Standard thermal laminating pouches are great for laminating documents printed on regular paper, but what about heat-sensitive prints or media that is difficult to adhere to? In those cases, low-melt laminating pouches are an excellent solution. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at DIGIKote laminating pouches, which are specifically designed to eliminate the headaches caused by hard-to-laminate documents.

The Basics

DIGIKote laminating pouches are made from the same DIGIKote film that is sold in rolls for wide format laminators. DIGIKote laminating films have a low laminating temperature (approximately 185 degrees – compared to up to 290 degrees for some standard films), which helps to preserve the inks in digitally-printed graphics which degrade when exposed to high heat. They also feature an aggressive adhesive formula designed to stick to a wide range of media. For added protection against fading, DIGIKote films feature patented LIGHTFast technology, which uses UV inhibitors to absorb damaging light wavelengths. As a result, digital prints laminated with DIGIKote laminating film will remain colorful and bold for up to five times longer than uncoated images.

Using a DIGIKote laminating pouch is similar to using a standard thermal laminating pouch, although the temperature setting is lower. Preheat your laminator to the proper temperature, insert your document into the pouch, and feed it through the machine (using a carrier sheet if required by your laminator).

In Review

Laminating is an excellent way to preserve and protect important documents, but not every document can be exposed to the high level of heat required by standard laminating film. Futhermore, some media are difficult for laminating film to adhere to. For these projects, DIGIKote laminating pouches provide an ideal solution – they’re easy to use and highly effective. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling frustrated with the level of adhesion or the digital ink deterioration while using standard laminating pouches, then you’ll definitely want to look into laminating with DIGIKote film.

Many people know about the wide variety of sizes and thicknesses that thermal laminating pouches are available in, but not everyone is aware of the different finishes that are offered. In this post, we’ll explore the unique properties of matte laminating pouches and discuss a few of the most popular uses for them.

The Basics

Like other thermal laminating pouches, matte laminating pouches are designed to work with a pouch laminator. To use a thermal matte laminating pouch, simply place your document within a pouch of the appropriate size and run it through your laminating machine, ensuring that it has reached the proper laminating temperature that corresponds to the thickness of the pouch that you are using. Both matte and glossy laminating pouches are clear, however matte laminating pouches have a non-glare finish. Matte laminating pouches are also more scratch-resistant than glossy pouches, and their delustered surface can be easily written on with pens and permanent markers.

Uses

The unique qualities of matte laminating pouches make them ideal for certain applications and within specific industries. Because they are non-glare, they are the preferred choice for use in high-light environments, such as photography studios or television sets. Their “writeable” finish makes them a great choice for luggage tags and identification cards that are written on after lamination. Since they are more scratch-resistant than their glossy counterparts, matte pouches are an excellent way to protect frequently-handled documents, such as price lists or reference materials.

In Review

Using thermal laminating pouches is one of the easiest and most effective ways to add durability to any document you’re looking to protect. Matte laminating pouches work the same way as glossy pouches and are equal in clarity, but they have a smooth, non-glare finish that makes them resistant to scratches and allows the user to write on them with ease.

Lamination Depot carries a wide selection of matte laminating sheets in varying sizes and thicknesses, as well as matte/clear pouches that feature one side of matte lamination and one side of glossy film.

When referring to laminating pouches, the terms “sticky-back” and “self-adhesive” are often used interchangeably, however they actually correspond to two distinct styles of pouches that have specialized properties. In this post, we’ll discuss both self-adhesive and sticky-back laminating pouches to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two pouch styles.

Self-Adhesive Laminating Pouches

Also called self-sealing, self-laminating, or cold laminating pouches, self-adhesive laminating pouches are made from pressure-sensitive laminating film and do not need heat in order to seal the document. Like laminating with pressure-sensitive roll laminating film, cold pouches do not damage heat-sensitive documents (such as digitally-printed materials). To laminate with self-adhesive pouches, simply remove the backing that lines the adhesive side of the pouch, insert your document, and firmly press the layers together to create a seal. This style of pouch is considerably more expensive than traditional thermal pouches, so if you are looking to laminate large quantities of documents, you may want to consider purchasing a pouch laminating machine to take advantage of the lower pricing for thermal pouches. If you’re only laminating a few documents, laminating as part of a one-time project, or performing lamination in the field (without access to electricity), then self-laminating pouches may be an ideal choice for you.

Sticky-Back Laminating Pouches

Sticky-back laminating pouches are similar to traditional thermal laminating pouches in that they require heat to create a seal around the document. The unique feature of sticky-back laminating pouches is that they have an adhesive backing, which allows the laminated document to be stuck to a folder, bound presentation, signboard, or any other smooth surface. After placing the document within the pouch and running it through your laminator at the proper temperature, simply peel off the release liner on the back of the pouch to expose the adhesive and affix it as desired. Though the cost of the added adhesive backing is reflected in a higher retail price as compared to standard thermal pouches, sticky-back laminating pouches are much less expensive than self-adhesive pouches.

In Review

Though the terms sticky-back and self-adhesive may sound similar, the pouches that they refer to are actually very different. Self-adhesive (cold) laminating pouches use pressure-sensitive adhesive to encapsulate documents without using a thermal laminator. Since they don’t require the use of a thermal laminating machine, these pouches are a great option for small laminating projects or for laminating documents that are heat-sensitive. They require more manual labor and cost considerably more than thermal pouches, so if you plan on laminating a high volume of documents, you’ll definitely want to consider purchasing a machine that would enable you to use thermal laminating pouches. Sticky-back pouches are thermal laminating sleeves that have an adhesive backing, allowing users to affix them to any smooth surface. Like any other thermal lamination pouch, they must be run through a laminator in order to achieve a seal. The added adhesive backing does come at a slightly higher price point compared to standard thermal pouches, but they are still substantially less expensive than self-adhesive pouches.

