Comparing Matte vs Gloss Lamination

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In the printing industry, lamination refers to the process of bonding a clear plastic film onto printed matter to make it stronger and more durable. In most cases, the bonding is applied to both sides of the printed piece so that it is totally enclosed in the plastic film. This protects the piece from stains, tears, moisture and other hazards that can damage or ruin it altogether. Lamination adds strength and rigidity to a printed piece and also makes the colors stand out more.

Lamination is used in a wide variety of print projects and is ideal for items constantly being handled. For example:

• Restaurant menu printing
• Price lists
• Maps
• Book printing
• Bookmarks
• Business and membership cards
• Marketing materials
• Print catalog

Lamination also helps protect printed pieces that get used in dirty or damp environments. These can include machinery warnings, operating instructions, safety signage, reusable tags, and more. In these environments, the plastic film often extends beyond the edge of the printed piece so that both layers can bond with each other. This provides a tight seal that prevents dirt, moisture and other contaminants from getting inside. With laminate material finishes, the reflective coating can be the difference between a smooth and soft-to-touch print with a long shelf life and one that quickly collects dust, dirt, and scratches.

In the printing world, lamination can be applied by heat or adhesion. Most printing companies prefer using heat because it produces a stronger, more durable bond. Lamination film thickness is typically measured in &#;mils,&#; which are not the same as millimeters. A mil equals one-thousandth of an inch, or .001&#;. The amount of thickness needed for a printed piece depends on the environment it will be used in and the desired rigidity.

Matte and gloss: the most popular lamination choices

There are three basic types of lamination in print pieces: matte, gloss and silk. Of these, matte and gloss are the most popular. In fact, the choice between matte vs. gloss lamination can be one of the most important decisions in a print project.

Matte laminating produces an elegant, sophisticated finish. It also provides a softer, more natural look that makes it easier to read the printed piece. Matte lamination has a &#;velvety&#; texture that makes it pleasant to handle. It also softens the contrast of darker colors so that they don&#;t stand out quite as much.

Gloss lamination produces a shiny, glass-like appearance that enhances the color and vibrancy of the ink on a page. It is commonly used for business applications such as marketing and promotional pieces. It also works well as a covering for bound information in the form of books, reports and training materials.

Both matte and gloss lamination provide many important benefits for printed materials. These include:

• Enhanced durability. Laminated print pieces can withstand high levels of daily use.
• Damage protection. Lamination protects against damage from fingerprints, liquid spills, stains, smudges, grease, dirt, grime, and much more. When the laminate gets soiled, it is easy to clean.
• Improved appearance. Enhanced ink colors of the printed piece create a more professional look. The added strength and stiffness of the laminated item give the impression of better quality.
• Easy to read. Because it is completely transparent, lamination doesn&#;t impair or blemish the printing.
• Affordable. Lamination is reasonably priced and can actually save money by extending the life of print pieces and avoiding the need to reprint damaged ones. 

When to use matte vs. gloss lamination

The choice between matte vs. gloss lamination depends on the printed piece and how you plan to use it.  Both types provide a strong, clear covering that makes the text and graphics completely visible to the reader. However, keep in mind that matte absorbs light while gloss reflects it. This makes a big difference in the appearance of the printed piece and the impact it has on people.

Choose matte laminate paper when:

• The printed piece will be situated underneath direct lighting (i.e., store signage). The matte finish helps deflect any glare, making the piece easier to read at any angle.
• The printed piece doesn&#;t get handled very often. Matte laminates can easily be scratched or scuffed by excessive use.
• You want a modern, sophisticated look. Matte makes a great first impression.
• The printed piece contains subdued color tones.

Choose gloss-laminate paper when:

• The printed piece is an item that gets handled a lot every day. Gloss provides a higher level of protection than matte and is easier to clean.
• You want the piece to make a strong visual impact. With gloss lamination, the colors seem to jump off the page.
• Avoiding glare is not a problem.
• Price is an issue? Gloss laminate costs less than matte.

Other design considerations

Matte vs. gloss laminate is just one of many decisions to be made during the laminating process. Other considerations include:

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• Laminate thickness. The more rigid the print piece needs to be, the thicker the laminate. On the other hand, pieces that need to be flexible and foldable should have a thickness of 3 mil or less. Printivity also offers a single sided, 1.3 mil lamination that is used to protect booklet covers and mini posters.
• Type of edging. If the environment contains oil, grease, liquids or other contaminants, choose a sealed edge. Both sides of the laminate extend beyond the edge so that the bond creates a seal to prevent contaminates from contacting the laminate print piece. Flush edges can be used when potential contamination is not a problem.
• Corner shape. The choice here is square vs. rounded. With thick laminate, a square corner can become sharp, creating a safety hazard. Thick square corners are not a good choice for materials that get handled a lot, especially those handled by children. In general, rounded corners are safer and provide a softer look and feel.

