Today, with the continuous development of technology, different methods and conveniences are emerging in many areas. Sometimes even an emerging technology changes the whole known system and makes things go faster. The laminating machine, which is used in many sectors, is among the devices that can be shown as an example of this situation. Lamination, which is mostly used in textile and printing areas, is very important in small details in daily life.
Below you can find step-by-step everything you wonder about the lamination process, which is used to create durable, robust and useful products and visually improve the products.
What is Lamination?
Lamination, which comes from the Latin word “lamina”, literally means layer. The lamination process is the process of making the product as stable as possible and increasing the efficiency before it is delivered to the consumer. This reinforcement is achieved by laminating the product. During the lamination process, many different materials and technical processes such as heat and press are used. Thus, a single material emerges. The product that emerges after the process becomes layered within itself. Each layer makes the product more durable while at the same time making it look more pleasing. But when the process is finished, the product appears as a single layer and reaches a very solid structure. The products obtained by the application of this process are called laminated.
The number of areas and products where lamination is used is quite high. But there are a few main sectors where it is widely used. These; textile, furniture and printing. It is used in the textile industry to produce strong waterproof products. Bags, belts, outerwear, shoes and upholstery fabrics become stronger with the laminated process. In the field of furniture, generally chipboard and so on. It is preferred to strengthen the materials. In addition, many of the parquet types come out with the laminated process.
How is Lamination Process Applied?
- Although different methods are used during the lamination process, the basic principle is the same process. The difference is due to the product line and the size and raw material of the combined materials.
- The transactions are divided into two groups as the main title. These; coating or joining process. The devices and machines used for these two processes differ.
- Similar materials are used during the joining process. Materials of the same physical shape and size are strongly bonded together with the necessary adhesives. Highly effective printing laminators combine two or more products into a single product, resulting in a better image. In addition, the product that emerges after the process is more durable than the main product.
- In the coating process, mostly different materials are brought together. The main material is usually in the middle part. Top, periphery and sides of the main material are laminated separately or simultaneously. Instead of adhesive products, this method uses more heat and results in more permanent results.
What is Paper Lamination, In Which Sectors Is It Used?
Paper lamination, which is widely used in the field of printing, is a process whose main material is paper and is mostly applied in the form of surface coating. It is done at the last stage after the other printing processes are completed and no printing is done on it. The methods and materials used in this process on books, magazines, bookmarks, business cards and many other products are different. The main types are:
- Cellophane: It is one of the most common types. It is applied as both matte and glossy. Paper is covered with polyurethane material as application material.
- UV Lacquer: UV rays are used in this application method. The opacity and gloss level can be adjusted from the highest levels to the lowest levels. It is preferred because it is practical and diverse.
- Varnish: This application, which has two types as synthetic and cellulosic, is generally done with offset machines. Since it is oil-based, it provides strong protection.
Apart from these processes, the lamination process is carried out so that documents such as business cards, IDs and certificates reach a harder plastic/PVC-like structure. There are two methods of this process:
- Hot Lamination: This process is generally applied in the form of simultaneous processing of both the front and back sides of the paper. For this reason, it is preferred in single-piece products. The paper material is placed between two strip materials and put into the laminating machine for hot processing. A permanent and strong product emerges with the machine that prints out as a single piece.
- Cold Lamination: It is a process made on one side of the papers. Since the ink on printed papers is sensitive, this method is very useful for such products. After the paper surface is covered with water-based adhesive, the process is carried out with cellophane.
What Does Lamination Film and Lamination Machine Do?
Two main parts are needed to laminate any product. These; laminating film and laminator. Lamination film or paper is actually the same product and we have explained its usage areas in detail above. So, what does the laminator do?
Laminating device is the general name given to the machines that laminate and combine layers of different materials. It is possible to find devices of many different sizes and shapes. Large and industrial ones of these products are called laminating machines, and small and medium-sized ones are called devices. When buying a laminator or a laminating machine, it will be useful to pay attention to the following issues:
- As with every product, when buying a laminating machine, you must first decide in which area you will use it. If you have a small to medium business, a laminator will do the trick. For a larger and industrial area, a laminating machine will be the right choice.
- To choose, you need to know the difference between a powerful machine and devices that do hot or cold applications. Laminating press machines are used to laminate harder materials such as wood and metal, unlike paper. It is suitable for professional workshops as it is a large machine. If you are not going to do such operations, you do not need to buy such a large machine.
- It will be useful to check the service network and spare parts status of the machine you will buy. Because brands that offer quick solutions in case of possible malfunctions prevent your work from being disrupted.
