Lamination\nis used in a wide variety of print projects and is ideal for items constantly\nbeing handled. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Restaurant menu printing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Price lists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maps<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Book printing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bookmarks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Business and membership cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Marketing materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Print catalog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Lamination also helps protect printed pieces that get used in dirty or damp environments. These can include machinery warnings, operating instructions, safety signage, reusable tags, and more. In these environments, the plastic film often extends beyond the edge of the printed piece so that both layers can bond with each other. This provides a tight seal that prevents dirt, moisture and other contaminants from getting inside. With laminate material finishes, the reflective coating can be the difference between a smooth and soft-to-touch print with a long shelf life and one that quickly collects dust, dirt, and scratches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\nthe printing world, lamination can be applied by heat or adhesion. Most\nprinting companies prefer using heat because it produces a stronger, more\ndurable bond. Lamination film thickness is typically measured in \u201cmils,\u201d which\nare not the same as millimeters. A mil equals one-thousandth of an inch, or .001\u201d.\nThe amount of thickness needed for a printed piece depends on the environment\nit will be used in and the desired rigidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/BannerBusinessCards-1024x256.png?resize=1024%2C256&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMatte and gloss: the most\npopular lamination choices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"2](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/clear_vs_matte_lam-remove-bright.png?ssl=1\")
The magazine on the left high shine due to the gloss lamination. While the magazine on the right has a velvet looking texture due to matte lamination.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n There are three basic types of lamination in print pieces: matte, gloss and silk. Of these, matte and gloss are the most popular. In fact, the choice between matte vs. gloss lamination can be one of the most important decisions in a print project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matte laminating produces an elegant, sophisticated finish. It also provides a softer, more natural look that makes it easier to read the printed piece. Matte lamination has a \u201cvelvety\u201d texture that makes it pleasant to handle. It also softens the contrast of darker colors so that they don\u2019t stand out quite as much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gloss\nlamination produces a shiny, glass-like appearance that enhances the color and\nvibrancy of the ink on a page. It is commonly used for business applications\nsuch as marketing and promotional pieces. It also works well as a covering for\nbound information in the form of books, reports and training materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nOrder From Printivity.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBoth\nmatte and gloss lamination provide many important benefits for printed\nmaterials. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Enhanced durability.<\/strong> Laminated print pieces can withstand\nhigh levels of daily use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Damage protection.<\/strong> Lamination protects against damage from\nfingerprints, liquid spills, stains, smudges, grease, dirt, grime, and much\nmore. When the laminate gets soiled, it is easy to clean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improved appearance.<\/strong> Enhanced ink colors of the printed\npiece create a more professional look. The added strength and stiffness of the\nlaminated item give the impression of better quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Easy to read.<\/strong> Because it is completely transparent,\nlamination doesn\u2019t impair or blemish the printing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Affordable.<\/strong> Lamination is reasonably priced and can\nactually save money by extending the life of print pieces and avoiding the need\nto reprint damaged ones. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When to use matte vs. gloss lamination<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The\nchoice between matte vs. gloss lamination depends on the printed piece and how\nyou plan to use it. Both types provide a\nstrong, clear covering that makes the text and graphics completely visible to\nthe reader. However, keep in mind that matte absorbs light while gloss reflects\nit. This makes a big difference in the appearance of the printed piece and the\nimpact it has on people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choose matte laminate paper when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The\nprinted piece will be situated underneath direct lighting (i.e., store signage). The\nmatte finish helps deflect any glare, making the piece easier to read at any\nangle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The\nprinted piece doesn\u2019t get handled very often. Matte laminates can easily be\nscratched or scuffed by excessive use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You\nwant a modern, sophisticated look. Matte makes a great first impression.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The\nprinted piece contains subdued color tones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Choose gloss-laminate paper when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The printed piece is an item that gets handled a lot every day. Gloss provides a higher level of protection than matte and is easier to clean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You want the piece to make a strong visual impact. With gloss lamination, the colors seem to jump off the page. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoiding glare is not a problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Price is an issue? Gloss laminate costs less than matte.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Other design considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Matte\nvs. gloss laminate is just one of many decisions to be made during the\nlaminating process. Other considerations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Laminate thickness.<\/strong> The more rigid the print piece needs to be, the thicker the laminate. On the other hand, pieces that need to be flexible and foldable should have a thickness of 3 mil or less. Printivity also offers a single sided, 1.3 mil lamination that is used to protect booklet covers and mini posters<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Type of edging.<\/strong> If the environment contains oil, grease, liquids or other contaminants, choose a sealed edge. Both sides of the laminate extend beyond the edge so that the bond creates a seal to prevent contaminates from contacting the laminate print piece. Flush edges can be used when potential contamination is not a problem. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Corner shape.<\/strong> The choice here is square vs. rounded. With thick laminate, a square corner can become sharp, creating a safety hazard. Thick square corners are not a good choice for materials that get handled a lot, especially those handled by children. In general, rounded corners are safer and provide a softer look and feel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/insights.printivity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/lamination-machine-1-scaled-1024x683.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAdd the sense of Soft Touch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most lamination appeals to a sense of sight; gloss is extra shine, matte is a dull finish. When comparing matte vs soft touch, both have the same distinctive look. However, it adds extra depth that cannot be reached with other laminations. Soft touch, sometimes called velvet lamination, goes one step further and appeals to a consumer\u2019s sense of touch. The smooth velvet feel and soft touch finish of this lamination instantly create a luxurious experience for anyone holding your product.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soft touch lamination offers more than visual and textual benefits to your print materials. Adding lamination is critical for keeping your company’s marketing materials looking new and professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Soft velvet texture<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fingerprint resistant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Scratch and scuff-resistant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Premium finish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ready to order?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Be sure to consider lamination for your next print project. For just a little bit more money, you can protect your print piece against the elements while giving it a more polished professional look. If you have any questions about lamination, or would like a custom quote, contact our customer service representatives at 1-877-649-5463<\/a> or service@printivity.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"Stack](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/PhotoRetouch_SS_pg47_v3-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
Shop Saddle Stitch Booklets at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/presentation-folders-pdp.jpg?ssl=1\")
Shop Folders at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Postcards_Transparent.png?ssl=1\")
Shop Postcards at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
- Type of edging.<\/strong> If the environment contains oil, grease, liquids or other contaminants, choose a sealed edge. Both sides of the laminate extend beyond the edge so that the bond creates a seal to prevent contaminates from contacting the laminate print piece. Flush edges can be used when potential contamination is not a problem. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Laminate thickness.<\/strong> The more rigid the print piece needs to be, the thicker the laminate. On the other hand, pieces that need to be flexible and foldable should have a thickness of 3 mil or less. Printivity also offers a single sided, 1.3 mil lamination that is used to protect booklet covers and mini posters<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Damage protection.<\/strong> Lamination protects against damage from\nfingerprints, liquid spills, stains, smudges, grease, dirt, grime, and much\nmore. When the laminate gets soiled, it is easy to clean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n