Laminates come in a huge array of shapes, sizes, and finishes. This can make it a little tricky to decide which you should opt for. At Foiling Services, we give clients a lot of help so they can be confident they make the right choice. We look at everything, including the amount of protection they want and what they like in terms of aesthetics. Then we can ensure they get the right lamination services.
Choosing the thickness of the laminate is very important. You’ll see a huge array of different options, from 1mil up to 10mil and bigger in some cases. You need to be careful here to ensure you are clear and specify the thickness of the laminate. Keep in mind that mil here does not mean millimetres; instead 1mil is 0.001 of an inch.
Why does thickness matter?
The thickness is important for many reasons. For starters it will determine the level of protection you get. The thicker the laminate, the more protection the substrate will have. The thickness also determines the impact resistance. A thin laminate will be easy to pierce or damage. The thicker it gets, the harder it is to do this.
The thickness also matters because it will determine the flexibility of the final materials. Laminates get stiffer as they get thicker. So, if you want something like a cover where you want to have some give, thinner laminates are better. On the other hand, if it is something like a composite door, you may want a thicker film.
Standard sizes
1.5mil
This is probably the most common thickness. It is relatively thin and is not very rigid. As a result it is the option most people choose from laminating things like business cards and other print materials that are heavy paper or card. It is also one of the cheapest laminates.
3mil
The 3mil provides more rigidity than the 1.5mil film. As a result it is a popular option for things like restaurant menus that need to be slightly stiffer.
5mil
This laminate is the most popular choice for items that need extra protection and rigidity because they will be handled often. Good examples include instruction manuals.
10mil
When the film gets to this kind of thickness, it has very little flexibility. As a result, the items are unlikely to be foldable anymore. It is a tough laminate that is perfect for materials that will be exposed to dirt and moisture.
Lamination services
At Foiling Services we work with a huge range of different laminates. As a result we can cater for any needs and advise our clients about which would be the best for them. We also offer helpful reminders including considering that thicker laminates may create sharp corners that need to be rounded.
If you would like to talk to us about lamination services, please get in touch. We can guide you so your products are perfect.