The following recommendations are for general practice relating to 1-sided lamination and wrinkles. Every application is different and some instances may require an alternate solution.
Verify Your Paper Grain
The second number in the paper size indicates the dimension of the long grain. For example, if the paper is labeled 12”x18” it means it is long grain. The grain runs parallel with the long dimension, ie. if the paper is labeled 18”x12”, it is short grain.
Feed the Grain Dimension Parallel to the Roller
For lamination, it is normally recommended to feed the dimension that is parallel to the hot roller. For example, if the paper is 12” x 18”, the long grain should be fed the 18” side or landscape and the short grain version (18” x 12”) fed the 12” side (portrait). Feeding the paper the opposite grain (perpendicular to the roller) increases your chance of wrinkles.
What Width of Lamination Film to Order
If you are running paper with the grain parallel to the roller (as recommended) order the film ½” narrower than the sheet for 1-sided lamination.
If you are running the paper grain perpendicular to the roller for 1-sided lamination, the film needs to be as wide as the paper for PET, OPP or Nylon, especially on thin paper. If the lamination is too narrow and 1/4” or more of paper is exposed on either side of the film, the rollers drive the paper to the middle which creates a wrinkle down the center of the sheet.
