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More Info
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Contact Info
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1040 Avenue M
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Phone:
(877) 317-1716
(972) 336-0012 (Int'l)
Fax:
(888) 563-6565
(972) 352-2975 (Int'l)
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Now In: Laminating and Mounting - 101
Laminating is not rocket science. It can, however, seem to be an art-form. We believe in Murphy's Law. With that being said, here are a few tips, tools, and definitions pertaining to the laminating and mounting industry; otherwise knows as the finsishing department. As in any case, please find as many different sources for information and compare the ideas. There is no end-all solution since everyone is different. This is why Crayon's are sold in 256 colors. Laminate is no differenct. It is available in a very wide range of styles, each with its own attributes. Deciding on the correct laminate can be difficult. Several things must be considered. What finish do you want? Will this be indoor or outdoor? How thick do I want my finished product to be? Am I trying to cut my cost? Below you will find information explaining the different options available in wide format laminate, what they have to offer, their differences, and other helpful information on lamination.
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Laminate Types |
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Thermal: These films are the least expensive of the three and require relatively high processing temperatures (185 - 240) heats the adhesive releasing it from its solid state allowing to to firmly adhere to the print. Thermal films bond when cooling, meaning it is important to maintain steady, uniform tension on the web after processing. Use of pull rollers or chill bars are often recommended. Thermal lamination is widely used due to its inexpensive price, allowing for low cost printing, but tends to be more difficult to apply then cold laminate.
Cold: Cold laminate, also called PSA films or pressure sensitive laminates, use an adhesive layer and release liner to apply the laminate to the print. As the release liner is separated from the laminate, the laminate is evenly applied to the print
permanently bonding to the print. Cold laminate will adhere to ALMOST any surface, tends to be easier to apply correctly than thermal laminate, and does not require equipment to heat the laminate and may be used for outdoor applications. While the price of cold laminate is higher then thermal laminate, these added benefits make it very popular. Their chemical make up is quite different. Most of our psa products utilize a solvent acrylic adhesive that works well outdoors when coupled with a high-quality calendered or cast vinyl.
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As in any case, please read the operators manual on your laminator prior to attempting any professional finishing job. If in-experienced, don't hesitate to contact one of our associates with questions. 877-317-1716
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