Film lamination
Film lamination is the full-surface coating of a wafer-thin film to a substrate, such as paper, cardboard, self-adhesive film or rigid plastic films.
Colloquially, in Austria the term "Cellophanierung", i.e. cellophaning is also often used for film lamination.
The plastic coating creates a composite material with new technical properties.
Technical advantages of film lamination
Film lamination is often intended to extend the life of a printed product, such as books. Film lamination protects the printed surface against moisture, dirt and abrasion.
Transparent laminating films are so crystal clear that they are not even noticeable as film when viewed. They are available in high gloss, matt standard, matt scratch-resistant and the velvety soft, almost rubbery matt soft-touch.
Many laminating films also bring increased tear resistance to the material compound and thus support further processing like bookbinding, transport and use.
A barrier effect against grease or moisture in food packaging may also be desired. Most of our laminating films are therefore certified as safe for foodstuffs according to FDA and EU standards.
In addition, window lamination with a viewing window into the interior of the packaging is also possible in this area.
Although film lamination is basically full-surface, under certain conditions we can also leave the glue flaps of folding boxes uncoated, by means of cut-out lamination or strip lamination. In parallel, there is also the possibility of using special glueable laminating films.
Decorative added value with laminating films
In addition to the technical improvements, decorative requirements can be added, for example in the case of colored films, metallized laminating films or laminating films with tactile textured surfaces.
Metallized lamination foils are available in gold matt or glossy, silver matt or glossy, aluminum brushed silver, hologram effects and metallic chromatic colors such as copper or red.
Overprinting silver cardboard
Full-surface metallic foil laminations can also be easily overprinted. With thin ink application, the metal shines through the inks. Spot matt-gloss effects with UV coating can also be used to create very attractive designs on silver and gold.
Tactile surface structures
Laminating films with tactile surface textures include linen texture, sand grain, brushed texture with linear orientation, and leather texture.
Sustainability & Environment
There is also increasing demand for biodegradable, compostable films. We also have these in matt and gloss in our range. These films are made from renewable raw materials such as wood cellulose or corn starch. However, their significantly lower tear strength must be taken into account here.
In the course of the increasing discussion on the subject of plastics, we are more and more being asked about the environmental aspect of film lamination. Our opinion: Film lamination is justified if it is indispensable for a technical solution or if it extends the life of a product and thus makes sense in the overall ecobalance. Most lamination films, with material thicknesses between only 0.012 - 0.03 mm, are also only a small part of the printed product. Based on these considerations, film laminations are even partially approved by the Austrian Eco-label . However, please do not film laminate disposable products, such as short-term advertising flyers.
Film laminating sizes & thicknesses
We foil laminate for you from a minimum sheet size of 220x220mm to 1,020x1,420mm and on paper grammages from around 100 to approx. 450g/m².
We can also laminate materials up to 35mm thick, although only semi-automatically and slowly, but in infeed widths of up to 1,600mm and lengths of around 3,000mm.
Materials for laminating films
We mainly process PP (polypropylene) and PET. Both are food safe and groundwater neutral. In the area of biodegradable films, made from renewable raw materials, we offer acetate, i.e. films based on wood cellulose, as laminating films.
In the printing industry, film lamination is the full-surface gluing of a thin film to a substrate, such as paper, cardboard or even thicker films made of plastic. A typical example that everyone knows and hardly anyone is aware of is a film-laminated book cover: a transparent lamination film protects the surface against abrasion, moisture and soiling, facilitates processing by the bookbinder and extends the life of the book.
In advertising technology, on the other hand, the application of self-adhesive film to a panel can also be described as film lamination, for example the application of self-adhesive film to a 3mm aluminium composite panel for the production of an information sign.
You can get both from us!
"Cellophaning" is a historical term for film lamination in paper-processing printers. It has survived mainly in Austrian dialect and industry lingo.
In the printing industry, film lamination or cellophaning is the full-surface gluing of a thin film to a substrate such as paper, board or even thicker plastic films. A typical example that everyone knows and hardly anyone is aware of is a book cover: a transparent laminating film protects the surface against abrasion, moisture and dirt, facilitates processing by the bookbinder and extends the life of the book.
