Ed #4 Protective Covering

Laminates offer the greatest protection and are unbeatable in a variety of applications, from tourist maps to the menus in your local pancake house. But with their greater weight, time, complexity and expense, laminates are typically not suited for projects with extremely large press runs, limited life spans or short deadlines. And if laminates are used, there may be more than one way to achieve the desired results. Combining a 5 mil film with a heavier paper stock produces the same stiff, heavy-duty feel as 10 mil laminates over a lighter stock, at a lower cost.

If you can’t decide, remember that the two types of finishes can be used together. A spot matte UV coating, for example, could be applied over a gloss laminate, although the smoothness of the laminated surface could make it difficult to maintain register as the project moves through the coater or press.

The key is to work with your printer and finisher. Discuss the effect you’re after and the level of protection you need to provide. Then consider how to best apply your budget to reach those objectives. If the project will be laminated, make sure to factor in additional time and, often, additional costs in shipping and mailing.