Be sure to consider lamination for your next print project. For just a little bit more money, you can protect your print piece against the elements while giving it a more polished professional look. If you have any questions about lamination, or would like a custom quote, contact our customer service representatives at 1-877-649- or .

Laminated Printing: Types, Uses, and Tips

Laminated printing refers to printed pieces that have a clear plastic film bonded to them. Printing is laminated to protect it from stains and moisture, to increase its strength and durability, and to add sheen and vibrancy to its ink colors. Lamination makes printed documents look more finished and professional.

The clear plastic film used to laminate printed matter is available in a variety of thicknesses. Some are thin and flexible, others are quite rigid. By the way, if you need a printed piece to be rigid, one tip that can generally save you money is to use a heavy cardstock to print on and then apply a thinner laminate film-as opposed to printing on thinner paper and using a thicker laminate film.

If in doubt, tell your printer what your desired thickness result is, and then he/she can price it out with the most economical method.

How is Lamination Film Measured?

Lamination film is measured in mil thicknesses. One mil is equal to .001" or 1/ths of an inch (a mil is not the same as a millimeter). Hence, a lamination film measuring 1.5mil would be ." thick. Likewise, a film measuring 10mil would be .010" thick. Also, because your printing will be sandwiched between two pieces of laminate, a 1.5mil laminate will increase the overall thickness of your printed piece by 3 mil (.003"). Likewise, a 10mil laminate will increase the overall thickness by 20 mil (.020").

Basically, the more sturdy you would like your finished printed piece to be, the thicker the laminate you would choose. However, if your printed piece is to be folded, it is usually best to use a laminate film thickness of 3mil or less. As you would expect, folding becomes more difficult as the laminate thickness increases.

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Below is a list of common laminating film thicknesses as well as some examples of popular uses for each size:

• 1.5 MIL (.") - This is a relatively thin laminate, so it does not add much rigidity to the printed piece. However, the 1.5mil thickness is an economical choice when applying laminate to print materials that are constructed of heavy paper or cardstock, such as business cards, flash card sets, presentation folders, and book or manual covers. Also, because 1.5mil is the least expensive laminate choice, it is also a great fit for laminated print projects that serve a temporary purpose, such as a route map for a walk-a-thon or a limited-time holiday menu for a restaurant. The flexible 1.5mil thickness is also perfect for laminating labels and decals.

• 3 MIL (.003") - This film thickness provides adequate protection yet is still thin and flexible enough to allow the printed piece to be folded. For this reason, 3mil laminate is frequently used for restaurant menus that require folding, such as the popular bi-fold or tri-fold menu. A 3mil laminate is also a good choice for wall posters, maps, or the pages of a manual or flip book.

• 5 MIL (.005") - This laminate size adds moderate sturdiness to print materials and holds up to frequent usage. In some cases, it can be scored and folded, but the thickness of this laminate may yield a "spring open" effect on some folded pieces. However, this thickness is an ideal choice for flat pieces that get handled often. This includes instructional materials, charts and diagrams, bookmarks, event passes, dry/wet erase memo boards, and some restaurant or bar menus.

• 10 MIL (.010") - This is a serious laminate. It offers tremendous rigidity and protection. Pieces laminated with 10mil film cannot be bent or creased easily. As such, a 10mil laminate is often used on identification cards and badges, reusable tags, and reference sheets, as well as indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar menus that do not fold. Also, because of its superior toughness, a 10mil laminate is recommended for any printed pieces that are to be used in dirty, damp, greasy, or otherwise rugged environments.

As you choose a laminate size, please keep in mind that the combination of a heavy substrate and/or thicker laminates can cause a printed piece to become extremely stiff, resulting in sharp corners. In these cases, we recommend having the corners rounded off to prevent any injury while the pieces are being handled. As a rule of thumb, the corners can generally remain square (un-rounded) if the finished piece is thin enough to remain pliable at its edge. However, if the laminated pieces will be handled by children, such as flash cards or other educational materials, it is a good practice to round the corners regardless of the thickness.

Related article: Laminated Printing: Sealed Edge or Flush Cut?

If you have any questions about lamination or have an upcoming project that requires printing and laminating, give Formax Printing Solutions a call at 866-367- or send us an . Or, if you already know the specs of your project, simply click here to access our quote request form. We not only offer excellent pricing on laminated printing, we can also offer you helpful guidance and advice!

Take care! Rick

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