can remove the protective liner revealing a surface perfectly free of dust, scratches
or abrasion
•
opaque or colored films for the back side of a lamination; these can form a border for
a laminated piece
•
iridescent clear films for special visual effects
•
permanently waterproof films for outdoor, underwater, or special applications; the
most common thermal laminating films are made with water-based primers and will
eventually de-laminate if continually exposed to water or weather; truly waterproof
films are made with special primers
Rolls of film may be purchased in different widths. The size of the laminator is the only
limitation to the width of the film rolls you can use. Make sure the upper and lower roll
widths are the same, and are aligned with each other.
When installing film, always center the rolls of film on the supply roll mandrels. Because
it does not hold heat well, 1.5 mil film can be the most difficult gauge of film to use. A
standard 1.5 mil film will run at about 310 °F, while a 3 mil film with the same adhesive
type will run at 280 °F. Even when applied at 310 °F, the 1.5 mil film will not adhere as
consistently as the 3 mil film applied at 280°F, or a 5 mil applied at 250°F. For many
applications, 5 mil film does a much better job of protecting and enhancing items.
Ten mil film is suggested for those applications that need the most protection and
rigidity. Seven mil films are also available.
Rolls of film are sometimes spliced. Most film suppliers will mark a splice with colored
tape. This way, you can see the splice as a “dash” of color on either end of the roll. If
you spot a spliced roll in advance, you can put it on the top supply roll mandrel in order
to see the splice coming more easily and avoid putting material under the splice. Or
you could put it on the bottom roll if you plan to be laminating items that will never be
seen from the backside.
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