Laminating Capabilities

Combining Performance Properties to Achieve Desired Results

Sometimes one film alone won’t meet the performance or aesthetic needs of your application. On those occasions, two or more similar or dissimilar films can be laminated together by use of either a pressure-sensitive or heat-activated adhesive to achieve the necessary performance properties.

A laminated construction can allow you to:

Combine properties: Achieve the best of multiple worlds by combining films with dissimilar characteristics, such as flexibility and rigidity. For example, we might combine a metalized polyester with a vinyl to have the look of the metalized film with the conformability of the vinyl.
Create a thicker construction: Two thin films can be combined to achieve the gauge needed for converting or other purposes, such as a combination of one film that’s desired for its surface properties with a less expensive (filler) film to achieve desired thickness.
Achieve different properties top and bottom: Different films can be combined when you need a specific property on top and another specific property on the bottom. Check out our story about Tecate Beer’s custom floor graphics.
Combine components with incompatible chemistries. It’s possible to use a film and adhesive together that are not compatible by sandwiching a different film in between. Similarly, if a print technology is not compatible with the desired film, a clear film could be laminated on top to achieve print compatibility.
Achieve durability or a certain visual appearance on top: Certain properties can be added to the top of a bulky construction by laminating a film with the desired property on top of it.
Add stability: A very flimsy substrate can be made more sturdy by laminating it to a thin film.
Protect: A premask or other type of masking film can be laminated to prevent scratching or other damage to the film’s surface during converting, in transit or during installation.

Looking for a manufacturing technology partner to bring your innovative idea to fruition? Our Functional Technologies team may be able to help!