Why Should You Laminate Your Prints?

Giving your digital prints the best start in life often requires the decision to laminate them, but sometimes we forget how this process can help.

Here's a quick reminder of the reasons to decide to laminate and also a few handy hints thrown into the bargain...

Benefits of laminating...

UV protection
Laminating your prints prevents media deterioration and colour fade caused by sunlight and environmental pollution. Different lamination films offer different levels of protection, so you may need to do some researchh into the best suitable film for your job.

Finish enhancement
Depending on the digital media and inks used, lamination can add further vibrancy to the colours in your prints. There are also a number of special effect films available, such as sand, linen, leather and canvas which can add an extra element to your prints (such as using sand lamination film for floor graphics, which will add a slight non-slip characteristic).

Abrasion protection
One of the main reasons to laminate - it offers added protection from scrapes and scratches.

Easier graphic installation
After lamination of digital prints, the additional thickness often makes your prints easier to handle and install. This is particularly true of vehicle graphics.

Choosing the right product...
Now the reasons to laminate are covered, now it's just down to using the right product for the job.

There are a wide range of lamination films available on the market which are each ideal for different applications. As an example, the table below shows matched lamination systems that will give the best results for your digital prints. Ask your supplier to advise on matched systems for the media you use.



Laminating Tips

1. Allow your inks to dry for 24 hours before laminating (some inks may require longer). Delamination and blistering can occur if inks are not allowed to completely dry. If they are tacky to the touch, they're not ready!

2. Ensure you use the correct roller temperature and speed when laminating your prints, as failure to do so can cause silvering of your media and poor adhesion.

3. Always laminate in a clean, dry environment.

4. Allow your laminated print to lay flat for a minimum of 2 hours before trimming or rolling. Ideally this curing time should be closer to 24 hours.