Month: September 2016

Understanding Laminate Film Thickness

Laminate film thickness is measured in mils (thousandth of an inch). The higher the mil, the thicker and more rigid the finished piece will be. To determine the best laminating film for your project, keep in mind these few points: How frequently will the finished piece be handled? Items that will not be handled frequently or are only needed for a temporary project can be laminated using a thinner thickness. A thicker film is needed for items that are handled frequently or will be used in a rougher environment. Does the finished piece need to be flexible or stiff?...

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Roll VS. Shoe Laminators – The Pros & The Cons

When purchasing a two-sided laminating machine, one important consideration is the type of heating system. Many two-sided laminators utilize a Teflon-coated platen heating system, known in the industry as “heat shoes”. This is typically an electrically-heated cylinder-shaped “shoe” with a heating element inside. Laminating film is pulled across these heated areas, at a temperature between 220°F to 300°F, which allows the melting of the adhesive — typically known as EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) — on most common polyester laminate films. Since there is a small gap between the heat source (the shoe) and the bond point (called the nip...

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