What is lamination
Lamination bonds plastic film to one or both sides of a printed sheet. In its full form (encapsulation), the film extends beyond the edges of the sheet and seals around all sides, creating a waterproof, tear-resistant surface.
Film gauges range from thin (80 micron) for flexibility through to heavy (250 micron and above) for rigid applications. Thicker film creates a stiffer, more durable result.
Lamination versus celloglaze
Celloglaze applies a thin film to one side of a sheet for surface protection and finish. Lamination typically refers to heavier-gauge film, encapsulation (sealing both sides), or applications where the piece needs to survive outdoor exposure, heavy handling or wet environments.
If you need a surface finish on a business card or book cover, celloglaze is the standard method. If you need a waterproof menu, an outdoor sign face, a durable ID card or a floor graphic that withstands foot traffic, lamination is the right process.
When to use lamination
Common applications include restaurant menus, outdoor signage faces, retail shelf strips, ID and membership cards, instruction cards, floor graphics and vehicle graphics overlaminates.
Lamination is also used to create rigid panels by bonding printed sheets to board substrates. This is common in display suite fit-outs, exhibition panels and POS displays.
Film types
Gloss, matt, silk, anti-graffiti and anti-scuff films are available. Anti-graffiti laminate resists permanent marker and spray paint, making it suitable for public signage. Anti-scuff laminate withstands heavy handling without showing marks.
How we produce lamination
Sheets or rolls are fed through our roll-to-roll laminator. For encapsulation, film is applied to both sides and sealed at the edges. For overlamination (one side only), the film is bonded and trimmed flush.
We laminate both sheetfed and wide-format output in-house. This means a printed poster, banner or sign can move directly from printing to lamination without leaving the building.
Need lamination for a durable or outdoor application? Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. UV-resistant lamination film protects against sun fading and weather exposure. We use outdoor-rated laminates for signage and display applications.
Yes. Our roll-to-roll laminator handles wide-format output up to the full width of our print capability.
Gloss lamination deepens and saturates colours. Matt lamination slightly reduces contrast. The effect is similar to celloglaze but more pronounced with heavier film.