Paper based documents undergo various chemical changes if exposed to the air. Even if you keep them inside a closed locker or vault, you cannot ensure that the documents will remain in the same condition forever.
Hence, you need to think of some way to preserve the documents. No one would like to loose things like graduation certificate, business signage, deeds, identity proof or the collection of family photographs that bring back glimpses from past! Lamination is an effective means of preserving such film or paper based documents.
Lamination provides adequate protection from the elements that damage paper and film based products. Here is a list of factors that need to be controlled to protect your valuable documents:
- Dust particles found in the air
- Fingerprints
- Wear and tear
- Sticky liquids that fall on the documents accidentally
- Chemical reaction with environmental elements
By laminating one can protect essential documents from many such external factors. Laminated products show higher longevity than unprotected documents. Hence, by laminating you not only make the things look nicer, but make them more durable and strong.
Laminating equipment is used to accomplish the task. The machine applies a protective but transparent coating over the items. Hence the documents do not loose visibility but remain protected from harsh elements.
The substances used as the coat are chemically neutral and water-proof. Hence, they are likely to prevent the documents from various natural and accidental damages. Laminated documents are covered from both the sides for complete protection.
For better result one needs to ensure no air bubble is left between the object and the layer of coating. Even small volume of air may spoil the whole work and can lead to substantial damages eventually. That is why you need to use a good and well maintained laminator only.
Let's learn more about the laminating equipments and know how they work. Once you know how a laminating equipment functions you can easily distinguish between a bad and a good laminator.
How laminating equipment works?
Laminating equipments involve a lot of parts all of which should work in coordination to output quality laminates. The substance need to be laminated is fed to the laminator. It is then taken by a series of rollers which applies the adhesive coated laminate on to the object. It is then taken through a set of rollers that perfectly press the laminate against the substrate.
The pressure between the rollers should be adjusted carefully. Higher roller pressure can damage the substance and lower roller pressure can leave air bubbles and spoil the entire work. Again, same roller pressure may not be useful for all types of substances. Photographic paper may need a higher pressure whereas lower roller pressure is good for conventional papers. Hence, the pressure must be regulated as per the strength of the substance.
One should purchase laminating supply from reputed manufacturers so that the output conforms to the desired standards.
A lot of business houses install laminators at their own place just to protect sensitive business documents efficiently. Laminating equipments are widely used in packaging industry as well. Cartons, wrappers, foils etc. are often laminated from protection from water, dust and other elements.