One big advantage of cold lamination against the traditional hot process is that it would allow applicators to laminate heat-sensitive medias or substrates without affecting the graphics by heat. Inkjet prints and graphics on vinyl medias usually get damaged when laminated using hot lamination method. “In addition to other technical advantages, cold lamination process saves time as hot lamination consumes at least 15 minutes to warm up the machine,” said Rajeev Vig of Fotolaminate, New Delhi. As a matter of fact, he specified cold lamination process as one of the cutting-edge technologies which gives enhanced look, longer life and scratch-free to inkjet graphics.

Cold lamination technology is one of the most sought-after choices for UV-printed outputs used in creating permanent or semi-permanent signages. Arrays of laminates available in the contemporary market are designed to extend both life expectancy and colour integrity of UV printed graphics as well as other high-quality signage prints. On the availability of choices of laminates in the market, Manish Kapoor of Manshiv Movements (India) Ltd mentioned, “We must avoid hot lamination because it creates bubbles and there are varieties of premium pressure-sensitive laminates designed to overcome whatever challenges faced while laminating high-quality printed graphics.”

Diverse materials

“Cold laminating film, also known as laminating tape, uses pressure sensitive adhesives to bind the film to the material being laminated using certain methods like pneumatic, hydraulic or manual,” explained Rajeev Vig adding that they (Fotolaminate) offer a wide range of widths and thicknesses of laminates which can be used to apply on materials such as floor graphics, wall arts, store front displays and other applications.

Talking about the development in the cold lamination technology over the last few years, Deepak Jha of Harpreet Graphics, New Delhi mentioned about choices and options of laminates which are on high demands in the current market. He described, “Matte is a non-reflective finish that has granular look and can make colours of graphics more vivid; luster for sparkling sheen and glare reduction; satin provides a reduced level of glare; and gloss for clear finish can bring out colours and add additional definition and radiance. Concerning the selection of release paper, Deepak suggested to go for standard products, which comes in roll form, to effectively protect the rollers of a laminating machine during lamination process.

Required techniques

“Cold laminating machines are quite user friendly. But there are some fundamental techniques or processes like webbing, tension, selection of release papers and others which operators should know precisely in order to cold laminate a graphic or print in a perfect manner,” explained Rajeev Vig giving an instance on tensioning, “Before tightening up the brakes of a cold laminator on the lower bar, operator should be sure that the printed material is centered within the laminate(s). Then tighten the brakes and there should be enough tension on the material so that it is not easily turned by hand.”

Rajeev Vig detailed that all fundamental knowledge required in cold lamination, such as webbing, tension, etc are available in illustrative forms in every user’s manual being prescribed along with machine. “But we are happy to give proper guidance to our customers through short-term training on different cold lamination processes such as the way to perform webbing,” he added.

Ever since the advent of cold lamination technology, sign makers find advantages to achieve in this technology to give enhanced look and longer life span to any printed signage graphic.