| pect that everyone has an idea of what lamination is | | | | kick up dirt and dust which strike the signs. You should |
| even if you have only seen it in passing. Restaurant | | | | also consider laminates for signs that are frequently |
| menus are a common example. A plastic finish is | | | | taken down and put back up. Real estate signs are a |
| placed over the menu to protect it from food and | | | | perfect example. They can come easily scratched |
| stains. But did you know that you can laminate just | | | | without lamination. The user can also roll the sign up |
| about anything that is flat? If it needs to be protected | | | | after meetings and reuse it without fear of the sign |
| and reused, it is something to consider for lamination. | | | | becoming warn. |
| The laminate also makes the original material stronger | | | | And finally, we like to use laminates because they give |
| and more durable. All of our signs can be laminated, | | | | the sign a nice professional finish. There are two basic |
| but the reasons are varied and not all signs should be | | | | types of finishes that can be achieved from laminate: |
| laminated. | | | | matte and gloss. Matte finishes look a bit granular and |
| A number of our customers have fondly taken to our | | | | are not reflective, but they tend to make colors on the |
| dry erase laminate. They can have engineering plans, | | | | sign more striking and vivid. In contrast, gloss finishes |
| tables, or other diagrams printed on almost any of our | | | | are reflective and tend to make bright colors radiate |
| substrates (for example, PVC or aluminum). Once we | | | | with strong definition. |
| cover them with the dry erase laminate, it allows the | | | | There are two basic types of laminates: hot and cold. |
| users to mark up the signs with dry erase ink which | | | | Hot laminates are placed on signs at approximately |
| can easily be wiped off. It is wonderful for talks and | | | | 220 to 300 degrees F. The process is a little more |
| demonstrations. | | | | expensive than cold laminates, but the laminate lasts a |
| But our primary use for laminates is to protect signs | | | | bit longer. Unfortunately, some inks used in digital |
| and give them longer life expectancy. For example, our | | | | printing will melt under the hot conditions. You also |
| UV inks used in digital printing have a life time of about | | | | cannot use hot laminates on heat sensitive papers. |
| 3 years before they begin to fade without lamination. | | | | Under these conditions, cold laminators are required. |
| But a laminate can give them an additional 2 to 3 | | | | They use pressure sensitive adhesives to secure the |
| years without fading. | | | | lamination film. We also use a spray laminate (cold) to |
| We like to encourage our customers to laminate the | | | | protect signs when cost is an issue. Spray laminates |
| magnetic car signs we produce, because it protects | | | | protect the sign but do not give a gloss finish or make |
| the inks from abrasions – the roads constantly | | | | the material more rigid. |