11 Aug Document Laminating 101
Document lamination is the process of encasing a paper document in clear plastic. This process protects the paper, makes it more durable and rigid, and reduces the risk of damage like stains, rips, and tears. Lamination has been a popular process since it was invented in the early 1900s, and has been used throughout different industries to protect archival documents, photographs, and even film reels and negatives. Even now, businesses use document lamination in their day-to-day activities.
Using a Laminating Machine
Many companies have a small, portable laminating machine that allows them to laminate sheets of paper up to 11×17 inches. For larger document lamination, you need to use an outside company or purchase a very expensive machine. There are four primary types of laminating machines:
- Roll Laminators – A roll laminator is designed to laminate larger documents and graphics, and mount them on foam board. The machine uses two rolls of laminating film. As these rolls are uncoiled, a document is placed between them and travels through the rollers. The two pieces of laminate are warmed and melted, and as they cool and harden, they form a protective seal between the document and the laminate.
- Cold Laminators – A cold laminator or pressure sensitive laminator doesn’t use heat during the lamination process. These laminators are used when a document is too delicate to withstand heat, such as in an archival process. The laminating machine applies a film using high pressure rollers and doesn’t require electricity to function.
- Wide-format Laminators – A wide-format laminator is used for large-scale prints and signs up to 65″. They are meant for heavy-duty daily use for companies that produce large signs, banners, and displays. They are expensive, so most companies outsource their business lamination needs to a print company if they need large-format lamination.
Determining the Type of Lamination You Need
In order to determine what type of lamination you need, consider your documents. If they are historic or fragile, you should use a cold laminator. If you need rigid, inflexible lamination for signs or banners, you should choose a roll laminator. If you’re laminating materials that will be used for under a year or that don’t need heavy-duty lamination, you can purchase a pouch laminator. If you’re laminating signs or banners, you’ll need a wide-format laminator. Next, consider the frequency with which you’ll use your laminator. If you only have occasional, casual laminating needs, you can choose a smaller pouch laminator. If you need to laminate large-format documents but can’t afford to purchase a wide-format laminator, you can find a printing company that offers the service.
At Reproductions Inc., we offer professional mounting and lamination services in Southern Arizona to businesses of all sizes. To learn more, call us today at (520) 355-4902 or request a quote online.