Printing and Laminating: What Thickness of Laminate is Best?

A commercial laminator applying plastic film over full color print project

estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Printing and Laminating Services

The application of a clear plastic laminate is an optional finishing technique that can benefit many types of print projects. In addition to providing a layer of protection against dirt and moisture, laminates can also be used to enhance the sheen and texture of printed pieces.

The laminates used for print projects are thin sheets of plastic film. Commercially-applied laminates are fed from large rolls and use heat and pressure to bond the plastic film to printed pieces. A laminate is a very cost-effective option because it extends the life of the printing.

A commercial laminator applying a gloss laminate film — *A commercial laminator applying a gloss laminate to a print project*

What Thickness of Laminate is Best?

Laminates are available in a variety of thicknesses. The thickness of a laminate is measured in "mils." One mil equals .001" (1/1000th of an inch). For example, a 3 mil laminate has a thickness of .003". Likewise, a 10 mil laminate has a thickness of .010".

Some print projects require a thick and heavy-duty laminate whereas other projects have a need for a thin, light-duty laminate. There are also many projects that have a need for a laminate that is somewhere in the medium-duty range.

Which laminate thickness is best for a particular project will depend on several factors, including how the printed pieces will be used, the desired durability and longevity, whether the pieces need to be rigid or flexible, and the monetary budget for the project.

Below is a list of the more popular and readily available laminate thicknesses, including examples of print projects for which each laminate thickness is well suited…

1.5 mil thickness (.0015") -

A 1.5 mil laminate is one of the thinnest films used for printed pieces. It is frequently used on projects made from cardstock, such as business cards, presentation folders, postcards, and book covers. Because cardstock is relatively sturdy by itself, it generally does not need a heavier laminate to add rigidity. Rather, the 1.5 mil laminate is most commonly applied to cardstock projects to add a layer of protection against stains and spills, or to enhance the sheen and texture.

Also, because 1.5 mil laminate is so thin and flexible, it is a good fit for print projects that will be folded, such as brochures, pamphlets, event programs, visitor guides, or self-standing table tents.

Plus, being one of the most economical laminates, the 1.5 mil thickness is a good choice for projects expected to have a relatively short lifespan, such as flyers, sell sheets, temporary signs, quick-start guides, or instruction sheets. The 1.5 mil option is also popular for adding a thin protective layer to product labels.

Three laminated restaurant menus lying on a gold tablecloth — *Many restaurants protect their menus against spills and stains by having a laminate applied at the time of printing*

3 mil thickness (.003") -

A 3 mil laminate strikes a nice balance between flexibility and durability. It has twice the thickness and resilience of a 1.5 mil laminate, but is still considered to be a lighter duty laminate. Because it exhibits some flexibility, it can be used on many of the same projects listed for the 1.5 mil laminate above.

Even though a 3 mil laminate is double the thickness of a 1.5 mil laminate, it still allows for printed pieces to be folded with relative ease. This feature makes the 3 mil laminate suitable for bi-folded or tri-folded restaurant menus.

Also, because it has good resilience but is relatively light in weight, the 3 mil laminate is ideal for maps, posters, diagrams, charts and other printed sheets intended for display on a wall or other vertical surface. In addition, its flexibility still allows for these larger sheets to be rolled up and placed in shipping tubes for transit.

5 mil thickness (.005") -

The 5 mil laminate is a popular thickness that adds a moderate degree of stiffness to printed pieces. As such, it works best for projects that do not require folding, such as placemats or flat restaurant and bar menus. The durability of a 5 mil laminate also makes it an excellent choice for frequently-handled educational materials, such as those used in a classroom setting or training environment.

In addition, the 5 mil laminate is a good thickness for use on flashcards and other types of cards and card sets that are handled repeatedly. Because of its high structural integrity, a 5 mil laminate also works well for cards and sheets that are bound together with a metal ring or ball chain inserted through a punched hole. If desired, metal grommets can be adding for additional reinforcement to the holes.

The 5 mil laminate is also a good choice for bookmarks, such as those printed for use as promotional giveaways. The 5 mil thickness greatly increases the durability of the bookmark, preventing creases and tears from shortening the longevity of the bookmark and its marketing message.

Two rolls of plastic film used for laminating print project — *The laminate films used by commercial laminating machines are fed from large rolls*

10 mil thickness (.010") -

The 10 mil thickness is a serious laminate. Extremely thick and rigid, it is used for projects that need to have the highest level of protection against physical damage as well as contaminants like dirt, grease, and moisture.

Because a 10 mil laminate is so substantial, it cannot be creased or folded. This means it can only be used on printed pieces that will remain flat.

Offering long-term durability, a 10 mil laminate is the preferred choice for print materials subject to rough or frequent handling. It is also excellent for printing intended for use in harsh environments, such as an industrial or outdoor setting. This is because a 10 mil laminate has the density required to withstand rugged conditions, especially those that involve contact with dirt, grease, oil, or liquids.

The toughness of a 10 mil laminate makes it the perfect choice for counter mats, machinery instructions, operational procedures, safety rules, preflight checklists, reference sheets, spiral bound field guides and field manuals, emergency instructions and any other documents that will be subject to rough handling or harsh conditions, as well as any other printed pieces that need to be long lasting.

Where to buy Printing and Laminating Services for a low cost…

Color Vision has been a full-service provider of quality printing and laminating services for decades. Best of all, our pricing is among the lowest you will find for laminated printing. Plus, we offer just about every type of laminate option you could possibly need.

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 upcoming 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!