What is Lamination?
Lamination is undoubtably one of the longest standing print finishing methods. It’s a classic but effective form of finishing that still holds originality thanks to the range of laminates available on the market today.
Depending on your project or campaign goals, various laminates can be used to provide protection, durability, and enhance the appearance of your print. In turn, elevating its overall quality.
Here are a range of laminates we work with at Chroma.
Gloss Laminate
Gloss laminate is a classic form of lamination designed to give print a shiny print finish.
It is a great choice of laminate for making marketing material such as Brochures, Leaflets, Magazines, and Indoor displays. Helping you to stand out from your competitors.
Matte Laminate
Over the past 2 to 3 years the use of matte lamination has become more popular. Especially amongst designers where the product or service is of higher value.
Matte laminate creates a non-reflective and smooth finish to your print. It is commonly used to add a sleek and muted appearance to printed materials, such as Brochures and Packaging.
Matte laminate provides a sophisticated, luxurious look and feel. It is ideal for designs where a subtle and elegant finish is desired. Additionally, it offers protection against scratches, fingerprints, and other wear and tear.
Soft-Touch Laminate
Soft Touch Laminate is a matte finish where the laminate has a ‘velvety’ texture. The ‘soft touch’ nature offers a unique, tactile finish to your printed items.
Soft Touch Laminate is often used to offer an upscaled finish. It will elevate the quality of your print and contribute to a memorable user experience. Certainly the lamination of choice if you are looking for something a little more out of the ordinary.
Anti-Scuff Laminate
Anti-Scuff Laminate is a robust matte finish that gives a layer of protection to your print, shielding it from scratches and marks. A solid choice of laminate for print that will be subject to handling and transportation, allowing the print to maintain its original visual quality.
It is commonly used in print where preserving the quality of the printed surface is crucial. Also, a preferred choice when you print solid colours, especially with the darker solid colours where scratching is more prone to being more visible.
Laminate sustainability
Due to the use of plastics in the laminate film, it means it can’t be recycled. During the recycling process, paper is shredded but the plastic lamination is not separated. This results in contamination. If you can remove the laminate from the paper, the paper becomes eligible for recycling.
Although it’s not completely recyclable, steps forward are always being taken in trying to produce a fully recyclable, eco-friendly, and sustainable laminate.
Large-Format Laminate
So far, we’ve only touched on small-format print and laminates that can be used on paper stocks. Lamination can also be used in Large-Format situations.
Large-Format lamination can be applied to virtually any material printed on here at Chroma, this includes Dibond, Acrylic, Foamex, E Flute and B Flute, and Correx.
Unfortunately, once again this laminate isn’t recyclable unless you fully remove it from the material its adhered to. You can have these materials laminated in both Gloss and Matte Laminate finished.
