Each product has its own unique properties to serve its purpose. To protect these products and reach their lifespan, they must be packaged appropriately to align with their characteristics.

However, there are cases when a single material cannot protect the product as a flexible packaging solution. Solutions are made using a composite made of two or more layers of material for better performance. One innovation is laminated films.

Laminated films can be seen daily in various applications. Laminated packaging can be seen in food items, preserved foods, and flavored beverages. A multi-layer structure comprises these films with one of the polymer films or paper supporting the metalized or aluminum films. They also act as aroma or odor barriers. Thus, the reason why they are called barrier films.

In addition to improving the products’ durability, lamination films provide an aesthetic appeal that enhances the overall user experience. A consumer usually notices the appearance of the product. This permits the lamination films to attest to its superior quality which helps the product stand out on the shelf crowded with similar items. The manufacturing process of lamination films usually involves blending different polymeric films with other items such as foils, papers, and other films through a polymeric adhesion agent.

The vastness of the flexible packaging industry cannot be underestimated with its categories and subcategories. There is a wide range of options available especially with lamination films. The following are basic kinds of lamination films.

Different Types of Lamination Films

Cold Lamination Films

Cold lamination is one of the newest products in the flexible packaging industry. The cold adhesive is characterized by its sensitivity to pressure. It is ideal for heat-sensitive laminating products. An example would be the vehicle wrap vinyl. Cold laminating films are superior in terms of their adhesive qualities and these can be applied over heat surfaced through leveraging pressure instead of heating. The release liner protects the adhesive until it is ready for application. This usually happens on a cold-roll laminator.

Cold lamination films are ideal choices for laminating printed, unprinted, printed boards including carton lamination. These films are costlier compared to hot laminating films. However, they are more cost-effective if lighter machinery like non—heated laminated is used.

Thermal Lamination Films

‘Thermal’ technically means double-sided encapsulation that runs at 130˚C. However, it has become a misnomer as people relate the term to any heated lamination process. These resin-coated thermal lamination films melt at a low temperature. The film’s unique property allows the lamination process of paper production by simple application of heat and pressure.

Thermal lamination films are used for single-sided applications that include the lamination of packaging printers and commercial products. Its malleability allows the laminator to separate and burst the sheets apart easily. Moreover, a thermal lamination film is compatible with coating techniques that include embossing, foil, or spot UV.

BOPP Lamination Films

These are made from the base material called BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene). BOPPs have become one of the most in-demand packaging materials because of their unique properties. These properties are recyclability, foldable, soft, and easy to wipe off the writing. It is also a cost-effective solution. The process of laminating involves coating the adhesive on the film and doing wet or dry bonding to the product surface. There are instances when BOPP is laminated with a layer of foil to coat and improve its performance.

BOPP lamination films have high durability and are highly resistant to moisture. They also provide clarity which makes it an excellent choice when it comes to retail packaging. These films are available in different shades, thicknesses, and finishes, which make products more visually appealing. Other common uses for packaging also include personal care and hygiene products as well as pesticide products.

PET Lamination Films

PET lamination films are also known as polyester films. These films are compatible with different applications because of their prime features which include high resistance to temperature, excellent printability, and high oxygen barrier.

PET lamination films are also tear resistant, have high tensile strength, and high impact strength. Common applications of PET films include office or college ID cards and menu cards. These films are perfect for products that require durability and high resistance. PET films can either be in matte or gloss finishes.

Conclusion

The flexible packaging industry has come a long way when it comes to innovations. One of these innovations is the manufacture of lamination films. There are many kinds of lamination films that are available in the market today with their own unique properties and features that are ideal for different products. These laminations films are cold lamination films, thermal lamination films, BOPP lamination films, and PET lamination films.

Signwell has an extensive experience in the industry. It is one of the leading suppliers of lamination films. Our films are recyclable, have anti-static qualities, and are designed for high-speed lamination. The films have strong adhesive qualities that make them an excellent choice for paper bonding. We provide a wide range of products when it comes to lamination films.

We have highly-trained personnel that can answer your questions. We also have high standards in the manufacturing process to ensure that only high-quality products reach the doorsteps of your business. Do not hesitate to call us if you need more information regarding lamination films.