Laminate Normal

The world of printing and packaging, lamination plays a critical role in protecting and enhancing the final product. “Laminate Normal” refers to standard lamination—typically a gloss or matte film applied over printed materials for durability, a polished look, and moisture resistance. As preferences evolve, understanding its value and application is more important than ever.

Standard Lamination: Still the Reliable Choice

Many advanced finishes have entered the market, standard lamination remains a dependable and widely used option. It is applied to brochures, menus, product packaging, and other materials to provide a balance of protection and affordability. Because of its cost-effectiveness and wide availability, it continues to dominate in commercial printing.

Moreover, normal lamination offers a smooth, professional finish that enhances color contrast. While some may view it as basic, it consistently delivers quality and long-lasting results. In fact, many industries still prefer it for high-volume jobs due to its proven reliability. Despite changing trends, it has not been pushed aside—it’s simply been complemented by newer techniques.

Adapting Lamination for Modern Needs

As customer expectations shift, so does the approach to lamination. Consequently, even standard lamination has evolved to include eco-friendly films, better adhesives, and faster processing. For instance, biodegradable laminate options are now available for businesses seeking sustainability without sacrificing quality.

Additionally, digital printing and lamination workflows have become more integrated. This reduces turnaround times and improves efficiency. Because of these changes, printers can offer traditional lamination with a modern edge. While the core concept stays the same, its role in today’s market has grown more sophisticated.

To begin with, matte lamination is a common type of lamination that adds a smooth, clear matte finish to printed materials. One of its key benefits is that it reduces glare, making products easier to read. Moreover, this type of lamination gives items a sophisticated feel. As such, it looks natural while also enhancing the item’s perceived quality.

Gloss

In contrast, gloss lamination is a classic lamination style. The plastic used in gloss lamination is smooth, which reflects a lot of light and gives items a shiny quality. Typically, it is applied to both sides of the product, which means it provides a high degree of protection from damage. Therefore, it’s often chosen for materials that require durability as well as visual appeal.

Soft Touch Lamination

Additionally, soft touch lamination is a luxurious lamination type that satisfies two senses: sight and touch. While it generally resembles matte lamination in appearance, it distinguishes itself through its soft, silky texture. This velvety feel makes laminated paper products feel particularly upscale. In fact, it’s often referred to as the Rolls Royce of print finishing—except, of course, without the Rolls Royce price tag.

Nylon Lay Flat Lamination

Less common than the types listed above, nylon lay flat laminate is mostly used for book jackets and perfect bound book covers. It doesn’t produce the curl in the finished product that other laminates tend to create. This type of laminate is typically applied to one side of the printed sheet only and helps book covers last longer.

Adding Lamination to Print

Protection

Like we’ve discussed, adding a layer of lamination to your printing can help protect your print. On business cards, this can help stop the edges from getting worn. It can help menus last longer in restaurants and posters stay in tip-top shape!

Wipeable

As part of this extra protection, laminated printing also makes your item wipeable. Taking menus as an example again, it means you can wipe them down after each use with a slightly damp cloth without damaging the print. High-quality, clean menus for longer.

Quality

Adding a specific finish also improves the perceived quality of your print. Magazines use this all the time to make their covers glossy and attractive, and novels often have velvet laminated printing so it feels good in the reader’s hands. This is especially useful for business cards too, where the feel of the card boosts the all-important first impression of your business.

Enhanced Colour

Lamination printing also affects the overall colour of your print. Matt creates a slightly duller colour, whereas gloss lamination makes colours look more vibrant. Velvet lamination makes colours look deeper and richer.