Types of Lamination Comparison

At Graphic Finishing Services, we offer four common types of lamination for printed material. Below, we’ll go into further detail about each of these types so you can compare and determine which type will work best for your print job.

Soft Touch Lamination

Soft touch lamination gives your printing projects a sensory element that’s anything but ordinary. Premium and protective, it enhances print marketing and personal designs with an unexpected feel that yields extraordinary results. Velvety smooth, Soft Touch laminate excites the senses and the sales.

Soft touch lamination offers several benefits:

1. Luxurious Feel: The velvety texture of soft touch lamination adds a sense of luxury and sophistication to printed materials, making them stand out and feel premium to the touch.

2. Enhanced Appearance: Soft touch lamination can give colors a richer and deeper appearance, while also reducing glare and reflections compared to glossy finishes.

3. Durability: Similar to traditional laminations, soft touch lamination provides a protective layer that helps prevent damage from handling, moisture, and other environmental factors.

4. Fingerprint Resistance: The soft touch coating can also help to mask fingerprints and smudges, keeping the printed material looking clean and pristine.

5. Unique Branding: Using soft touch lamination can differentiate your printed materials from others, making them more memorable and leaving a lasting impression on recipients.

Matte Lamination

Matte lamination is used to create a non-reflective, smooth finish with a dull appearance, as opposed to the shiny finish of glossy lamination.

Here are some key features and benefits of matte lamination:

1. Reduced Reflection: Matte lamination reduces glare and reflections on the printed material, making it easier to read or view from various angles and lighting conditions.

2. Sophisticated Appearance: The matte finish gives printed materials a subtle and sophisticated look, which can be particularly appealing for certain designs or branding purposes.

3. Enhanced Color Depth: Matte lamination can enhance the depth and richness of colors, giving them a more muted and elegant appearance compared to glossy finishes.

4. Durability: Like other types of lamination, matte lamination provides a protective layer that helps protect printed materials from scratches, tears, moisture, and other damage, increasing their durability and longevity.

5. Fingerprint Resistance: Matte surfaces are less prone to showing fingerprints and smudges compared to glossy surfaces, helping to keep the printed materials clean and professional-looking.

6. Writable Surface: Depending on the type of ink and paper used, matte-laminated surfaces can often be written on with certain pens or markers, making them suitable for applications such as note-taking or filling out forms.

Glossy Lamination

Glossy lamination is a used to create a shiny, reflective finish that enhances the appearance of colors and images.

Here are some key features and benefits of glossy lamination:

1. Enhanced Color Vibrancy: Glossy lamination intensifies the colors of printed materials, making them appear more vibrant and eye-catching. This effect can be particularly beneficial for designs with vivid colors or high-resolution images.

2. High-Quality Appearance: The glossy finish gives printed materials a polished and professional look, which can help enhance the overall perception of the design or branding.

3. Increased Durability: Like other types of lamination, glossy lamination provides a protective layer that helps protect printed materials from scratches, tears, moisture, and other damage, thereby increasing their durability and longevity.

4. Water Resistance: The glossy surface is less porous than uncoated paper, making it more resistant to water and moisture damage. This makes glossy-laminated materials suitable for use in environments where they may be exposed to humidity or splashes.

5. Enhanced Clarity: Glossy lamination can improve the clarity and sharpness of text and images, providing a smoother and more uniform appearance to the printed material.

6. Fingerprint Attraction: While glossy surfaces offer a sleek and attractive appearance, they are more prone to showing fingerprints and smudges compared to matte surfaces. However, this can often be mitigated with proper handling and care.

Dry Erase Lamination

Dry erase lamination, also known as write-on/wipe-off lamination, is a specialized type of lamination that allows printed materials to be written on with dry erase markers and easily wiped clean for reuse. This type of lamination is commonly used for products such as whiteboards, calendars, charts, maps, educational materials, and other items where temporary writing or drawing is desired.

Here’s how dry erase lamination works and its key features:

1. Surface Coating: Dry erase lamination involves applying a special coating onto the surface of printed materials, typically a clear or transparent film. This coating creates a smooth, glossy surface that allows dry erase markers to be used on it.

2. Write-On/Wipe-Off Capability: The smooth surface created by dry erase lamination allows users to write on it with dry erase markers, just like a traditional whiteboard. The markings can be easily erased using a dry cloth, tissue, or eraser, leaving the surface clean and ready for reuse.

3. Reusable and Eco-Friendly: Dry erase lamination eliminates the need for disposable paper or other writing surfaces, making it a more environmentally friendly option. Users can write, erase, and rewrite on the same surface multiple times, reducing waste.

4. Durable and Long-Lasting: Dry erase lamination provides a protective layer that helps prevent damage to the underlying printed material, extending its lifespan. The lamination also makes the surface more resistant to scratches, stains, and other wear and tear associated with frequent use.

5. Versatility: Dry erase lamination can be applied to a wide range of materials, including paper, cardstock, posters, and more. This versatility makes it suitable for various applications in educational, business, and personal settings.

Overall, dry erase lamination offers a convenient and practical solution for creating reusable writing surfaces that are durable, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly.