the same amount of |
| don't know how long they will last. Be assured that the | | | | protection that a film laminate might. |
| people that produced those graphics made every | | | | The cons to looking into any type of laminator may |
| effort to protect the print and maximize the life | | | | appear to be the cost, but if you weigh out the |
| expectancy. Even if they were only to be used for a | | | | alternatives you may find the significant time savings, |
| short period of time. | | | | and time is money, that can offset the expense, plus |
| There are others out there, but the above are the | | | | satisfied customers. Below are some examples of |
| companies that you may recognize by name. Is one | | | | how to utilize your laminating machine. |
| better than the other? Not necessarily. It all depends | | | | - . Create and personalize your own ornaments. Color |
| upon what you need and what your future goals might | | | | and cut out holiday items such as trees, stockings and |
| be. Features in theses machines could be the deciding | | | | snowmen from construction paper. Laminate and |
| factor along with the price tag. | | | | hole-punch each ornament and hang by a ribbon on |
| Types of laminators | | | | your tree. An excellent idea for kids. |
| Laminators come in all shapes and sizes. The sizes | | | | - Design personalized gift |
| may range from an identification card size up to 80" in | | | | - Savor holiday recipes by laminating them. You can |
| width. Each type or style of laminator has its specific | | | | also copy these recipes and laminate them to create |
| purpose. Some are designed to have a multiple use | | | | a great gift for your daughter who just got her own |
| design, while others only have one purpose in mind. | | | | apartment. Add these recipes to your own cookbook. |
| The most common laminator, known as the "Pouch | | | | - Make your own holiday gifts such as bookmarks |
| Laminator", is found in office supply stores that offer | | | | (color and laminate) and refrigerator magnets (color, |
| lamination services. These laminators are fairly | | | | laminate then add a magnet strip to the back) for your |
| inexpensive and have the capabilities to laminate up to | | | | family and friends. Or, print and laminate these |
| 11" x 17" (ledger size) documents. The pouch laminator | | | | Coupons to tuck in a stocking. |
| uses sheets of laminate that are V-shaped. A | | | | - Produce the perfect holiday placemats. Trace your |
| document is inserted into the V-shaped (pouch) | | | | favorite cookie cutters along the edge of the |
| laminate and feed into the laminator. As the laminate is | | | | placemat, decorate and laminate. Place them on your |
| fed through, heat is applied to activate the glue and | | | | table during your holiday gatherings |
| seal the document in a coating of laminate. This is also | | | | - Tags, Laminate them and tape to your packages to |
| known as "Encapsulating", and as long as the | | | | add the perfect finishing touch. |
| document has an overlap of laminate around the | | | | |