If you are looking for a laminating pouch that can be sealed without a laminator, then a self-adhesive pouch will fit your needs. If you want to adhere a heat-sealed laminating pouch to a bound presentation or in-store display, then a sticky-back pouch is an excellent option.

Laminating is one of the easiest and most cost effective methods of preserving and protecting important documents.  From menus and pricelists to posters and children’s artwork, laminating has applications in a wide array of businesses and industries. When it comes to laminating film, roll laminating film is the least expensive and most versatile option, but selecting the right rolls for your machine and your specific needs can seem a bit overwhelming. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at roll lamination film and learn about the various styles available on the market today.

The Basics

Most roll laminating film is thermal (requiring heat to achieve a proper seal) and made from polyester, though there are specialty films that utilize other application processes, such as pressure sensitive film, or materials, such as nylon film. When purchasing roll laminating film, there are four important factors to consider: core size, film grade, roll width, and film thickness. There are other variables to keep in mind, such as film finish (including clear and matte varieties) and roll length, however these are less critical than the other factors.

Key Factors

Being aware of the key variables (core size, film grade, roll width, and film thickness) between different roll laminating films will help you avoid purchasing film that is incompatible with your roll laminating machine. The core size corresponds directly to the size of the mandrel that holds the film on the laminator. There are three standard core sizes: 1”, 2-1/4”, and 3”. The size of the core often correlates to the length of the roll, since a longer roll requires a thicker mandrel to support it.

The film grade indicates the quality of the adhesive that is used to affix the laminate to the document. Standard film (also called “school film”) is a low-cost material that is ideal for laminating standard 20lb paper with light ink coverage. Pro-grade film is designed for professional use, with a lower melting temperature and more aggressive adhesive that makes it a good choice for digital or offset printing. Additional film grades are also available on the market, including DIGIKote low melt (which has a reduced melting temperature), SuperStick (which has an increased adhesion strength), pressure sensitive (which uses non-thermal adhesives), and nylon “lay-flat” film (which is designed for single-sided applications), however they are significantly more expensive and are not compatible with all roll laminators.

The roll width represents the width of the laminating film, and is dictated by the size of the machine itself. Rolls are available in standard sizes as narrow as 9” and as wide as 60”. Roll laminators cannot use films that are wider than their specified maximum widths, however they can use rolls that are narrower, which means that you can minimize waste when running smaller documents by purchasing appropriately-sized film rolls.

Like laminating pouches, roll laminating film is sold in a range of thicknesses, as thin as 1.5 mils and as thick as 10 mils. This metric represents the combined thickness of the film and adhesive that makes up a single layer of laminating film. Similar to pouch laminating machines, roll laminators are designed to accommodate specific film thicknesses, so it is important to use only the film that your machine can handle. Attempting to laminate with film that is either too thin or too thick will result in improper adhesion and can potentially damage your machine.

Selecting the Right Film

Roll laminating film is often categorized by film grade and/or core size. Once you’ve navigated to the section that corresponds to the film you’re looking for, you’ll see that each film roll is listed with three measurements (such as 25 in. x 500 ft. x 1 in.). The first number represents the roll width, the second number denotes the roll length, and the final measurement indicates the core size. In the case of the example, the roll width is 25”, the length is 500’, and it has a 1” core size.

In Review

Because of all of the variables involved, there are literally thousands of roll laminating films on the market today. As a result, locating the rolls that work with your machine and are appropriate for the type of laminating that you are doing can seem confusing. Knowing a few key details, namely the core size, film grade, roll width, and film thickness, will make selecting the proper film much easier. Most of this information is listed in the owner’s manual for your machine, or can be located by doing an internet search using the model number of your laminator. Spending the time to learn about your machine will not only save you time in selecting the right film, but will also help you avoid the costly mistake of purchasing film that is not compatible with your machine.

If you’ve ever had trouble finding a laminating pouch to fit your documents, then you’ll love the latest feature available at Lamination Depot! Our new laminating pouch size calculator makes it easier than ever to determine which pouch size is the most appropriate for your document.

Finding your pouch is only two steps away:

• Enter the dimensions of the document that you want to laminate in decimal form
• Click the “Find My Pouch!” button to discover the best pouch size for your document

Click here to see this feature in action!

Laminating is a versatile and inexpensive way to protect and preserve documents of almost any type. With over 300 pre-cut laminating pouch sizes in stock, Lamination Depot has a size to fit practically any laminating need. But what about those specialty projects that aren’t compatible with standard pouch sizes? That’s where our custom pouch manufacturing option can help!

Simply tell us what size, finish and thickness you need, and we’ll manufacture custom pouches to your exact specifications in six to eight weeks. Best of all, the minimum order amount is only $250, making custom laminating pouches an affordable option for nearly every budget.

Getting started on your custom pouch order is easy! Visit our custom laminating pouch page, fill in the specifics for your custom pouches and your contact information, and one of our friendly customer service representatives will contact you with a quote within three business days.

Lamination Depot also carries a full range of trimmers, punches and corner rounders to help you achieve the look of custom pouches for small quantities of non-standard documents using our in-stock laminating pouches.