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G L O S S A R Y O F T E R M S
D
ECAL
:
An image that has been laminated on top (either heat-
activated or pressure-sensitive) with an adhesive backing
F
ILM
:
A synonym for laminate. The material used in the
laminating and encapsulating process
H
EAT
-A
CTIVATED
F
ILMS
:
Films with an adhesive that is activated when heat is
applied. Once applied to an image the adhesive forms a
strong bond adhering the laminate and the image
together.
I
N
-F
EED
:
The side of the laminator from which images are fed
L
EADER
-B
OARD
:
A piece of foam board (about 4’ x 4”) used to push
films into the nip. Also used for mounting or pre-
coating boards to prevent adhesive from getting onto
the rollers and sealing edges.
M
IL
:
Refers to the thickness of the laminate in 1/1000ths of
an inch. One Mil is equal to .0254mm or 25 micron.
M
OUNTING
:
Applying an image onto some kind of foam board or
substrate.
N
IP
:
The spot where the top and bottom rollers meet
O
UT
-F
EED
:
The side of the laminator from which completed images
emerge
P
RE
-C
OATING
:
The process of coating a substrate with an adhesive
mounting film onto which an image can be mounted.
P
RESS
:
The amount of force in distance put on anything that
passes between the top and bottom rollers.
P
RESSURE
-S
ENSITIVE
F
ILMS
:
Films with an adhesive that is activated when pressure is
applied, forming a bond between the protective laminate
and the surface of the image. Used primarily for fast
mounting applications and recommended for heat-
sensitive thermal and photographic prints.
R
ELEASE
L
INER
:
The backing on a pressure-sensitive film or mounting
adhesive. After peeling the release liner off, the adhesive
layer becomes exposed.
S
LED
:
A board that has a non-stick surface that is used when
laminating one side of an image only. These can be
made using a foam board coated with a self-wound
pressure sensitive adhesive. The silicone release liner is
not removed during coating and provides the necessary
non-stick surface.
S
UBSTRATE
:
The material to which an image is mounted or affixed