| Since their inception in the early 1990's, integrated | | | | Through extensive research and development, |
| forms have used various laminates. Originally the | | | | polyester is now used to form an Integrated Card and |
| concept was to place a patch of glue on the back of | | | | have laser compatible top coatings. This is achieved as |
| a printed form and then die cut straight through the | | | | some have a water based hot air dried coating whilst |
| paper making what was called a "sesam" label - which | | | | others use a U.V. cure which creates a varnish coating |
| is what we now call an Integrated Label. | | | | on the surface of the plastic which allows it to be |
| Nowadays, the product differs greatly in that water | | | | lasered. |
| based acrylic adhesives or hot melt glue are used. The | | | | The main advantage of an integrated product over an |
| water based substance is more environmentally | | | | applied version is normally the cost but the fact that |
| friendly and has the advantage of having glue to every | | | | the colour match between form and card / label is |
| edge of the patch which reduces the risk of the | | | | perfect as they come from the same process is a |
| adhesive seeping out onto the back of the form and | | | | major benefit. Integrated forms are much easier to |
| potentially into the laser printer. The hot melt product is | | | | laser too as it offers a much flatter surface than an |
| a thermo plastic which is melted onto the product and | | | | applied product. |
| has a dry edge on each side or on all sides of the | | | | Over the last 10 years, the integrated market has |
| patch which has been known to detach itself in | | | | gained much momentum and provides many solutions |
| printers. The water based product has the advantage | | | | to the picking and packing element of business right up |
| of being able to use a mild spirit to remove any | | | | to full colour direct mailings. In all honesty, if you order |
| contamination in the printer thus reducing any potential | | | | just about anything from the internet or perhaps take |
| financial risk and is generally more aggressive as the | | | | out a membership of almost any kind; the chances are |
| adhesive itself can migrate into the substrate to which | | | | that you will receive an integrated form in the post |
| it is applied. | | | | accompanying your purchase or membership. |