The term "cellophaning" originates historically from the beginnings of this technique, when all laminating films were still made of cellophane, i.e. wood cellulose. Today, mainly petroleum-based plastics, such as PP or PET, are used. The term "cellophaning" has nevertheless survived.
Film lamination, i.e. the full-surface coating of paper or board with a film made of plastic, brings technical and optical advantages:
The lamination film can extend the life of a printed product. It protects the printed surface against moisture, dirt and abrasion. It facilitates processing by the bookbinder through increased tear resistance. It can serve as a food-safe barrier against grease or similar in packaging.
But laminating films can also add decorative value: For example, metallised laminating films or laminating films with tactile textured surfaces. Hologram effects can also be applied by means of film laminations.
This is mainly a matter of taste: a glossy lamination film makes the colours shine more brilliantly, but may seem unsuitable for your product to some customers due to the appearance of a "glossy magazine". Matt laminating films have a calmer and more discreet effect here. The lamination film "Matt Scratch Resistant" also offers increased protection against visible fingerprints, drivers and scratches. Textured laminating films, such as fine linen or sand, offer a middle ground in terms of gloss: although these are glossy, the tactile embossing reduces the light reflection somewhat.
The laminating film "Matt Standard" is more cost-effective in comparison. It also offers increased tear resistance of the product and a barrier against moisture and dirt. Its surface is also rather velvety and is described by most people as pleasant to the touch. Due to the velvety surface, however, the "Matt Standard" is unfortunately also susceptible to fingerprints and mechanical damage such as scratches. Especially with monotonous coloured backgrounds in the print image, you will soon notice this.
The "Matt Scratch Resistant" laminating film offers a remedy here! This is much more resistant and less sensitive. However, its production requires an additional processing step, which makes it cost a little more. For all very high-quality print products, as well as for products with a long application period, we expressly recommend the "Matt Scratchproof" instead of the "Matt Standard". The price difference is definitely worth it in terms of application time.
In the printing industry, film lamination or cellophaning is the full-surface gluing of a thin laminating film to paper or board.
There are both glossy and matt laminating films. The matt softtouch laminating film has a particularly velvety-soft surface in addition to its matt finish. The resulting tactile experience could best be compared to rubber or latex. Visually, the film tends to slightly whiten the substrate. Very dark monotone colour surfaces can be distorted optically as a result. In this case, we recommend our matt scratch-resistant film.
PP (polypropylene) is predominantly used in the paper processing printing industry. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is also frequently used for higher thermal or mechanical resistance requirements. Both laminating films are food-safe and groundwater-neutral. They protect the laminated surface against moisture, abrasion and soiling.
In the field of biodegradable films made from renewable raw materials, acetate (acetate), i.e. laminating films based on wood pulp, or PLA, based on corn starch, are used.
Aluminium is also used for special purposes. In wafer-thin form, vapour-deposited in a high vacuum onto one of the protruding films, for optical purposes or as an actual film, for example when insulating properties are required.
Fully automatic minimum 220x220mm to maximum 1,020x1,420mm sheet size with paper grammages from around 100 to maximum around 600g/m². Material thicknesses above this of up to 35mm can also be coated with plastic laminate, but only semi-automatically and slowly, but with infeed widths of up to 1,600mm and lengths of around 3,000mm.
In the printing industry, film lamination is the full-surface gluing of a thin film onto a paper or board. This foil coating can happen on one side of the paper or on both sides.
An example of one-sided film lamination is a film-laminated book cover. In this case, I only need the surface protection on the outside.
An example of double-sided or double-sided film-laminated is a menu that lies on the table in an ice cream parlour or a snack bar.
Under certain conditions, foil lamination or cellophaning are partially permitted for the Austrian eco-label:
They are allowed for books. Books" are thread-stitched or adhesive-bound printed products with hard or soft covers. Permitted examples are school books, novels, non-fiction books, manuals or paperbacks. Only journals, brochures, magazines, catalogues and annual reports that are only short-lived products and that, according to their informational nature, cannot be classified in one of the permissible categories cited above are expressly prohibited.
The laminating films can be made of polypropylene, the Simsa standard film, or of renewable raw materials, such as the Simsa "Biofoil". Special versions of these films, such as scratch-resistant or with structural embossing, are also permissible.