Film Melt Temperature Chart (All Fahrenheit)
Film Type
Film Thickness
1.5-1.8 mil
3 mil
5 mil
Monopolymer
310
°
-320
°
280
°
-290
°
270
°
-280
°
Low-temp (copolymer)
300
°
-310
°
220
°
-270
°
180
°
-260
°
Ultra-low Temperature
230
°
-280
°
180
°
-270
°
180
°
-260
°
Several important notes about this chart:
1. Your film vendor must have the primary responsibility for providing information
about the film that you are using.
2. This chart is to serve as a general guide when better data is not available.
3. If your film vendor cannot provide this and other information about the film you
are using, it may be difficult to achieve good results.
4. When laminating heavy posters or other thick items with 1.5 mil to 1.8 mil films,
some additional heat may be required to get a permanent bond. Never exceed
340
°
F.
5. While offset printed materials may be laminated at the lower ends of the above
ranges, inkjet and other output from digital printers may require the upper end of
the range in order to get a good bond.
6. See 1-6 Laminating Film for more information.
NOTE:
It is possible that variances from recommended temperature settings may be
necessary due to material thickness, ambient temperature, humidity or the quality or
thickness of the materials being laminated.
Please note the wide range of temperatures listed, especially for heavier films. This does
not mean any film that thick can be run anywhere within the given range. These are
“standard” or high-temperature and “low-melt” or low-temperature versions of all film
thickness. Some low-melt films work at lower temperatures than others do. It is
important you buy your film from a vendor who can tell you the following additional
information about any film you choose:
•
The thickness
•
The clarity
•
Suggested melt-temperature range
•
Polyester/polyethylene content
•
How well the adhesive will stick to the kinds of images you’ll be
protecting and enhancing.
Temperatures may exceed 310
°
F when laminating poster board or other thick items with
1.5 mil film in a continuous basis. When the machine is stopped, turn the heat off if the
setting is in excess of 310
°
F.
Never set the heat above 350
°°
with film in the
