coldlaminering

Coldlaminering, or cold lamination, is a finishing process that covers printed materials with a clear protective film using a pressure-sensitive adhesive at room temperature. It does not require heat, distinguishing it from hot lamination, which relies on heated rollers to activate adhesive.

It is commonly performed with sheet laminates in pouches or with roll-fed film. In pouch laminating, the printed item is placed between two clear sheets and sealed with pressure. In roll laminating, the film is applied over the material using a cold laminator or hand tools, pressing out air to avoid bubbles.

Materials: Laminating film is typically a clear polymer film (such as PET or PP) with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side, often acrylic or EVA-based. The film is available in various thicknesses and strengths to provide protection against moisture, abrasion, and UV exposure in some variants once laminated.

Applications: used for posters, photos, signs, maps, and artwork, particularly when the item is sensitive to heat or when quick, low-energy protection is desired. It is also used in educational materials and archival contexts where reversibility and non-heat exposure are important.

Advantages and limitations: advantages include no heat, compatibility with heat-sensitive substrates, fast setup, and easier removal in some cases. Limitations include potential air bubbles, less robust adhesion on rough surfaces, and varying resistance to moisture or solvents compared with hot laminates.

See also: Hot lamination, pressure-sensitive adhesive, laminating film.