Printing an outdoor application such as a poster or billboard is one matter, but ensuring it has the right protection to ensure its longevity in what can often be challenging conditions amid the elements is another consideration altogether. Lamination presents sign-makers with an effective method of not only protecting their work, both in interior and exterior environments, but also the opportunity to add an extra bit of sparkle to printed pieces and make them stand out more to passers-by. With this in mind, SignLink considers the most important attributes to look out for when purchasing new lamination machinery and highlights some of the latest options available to the market. Making The Right Choice A name synonymous with this sector, Vivid Laminating Technologies offers a wide range of options to sign-makers and wide-format printers across the UK. Product and sales manager Lewis Evans says putting in place the right equipment is imperative for all types of finishing in sign-making. “One of the most important things to consider when investing in a new laminator is that it operates and runs properly and doesn’t wreck any of the work that has been printed,” Evans explains. “Companies need to be looking at a number of core attributes, including how it operates over a 50m roll, given the size of some signage applications. A good quality silicon roller will operate in a way that a 50m roll of vinyl will run without it running off. “A quality laminator will also not put crease marks on the printed work, which otherwise would lead to the need to re-print the piece. When applying expensive films to protect the printed work, you need to ensure that it applies perfectly evenly all the way through, doesn’t damage any of the work and you need to have confidence in multiple operators being able to use the equipment easily.” Looking at Vivid’s collection of lamination solutions for sign-makers and wide-format printing businesses, Lewis has little hesitation in pointing to the Easymount range. In particular, Evans highlights the ease of use for these machines as one of their main selling points, saying that the easier LAMINATION EQUATION Critically important to the protection of printed wide- and large-format work, SignLink takes a closer look at lamination and the core considerations for sign-makers when investing in new equipment BACK TO BASICS / LAMINATION EQUIPMENT 49 Issue 249 - October / November 2023 email: news@signlink.co.uk ◄ Papergraphics picks out the Flexa EasyLite compact laminator as its most popular machine
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