What types of specialty laminating films are available today?
- Details
- Category: Laminating machine, laminator
- Published on Tuesday, 02 April 2013 15:08
- Hits: 3287
What types of specialty laminating films are available today?
Besides clear laminating films, there are a variety of specialty films that can be laminated for covers and other applications. Metallized films in gold and silver as well as other colors are available, and holographic films are now becoming more popular in many patterns. Most often, these films are then over-printed or even foil stamped once they are applied. There also are iridescent films that have unique color shifting abilities and are translucent, so they can be applied over printed graphics.
What types of tests should be performed to check film adhesion?
- Details
- Category: Laminating machine, laminator
- Published on Tuesday, 02 April 2013 15:10
- Hits: 3314
Because there can be slight differences between different lot numbers of a roll of film or potential changes in adhesion properties after a splice, it is recommended to perform standard tests on the adhesion of the laminated film. The following are a few recommended tests:
The Tear Test
This is done by pulling the corner of the film away from the edge of the paper stock once it has cooled. Watch for the lamination pulling at the fiber of the paper. On some coated stocks, the laminate will pull ink directly from the sheet.
The Crease Test
This test is done by simply folding the laminated sheet and checking the adhesion in the crease. Look for any signs of the film releasing from the stock.
The Crush Test
This test is done by crumpling a laminated test sheet and then checking the adhesion in the same fashion as the crease test.