Substrate laminates offer benefits liquid laminates do not, which go far beyond surface protection. Photos courtesy Arlon Graphics
By Ritchie Daize
Most premium commercial graphics are produced with some type of protective coating. Print houses and sign shops that produce graphics by printing on pressure-sensitive films (PSF) typically use one of two methods as protection: substrate or liquid-coated laminates. Substrate laminates offer benefits that liquid laminates do not, which go far beyond surface protection.
Laminates are often thought to have only one function—protect the image printed on the base film from abrasion and ultraviolet (UV) exposure in the field. However, laminates begin their usefulness from the moment they are applied and continue to add functionality throughout the entire service life of the graphic.
Here are the top five reasons to use a substrate laminate:
1. They provide additional protection through production, shipping, and application
Applying a laminate soon after the graphics leave the printing press is an excellent way to preserve your images from being damaged as they pass through each production process, which includes shipping and application. Substrate laminates are applied on a roll-to-roll laminator similar in principle to most digital print presses. The most efficient way to process roll-to-roll graphics is to maintain roll length through as many procedures as possible. Liquid-coated laminates require sheeting immediately after they are printed, causing losses in productivity to your downstream processes.
2. Their added dimensional stability makes graphics easier to handle and apply
Substrate laminates typically match the thickness of the pressure-sensitive films they are applied to. This added thickness offers body and flexibility, which makes handling and applying these graphics much easier, especially in extreme temperatures or when solvent inks are used. Liquid clearcoats are very thin and make the printed film brittle and difficult to apply and require application tape to maintain dimensional stability.
