Laminated Printing Services: 8 Frequently Asked Questions

estimated reading time: 6 minutes

1. What is Laminated Printing?

Laminated printing refers to the process of bonding a durable plastic film to the surface of printed documents. To achieve the maximum benefit, the laminate is most commonly applied to both sides.

Commercially-applied laminates are fed from large rolls and use a combination of heat, pressure, tension, and a bonding agent to apply the film. A roller mechanism ensures maximum adhesion and yields a perfectly smooth finish.

2. What types of Lamination are available?

Most commercial printers offer several types of laminates. The most popular choices are shown below…

Gloss Lamination - has a shiny, reflective surface that makes ink colors more vivid

Matte Lamination - offers a smooth, non-glossy finish for a more natural appearance

Soft-Touch Lamination - has a velvety and luxurious texture that appeals to the sense of touch

Dry Erase / Damp Erase Lamination - provides a writable surface that can be wiped off for repeated use

3. What are the Benefits of Lamination?

Provides a Layer of Protection - a laminate film shields the ink and paper against stains, moisture, and general wear and tear.

Increases Longevity - because a laminate is made of durable plastic, it makes printed pieces more resistant to damage. As such, laminates preserve the printing's appearance and usefulness for a longer period of time.

Enhances Appearance - a gloss laminate will increase the vibrancy of the underlying ink colors. So it is the ideal choice for full-color promotional printing, such as brochures or postcards. On the other hand, matte and soft touch laminates soften the ink colors, yielding a sophisticated appearance. Business cards and book covers are good candidates for matte and soft-touch laminates.

Adds Thickness and Rigidity - some printed pieces function better if they are stiff. For example, laminated cards are easier to handle if they are firm and rigid. Likewise, printed pieces that might get bent from frequent handling, such as restaurant menus or bookmarks, will benefit from having a laminate applied.

4. How thick are the Laminate films?

Laminate films are available in a several different thicknesses, from very thin to quite rigid. The thickness of a laminate is typically expressed in "mils". One mil is equivalent to one thousandths of an inch or .001". The most common thicknesses used for laminating print materials include…

1.5 mil (.0015") - the thinnest and most flexible laminate, 1.5 mil is most commonly used on projects made from cardstock, such as postcards, business cards, presentation folders, or book covers. This is because the cardstock itself is fairly rigid and the thin laminate is merely applied to add a layer of protection, sheen, or texture.

3 mil (.003") - though it is double the thickness of a 1.5 mil laminate, 3 mil is still considered to be a light-duty laminate. It is flexible enough to be used on bi-folded or tri-folded items, such as restaurant menus, brochures, or instruction guides. Because it is relatively light in weight, it is also a good choice for laminating posters, diagrams, charts and other printed sheets intended for display on a wall.

5 mil (.005") - the 5 mil laminate adds a moderate degree of stiffness to printed pieces and works best for projects that do not fold, such as flat restaurant and bar menus, placemats, and reference sheets. Because it has good structural integrity, it also works well for laminated sheets or card sets that are joined together with a metal ring.

10 mil (.010") - a 10 mil laminate is extremely thick and rigid. As such, it is considered a heavy-duty laminate and offers long-term protection and durability. Since it cannot be creased or folded, it is only used on printed pieces that will remain flat. Also, because a 10 mil laminate is so thick and tough, it is the best choice for print materials that will see frequent use and/or be subject to harsh environments.

5. What types of Print Materials can be Laminated?

A wide variety of print materials can be laminated to enhance their durability and appearance. Here are some common examples…

Business Cards - for a professional and long-lasting impression

Brochures, Flyers, Postcards, Sell Sheets - to add durability and enhance the ink colors

Presentation Folders - for a polished and professional look

Flash Cards and Training/Educational Materials - to protect against wear and ensure longevity

Wall Maps, Posters and Charts - to enhance appearance

Restaurant/Bar Menus and Placemats - to withstand frequent use and make them easier to clean

Memo Boards, Checklists, Schedules - for use with damp-erase or dry-erase markers

Book Covers and Bookmarks - to resist scuffs and wear from frequent handling

Recipe Cards - to shield the ink and paper from spills and stains

Flip Books and Presentation Books - to add rigidity for easier page flipping

6. Are Laminated Prints able to be folded?

The ability to fold a laminated piece depends on the thickness of laminate that was applied. For example, print projects laminated with a 1.5 mil or 3 mil laminate can generally be made with a fold, but the fold line should be pre-scored for best results.

However, projects made with 5 mil or 10 mil laminates are not suitable for folding. If using these thicker laminates, consider using spiral coil or wire-o binding to join separate page sections instead of using folds to create the sections.

7. Can the Lamination be removed?

Because commercially applied laminates are bonded so tightly to the paper substrate, it is nearly impossible to remove the plastic film without causing damage to the underlying print material.

Trying to remove the laminate will risk tearing the paper and/or leaving behind adhesive residue. Hence, if some non-laminated copies are also needed, they will need to be ordered as such.

8. How much does Lamination cost?

Lamination adds value to a printed piece by improving its appearance, durability, and longevity. As far as the cost is concerned, that will depend on the thickness of the laminate being applied as well as the size of the prints being laminated.

The order quantity also has a major impact, as the unit cost goes down considerably as the order quantity goes up.

Another factor that influences the cost is whether the laminate will have a sealed edge or be cut flush with the edge of the printed substrate. Both options are very affordable, however, a flush cut edge will cost slightly less than a sealed edge.

The reason a sealed-edge laminate costs a little more is due to an extra production step. A sealed edge laminate first requires the printed piece to be trimmed to size and then bonded between the two sheets of laminate. The laminate, being slightly larger than the printed piece, is then trimmed to its desired size. Conversely, a flush cut laminate and the paper substrate are cut together in one step.

Laminated Printing is one of Color Vision's Specialties

Color Vision has been providing quality printing and laminating services for over 40 years. As a full-service provider, we offer just about every type of laminate option you could need. Best of all, our prices for laminated printing are among the lowest you will find anywhere.

So if you are looking for affordable printing and laminating services, be sure to give us a call at 800-543-6299 to discuss your project. Or, use our simple Quote Request form to send us your specifications and will be happy to email a custom quote to you.

As always, we hope to hear from you soon and look forward to assisting with your printing and laminating needs!