Laminations & Coating are generally used to finish a printed piece or object. There are usually applied as a protective covering to enhance the natural appearance and improve the durability of a printed surface. Choosing the proper lamination and coating solution for your boxes and packaging can be really hard, especially if you don’t have a decent knowledge of lamination and coatings. Numerous types of box laminations and coatings are available, and each can give you a different kind of look in addition to giving great protection to your printed material. There are several laminations and coatings that you can choose from. These include:
Gloss lamination is a process that creates a glossy finish on a printed product. The process involves laminating two pieces of paper together, one being the printing surface and the other being a gloss finish. The gloss finish is created by coating a transparent plastic sheet over the printed sheet. The resulting product has a shiny, reflective surface. It helps protect printed material from dirt, dust particles, and moisture damage while enhancing its attractiveness.
Matte lamination is a translucent film with a dull finish that provides a more elegant look than glossy lamination. The film is applied over the front of the printed material and protects it from scratches and scuffs. Matte lamination is available in multiple colors and thicknesses, including single-sided, double-sided, and UV matte laminates.
Aqueous coating is a process in which a liquid, usually water, is used to bond the laminate layers together. This coating forms a thin, transparent film that provides a protective barrier for printed materials. It is water-based and requires no heat for application. It can be applied to most substrates and offers excellent resistance to abrasion, water and moisture penetration, and UV light degradation.
UV coating is a process that uses UV light to bond the layers together and protect the packaging from scratches and damage. It is a clear and hard-wearing coating that helps protect against UV exposure, preventing fading and discoloration. The use of UV light allows for a shorter drying time and gives a longer shelf life to the adhesives.
Soft touch coating is a type of lamination that gives the product a velvet-like feel. The process involves applying an adhesive layer to the surface of your product, then adding a layer of soft touch film and heat pressing it onto the adhesive layer. The result is a durable laminate that feels like suede or velvet.
Varnishes are used to improve printed packaging materials’ appearance, durability, and printability. They provide a glossy finish that resists abrasion and moisture penetration. They also protect against UV light degradation.
Anti-scratch lamination can be applied via heat sealing or cold peel technology. This lamination protects against scratches, moisture, dust, and other contaminants that might damage your product or package during display or shipping. It often consists of a thin layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a high molecular weight. The film acts as a protective barrier between the item and whatever surface it is placed upon.