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PRINTING EFFECTS - LAMINATING

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PDF FILE - LAMINATING - BOX LEARNING EXERCISE
 
PDF FILE - CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE WORKSHEET - HOT AND COLD LAMINATION PROCESSES
 

This also produces a high gloss finish on card and provides good protection against damage as it is normally water proof.
The printed card is placed inside a plastic film/sleeve. It is then placed in the ‘in tray’ of a laminating machine which pulls the card and film through its heater and rollers. The heater warms up the film almost to melting point and the rollers press the film sleeve until it is sealed. When the card reappears in the ‘out tray’, the finished item looks glossy and professional. However, laminating is much more expensive than varnishing but gives more protection to the card.

 
 
 

   

Laminated card is used for items such as menus in a restaurant. A menu will be constantly handled by customers and staff and it is important that it is protected.

 
THE COMMERCIAL LAMINATION PROCESS
 

Commercial lamination takes two forms: Cold Lamination and Hot Lamination. Both processes are similar, as they utilise rollers pressing a layer of polyethylene, against a printed surface. These processes are ideal for printed posters, that need an additional layer of protection.

 
THE HOT LAMINATION PROCESS
 
This process fuses a heat sensitive polyethylene film, to the surface of card. The two layers are fed into a roller press, with the laminate film as the top layer.
The top ‘heated roller’, is lowered on to the card/laminate layers, as they are automatically fed into the roller press.
As the card/laminate feeds through the rollers, the heat form the top roller fuses them together.
 
 
 
 
THE COLD LAMINATION PROCESS
 
This process joins a card layer with a layer of clear polyethylene, which as an adhesive side.
As the card/laminate layers are fed through the ‘cold’ rollers, they are joined permanently, due to the clear adhesive on the polyethylene.
 
 
 
All these posters have being processed through the ‘commercial laminating process’. This means that they are protected against spillages, scratches and light knocks, extending their life cycle.
 
 
 
QUESTIONS:

1. Draw a simple diagram of a laminating machine and explain how it works.

2. When is it a good idea to laminate card - give three examples.

   

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