Common Packaging Process -- Lamination
What is Lamination?
Lamination is the process of bonding a plastic film to the surface of a product after printing. Its purpose is to protect the printed material and enhance its texture.
Process Features
• Outstanding Practical Attributes: After lamination, packaging becomes more rigid with enhanced stiffness, scratch-resistant, moisture-proof, and the colors appear more vibrant.
• Paper Compatibility: Specialty papers are usually not laminated to preserve their original texture, while coated paper (Art paper) is the most suitable for lamination.
• Can be Combined with Subsequent Processes: Lamination is a foundational base process. Decorative processes like hot foil stamping and Spot UV coating should be applied after lamination.
Detailed Step Breakdown
1. First, prepare the materials to be laminated.
2. Apply adhesive to the surface of the film or substrate, and then transport them in alignment.
3. Then, apply pressure with a heat roller to bond the material and the film together.
Types of Lamination Processes
Glossy Film
• Application: Products that need to enhance texture and highlight visual effects, such as food, beauty and daily chemicals, gift packaging, and beverage labels.
• Process Features: High gloss, smooth, and color enhancement.
• Advantages: Increases glossiness, improves product appearance, and makes printed patterns moisture-proof and oil-resistant.
Matte Film
• Application: Products that need to avoid reflection and emphasize a low-key texture: book inner pages, high-end albums, minimalist packaging, etc.
• Process Features: Soft texture, matte without reflection.
• Advantages: No strong light reflection, high-end texture, highlights low-key luxury, and avoids the glaring reflection issue of glossy film.
Soft-touch (Velvet) Film
• Application: Notebook covers, folders, high-end stationery sets, furniture finishes, high-end albums, brand manuals, etc.
• Process Features: Rich tactile sensation, high-end velvet-like texture.
• Advantages: Soft and delicate touch, non-slip, has a damping sensation, and can enhance the interactive experience.
Frosted Film
• Application: Products that need anti-reflection and anti-fingerprint properties: electronic product casings, mobile phone protective films, minimalist packaging, etc.
• Process Features: Matte surface with grain, anti-fingerprint, etc.
Glossy Brushed Film
• Application: Exquisite postcards and gift boxes, tinplate badges (buttons), wedding invitations, promotional materials, and luxury beauty packaging.
• Features: Metallic brushed luster, high reflection texture.
• Core Advantages: The metallic texture and reflective properties of glossy brushing are highly recognizable.
Matte Brushed Film
• Features: Metallic brushed texture, matte coating without reflection.
• Core Advantages: The matte metallic feel of matte brushing avoids the exaggerated look of glossy materials.
Laser Film & Pearlescent Laser Film
• Common Advantages: Rich layers, strong eye-catching ability, comes with a high-end atmosphere; moisture-proof and dirt-resistant.
• Application: Gift packaging, beauty packaging, greeting cards, commemorative album covers, jewelry packaging boxes, etc.
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls
• Film Selection Tips: Choose according to the product style. Select glossy film for a high-end look, matte film for anti-reflection, and brushed/laser film for texture.
• Inspection Pitfalls: Check three elements when receiving lamination samples: the pattern should be clear, the film surface should have no silvering (blotching), and the edges should not show lifting (curling).
