Using Cold Lamination Film With A Thermal Laminator

Hot laminating hot laminating often called thermal laminating is very common.

Using cold lamination film with a thermal laminator.

At the same time a laminating machine distributes more pressure more evenly. Cold laminating films have a more aggressive adhesive that can be applied with pressure instead of heat. Cold roll and tape laminating are alternatives to thermal laminating that require no heat to activate the adhesive. Low melt films have heat activated adhesives that can applied at 185 to 195 degrees.

This laminating method uses laminating rolls or pouches that are coated on one side with thermally activated glue. The downside to hot laminators is that some items for example some photographs can not handle the heat required to apply the lamination. Every laminator needs a certain amount of resistance in the unwinding of the supply rolls so that the film lays flat as it goes into the nib of the laminating rollers. Hot lamination is the most common and durable lamination method and is generally preferred over cold lamination.

That s where the cold setting on your machine comes in handy. Technically when using a cold pouch you don t need a machine. Something you absolutely must think about before getting a laminator is what you plan on laminating. Hot laminators use a heat activated adhesive that is heated as it passes through the laminator.

Once heat is applied the glue melts much like a hot glue gun. You can seal a document with your hand a ruler or credit card. Over laminate film is usually between about 24 and 100 microns in thickness. Precision top quality construction prevents wrinkles and provides a perfect edge seal resulting in a professional finish.

What you re going to be laminating. Thinner film needs less tension thicker film needs more. No warm up time necessary. There s a choice of cold heat assist and thermal adhesives for laminates.

Also respect the laminating temperature of 40 c to avoid wrinkling due to damp materials during the laminating process. Lamination film is available to serve a variety of purposes often a mixture of protection and enhanced appearance. Heat along with pressure coats the laminating film to documents pictures and more. Heat assist films have pressure sensitive adhesives psas and liners and are applied with hot roll laminators at 185 to 195 degrees.

So going with the cold machine could end up costing you a bit more in the long run. Similar to using standard adhesive tape to cover your document cold lamination is ideal when the precision quality of a thermal heat laminator is not necessary or when the material you are using is not suited for the heat of thermal lamination.