Laminate is a material created by pressing two materials onto each other and sealing them together. The most know product is probably laminate flooring, which is a cost effective alternative to hardwood flooring, and of course laminated paper used to preserve the condition of documents, leaflets, business cards and other types of information printed on card or paper such as restaurant menus.



Lamination is created by placing the material between two sheets of material, often plastic, and sealing them shut by heat and pressure. The surface is then smooth and there is often no marks to be found from the process. By proper lamination, the surface will be completely transparent and not impaired the printed material in any way.

Lamination was first created by inventor Dr. Morris M. Blum, dental medicine doctor from New York in 1938. Back then the dental industry used clear plastic resins to bond and cap the enamel surface of teeth However, the doctor saw a possible different use for the plastic material and created, what we know today as modern laminate. Dr. Blum was first inspired after he saw how old photographs would falter and decay over time. Wanting to preserve his memories, he eventually laminated a photograph, of his wife, in 1938, and thus lamination was created. This practice is still recognized at the University Of Minnesota, through the Dr. Blum Memorial Lectureship.

When paper or other paper like materials are laminated it can prevent and help protect it from harmful damage from the sun and other sources. Lamination can avoid paper getting smudged, stained, wrinkled, marked, abraded or greased over time, a very practical solution especially to preserve resources. Today, all forms of identification papers that include photography are laminated such as driving licenses, passports, social security and many more. Credit and Debit cards are also laminated. Imagine the amount of work that would go into issuing new identification if they were not laminated. The rain forest would probably be a thing of the past already!

Lamination can also be used to change properties or add properties to a flat surface, in this instance mostly paper. Impregnating vinyl with magnetic material can create the amazing magnetic stickers that we all have become accustomed to using, at work to hang memo's and at home to make sure we remember the grocery list. Laminating several times over the same material can give the sort of surface that can be written upon with an erasable marker or chalk. The stunning holographic images on credit cards or novelty items are also an example on how lamination can create effects, by slightly altering the contents of each layer.

Having your business cards laminated will ensure clients and customers are able to keep a card for along time without it becoming unreadable and dog-eared, offering a greater professional impression as well as a cost effective method of ensuring your card can be kept for long periods of time by your clients. Laminated business cards can also incorporate many of the impressive features, such as holographic images to portray your corporate or business image and company logo very effectively.