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Thermal Transfer Overlaminates
Overlaminates are used to protect materials from UV rays, weather, fingerprints,
grease, and dirt, as well as form tampering. They are also used to guarantee a
smooth and even finish, reduce glare, or change the textural appearance of the material.
In fact, overlaminates serve various functions including protecting vehicle graphics,
safety markings, and decals, they are also used on traffic, and safety signage and
other exterior signage to protect them form the weather. Some overlaminates have
additives to protect against graffiti and vandalism. In addition, all dye sublimation
printed images must have an overlay panel or an overlaminate applied to helps prevent
images from premature wear and fading caused by ultraviolet rays. There are three categories of overlaminates, pressure-sensitive film laminates,
thermal transfer overlaminates, and liquid. Pressure-sensitive laminates are applied
at room temperature and can be applied without any special machinery or processes.
Thermal transfer overlaminates are dived into two categories, low temperature and
high temperature overlaminates. Low temperature overlaminates are best applied
at temperatures between 185-210F (85?99C), whereas high temperature overlaminates
need to be applied at temperatures between 210-275F (99?135C). There are several types of machines used to apply lamination to items. Some laminators
apply the film to the item, and then press it into place. Other laminators apply
low or high heat to activate the process. The most common types of laminates are
pouch laminates. They are called this the laminate is a pre-made film pouch that
the item is slid into then placed in the roll laminator. Pouch laminates are made
for thermal transfer and, pressure-sensitive versions. Overlaminates are available in several finishes: textured, luster, matte, satin,
and glossy. There are also textured overlaminates that resemble canvas, which are
applied to prints to give them the appearance of being rendered on canvas. There
are also other special texture overlaminates, which prove various options for enhancing
the appearance of portraits and prints including overlaminates that give the appearance
of brush strokes.
Small business guides: , Thermal Transfer Labels Guide.com |
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