Encapsulating film helps to protect your precious photograph or printed graphic documents from the corrosive weather elements. The process of encapsulation involves enclosing the copy of the printed graphic in an encapsulation film that makes it almost indestructible.
Encapsulating is often confused with laminating. Although the purpose of both the processes are the same, that is protecting the printed graphic document from water, heat and dust, thereby extending its lifespan, there is slight difference between the two terms. Applying a €film' to a printed graphic or picture is called laminating. It gives the print a desired finish. Encapsulation is a type of lamination. When heat or pressure is applied by a laminator to seal both the surfaces of a printed graphic or document, it is called encapsulation.
Different types of encapsulating film
There are different choices of encapsulating films. Polypropylene, polyester or nylon films are bonded above and below the printed product with the help of an adhesive material. An encapsulated document is easily identified by the plastic edge around the printed graphic.
How to choose encapsulating machines
While shopping for encapsulating machines, the exact purpose of using the machine needs to be taken into account. A high-end encapsulating machine capable of laminating and encapsulating diverse materials of different sizes usually supports both thermal and pressure sensitive lamination processes.
Thickness of film
The desired thickness of the finished laminated product plays an important role in selecting the appropriate encapsulation film. In addition, the laminator model that you are using also helps to determine the thickness of the laminating film. The older encapsulation machines that suffer from poor temperature control, low nip pressure and slow lamination speed, usually require thicker films for proper finish. However, the latest more advanced laminators with faster speed and improved temperature and pressure control usually use thinner encapsulating films. The average thickness of encapsulating films for standard laminating machines is from 1.2 to 1.8-mil.
Encapsulation film for hot lamination
The type of lamination process is an important factor that should be taken into account while shopping for encapsulation film. When hot lamination is used for encapsulating a document, you need a heat sensitive film that contains an adhesive resin that melts to bind the film to the material to be laminated when heat is applied in the laminating machine. For encapsulating thicker materials, the film should contain more adhesive.
Polypropylene laminating film
Polypropylene is the least expensive laminating film material. It is also less durable than other laminating films. Nonetheless, it provides a high glossy finish. It is also suitable for post lamination finishes. Polypropylene films can be fed into almost all types of laminators.
Polyester laminating film
If you are looking for a laminating film that offers better protection than polypropylene, you can choose polyester film for laminating your printed products. However, polyester films are not as glossy as polypropylene. Owing to their reasonable price and ability to enhance the appearance and lifespan of graphical document, polyester is currently the most popular choice for laminating.
Encapsulating is often confused with laminating. Although the purpose of both the processes are the same, that is protecting the printed graphic document from water, heat and dust, thereby extending its lifespan, there is slight difference between the two terms. Applying a €film' to a printed graphic or picture is called laminating. It gives the print a desired finish. Encapsulation is a type of lamination. When heat or pressure is applied by a laminator to seal both the surfaces of a printed graphic or document, it is called encapsulation.
Different types of encapsulating film
There are different choices of encapsulating films. Polypropylene, polyester or nylon films are bonded above and below the printed product with the help of an adhesive material. An encapsulated document is easily identified by the plastic edge around the printed graphic.
How to choose encapsulating machines
While shopping for encapsulating machines, the exact purpose of using the machine needs to be taken into account. A high-end encapsulating machine capable of laminating and encapsulating diverse materials of different sizes usually supports both thermal and pressure sensitive lamination processes.
Thickness of film
The desired thickness of the finished laminated product plays an important role in selecting the appropriate encapsulation film. In addition, the laminator model that you are using also helps to determine the thickness of the laminating film. The older encapsulation machines that suffer from poor temperature control, low nip pressure and slow lamination speed, usually require thicker films for proper finish. However, the latest more advanced laminators with faster speed and improved temperature and pressure control usually use thinner encapsulating films. The average thickness of encapsulating films for standard laminating machines is from 1.2 to 1.8-mil.
Encapsulation film for hot lamination
The type of lamination process is an important factor that should be taken into account while shopping for encapsulation film. When hot lamination is used for encapsulating a document, you need a heat sensitive film that contains an adhesive resin that melts to bind the film to the material to be laminated when heat is applied in the laminating machine. For encapsulating thicker materials, the film should contain more adhesive.
Polypropylene laminating film
Polypropylene is the least expensive laminating film material. It is also less durable than other laminating films. Nonetheless, it provides a high glossy finish. It is also suitable for post lamination finishes. Polypropylene films can be fed into almost all types of laminators.
Polyester laminating film
If you are looking for a laminating film that offers better protection than polypropylene, you can choose polyester film for laminating your printed products. However, polyester films are not as glossy as polypropylene. Owing to their reasonable price and ability to enhance the appearance and lifespan of graphical document, polyester is currently the most popular choice for laminating.