Cold Lamination Films For Heat Sensitive Inkjets

GBC Commercial Laminating Solutions Group has launched its Arctic Pressure Sensitive cold lamination films range for indoor and outdoor applications.

The company claimed that the films are processed at a temperature between 40 degrees C - 50 degrees C they are considered by GBC as a 'cool' solution for heat-sensitive inkjet output.

The full range of Arctic films is said to address the growing industry trend towards cold lamination, to ensure optimal colour and finishing for banners, signage, or trade show displays.

GBC said that it has developed cold lamination films for its range of entry-level laminators up to the GBC Tuscan-1.

The company added that it has owned a manufacturing facility for cold pressure sensitive films in the USA and the low dollar exchange rate has enabled GBC-Professional to provide its European customers with a range of lamination films at a competitive price.

In addition to reliable production and quality control, the manufacturing unit also ensures direct exportation to GBC's global customer base, added the company.

GBC said that the growing sales trend in solvent printers, which cannot use heat laminating films, has prompted it to respond to its customers' requirements with a durable cold film product.

Cold laminators are used when the laminated material is sensitive to heat, with some inkjet printers using inks that can melt when heated, or other models that need the use of heat sensitive paper.

The company explained that the biggest advantages of using cold lamination are the low maintenance required and ease of use.

As cold laminators do not use heat, no electricity is required to operate the machine, resulting in no warm-up time and faster movement of the material through the laminator.

In addition, there is no need to adjust the roller tension, or thermostat as cold lamination machines use pressure sensitive adhesives to bind the lamination film.

GBC said that its Arctic Pressure Sensitive cold lamination films ensure high colour density and brightness, enhanced contrast and good quality finishing.

Arctic Universal is said to be a gloss and matt pressure sensitive film that is suitable for indoor and short-term outdoor applications.

This film is based on a PVC carrier and solvent-based adhesive with short term UV protection.

Arctic Sand is a sand-textured PVC-based pressure sensitive film for indoor and short-term outdoor applications.

With moisture and UV resistance, it is said to be appropriate for indoor and short-term outdoor signage and POP displays.

The Arctic High-Volume range is a pressure sensitive film for heavy volume-users, available in gloss, semi-gloss, satin-mat and mat.

With up to two years of UV protection, the films have a water-based adhesive and are solvent and cadmium free.

The company added that Arctic High Volume films are used in such applications as photo base, paper, polyester and vinyl.

GBC-Professional commented that it has broadened its range with Arctic Light Crystal 125u film, which has a light sand composition and is a cold over-lamination developed for the POS market.

The Arctic Mount films for posters, digital prints and price sensitive projects, are said to use an economical polyester carrier coated on both sides with a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, whereas the Arctic Dura Mount Eco uses a PP-based carrier.

The mounting film is said to bonds to porous, non-plastic surfaces and is equipped with a durable adhesive that provides a permanent bond to a variety of substrates.

Arctic Lo-Tack contains a polyester carrier with a removable adhesive for front mounting to glass surfaces.

It is described by GBC as having channels to allow for hand application without leaving bubbles, whilst leaving no residue when short-term graphics are removed.

The film is said to be scratch-resistant and the UL rated slip-resistant film provides graphic protection.

The cast-vinyl composition of the films provides a gloss finish and is guaranteed for outdoor usage.

Being UV-resistant, the films are suitable for long-term outdoor signage and vehicle wraps.

The films also feature a coated release liner, added the company.

Combined with Sure Print White Polyester media, Select Vinyl can be applied as a sandwich product to protect against environmental wear in outdoor applications for up to three to seven years, depending on the application conditions, it is claimed.

The company said that the Arctic range of adhesives were developed using technical innovations and provide over 10 per cent greater bond strength, with tests having been conducted on fresh prints, including CMYK black, at various lamination speeds and temperatures on entry level and high-speed laminators.

Said to be designed for cold, pressure sensitive laminating processes, the adhesives are compatible with all GBC wide format laminating systems, including the GBC 1040 WFc, Arctic Titan 165, 1064 WFt, Tuscan Pro-1 and 2080 WFt.

GBC's marketing and sales director for digital print finishing, Giel Klinkers, said: "Finishing is no longer the afterthought of the printing process.

Today, print providers are recognising the value of sophisticated finishing technology to provide added value and profit.

Many specialised applications will benefit from our films' ability to provide increased colour density with superior and luxurious finishing.

Digital print providers can gain a competitive advantage and build their businesses by offering a and creative lamination product range to their customers.

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