Signage Education – Lamination of Prints

Many times our customers have prints that need to be protected from scratches and UV (indoor and outdoor).  We discuss various options with types of lamination. They boil down to three methods.  Traditional heat lamination (Thermal) is a combination of heat and pressure to apply lamination films.  The heat melts the adhesive on on-heat sensitive surfaces.  They are very useful for outdoor signage.  The next method is Cold lamination.  This is more of a traditional method using the pressure sensitive adhesive films to the print.  We generally offer three types of lamination surfaces, Matte lamination, Gloss lamination, and Trade Show lamination.  The lamination provides protection from scratches and is excellent UV protection.  Liquid Lamination puts a thin coat of UV curable liquid on the object.  Remember, that indoor UV protection is often overlooked and will fade sometimes faster than outdoor signage.  We always talk about the enviornment that the print will be used and make the recommendation best for that print job. Don’t forget, if people can touch it, they probably will!  Protect it from humans, too!