Laminated printing is where you have printed pieces that have a clear plastic film bonded to them. The laminate offers protection against moisture and stains. At the same time, it increases durability and strength. Moreover, it can add vibrancy and sheen to ink colours. Lamination makes documentation, packaging, and marketing materials look and feel more professional. So, laminating services are a great investment.
Film thickness
The clear plastic films to laminate print media can come in many thicknesses. Some are flexible and thin, with others having more rigidity. The film gets measured using mil thicknesses. One mil equals .001″ or 1/1000ths of an inch. So, a lamination film with 1.5mil would be .0015″ thick. What’s more, since your printing is generally going to be sandwiched between two bits of laminate, a 1.5mil laminate is going to the printed piece’s thickness by 3mil. Similarly, a 10mil laminate will increase thickness by 20 mil.
Essentially, the sturdier you want your final product to be, the thicker the laminate you’d select. Although, if you’re going to fold it, it’s normally preferable to utilise a laminate film thickness of 3mil or under. As you might expect, folding becomes trickier as the laminate thickness goes up. It can cause issues.
We’re now going to list some common laminating film thicknesses and explain uses for every size.
1.5mil
What we have here is a relatively thin laminate. Thus, it doesn’t add a whole lot of rigidity to the printed piece. This is also a cost efficient choice for when you are applying laminate to print materials made of card stock or heavy paper. Examples would be presentation folders, flash card sets, and business cards. In addition, with this being a less expensive option, it works for projects serving temporary purposes. Examples here would be a limited-time holiday restaurant menu and a route map for a walk-a-thon. The flexible thickness works for laminating decals and labels too. Contact us if you need first class laminating services.
3mil
The thickness of the film here offers enough protection. However, it is still flexible and thin enough to let you fold. As a result, 3mil laminate comes in handy for restaurant menus. Think about the popular bi-fold and tri-fold designs. The film also works well for the pages of a flip book or manual, maps, and wall posters.
5mil
Next we have a laminate that offers moderate sturdiness to print materials. At the same time, it holds up to regular usage. In some cases, it’s possible to score and fold it. Yet, the laminate’s thickness can yield a “spring open” effect. Saying this, the thickness is an excellent choice for flat pieces that people handle often. Event passes, bookmarks, and instructional materials are good examples.
10mil
What we’re working with here is a serious laminate. There’s outstanding protection and rigidity. Pieces laminated using this film aren’t easily creased or bendable. So, a 10mil laminate is often best on reusable tags, identification badges and cards, and reference sheets. Furthermore, due to its superior toughness, the film is the recommendation for any pieces you will use in greasy, damp, or dirty settings.
We understand laminating services
At Foiling Services, we have done all we can in pursuit of becoming a leading authority on lamination. We understand how best to provide solutions. Our team starts by understanding the properties of the item they are laminating. From there, they can determine the best approach to take, including film thickness.
We can arrange laminating for a diverse array of needs, from packaging to flooring. So, please let us know if our work could be of use to you.