GBC Highlights Thermal Lamination at Drupa 2004

GBC Films Group Europe the finishing equipment and consumables supplier will demonstrate its portfolio of film and equipment to showcase the advantages of thermal lamination at Drupa 2004.

GBC Films Group Europe the finishing equipment and consumables supplier will demonstrate its portfolio of film and equipment to showcase the advantages of thermal lamination at Drupa 2004.

In a special theatre on its stand (Hall 11, Stand D05), GBC said it will present a programme that highlights the advantages of thermal lamination for finishing purposes for all sectors of the printing industry.

The company believes lamination serves the dual purpose of offering protection for the printed sheet as well as enhancing it aesthetically for added value.

It said the market increase in the use of lamination because current technology has made the process simpler, with easy to operate machinery putting it within the skill sets of most companies.

A key advantage is also its high productivity.

Thermal laminating systems allow quick changes to stock, size and film and require no drying time, which means that post-finishing like folding, punching, cutting and binding can begin directly after lamination.

With quick set-up, minor clean-up and no drying time, thermal lamination assures a fast turn-around said GBC.

As well as technological advantages, the required level of investment is often much less than the water-based equivalent.

GBC offers fully automatic thermal laminators with a working width up to 52cm from 50,000 Euros.

A 76cm wide, high-speed laminator can be purchased for 95,000 Euros, including transport, installation and training.

GBC believes that low-investment machinery reduces the gamble of moving into a new area for many printers and finishers.

Another contributory factor to the rise in popularity of the thermal lamination market has been the increase in availability of more cost-effective and faster processing systems, which in turn has significantly driven down the cost of consumables.

Pre-defined glue settings and easy to operate machines assure consistent quality it added, whilst thermal lamination film can contain a high glue percentage.

On uneven surfaces it offers the advantage that the thicker glue layer can absorb the unevenness caused by powder and dust without pre-handling, so the end result always has a smooth finish, whilst reflex blue, which is often difficult to laminate, does not present a problem for thermal lamination film.

As the advantages of thermal lamination become more widely known, trade finishers are receiving increasingly specific requests from customers to use thermal laminating film on their prints.

Although thermal lamination contains a high glue percentage the company claims it is not damaging to the environment.

GBC film contains no solvents and is recyclable and there are no adhesives to be disposed of.

With the widespread increase in demand for lower volumes and personalised print from both digital and offset printers, there is a need for more flexible on-demand laminating solutions, commented GBC.

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