Product Profile: QLAM SAB 35 Semi-Automatic Digital Laminator

Tech Tips: Film quality

Inks: What to consider when coating digital print

Colour: The impact of laminating on colour

Matts Wrap:  Visual Impact Brisbane and more QLAM installs

On the Weekend: The Sign Master HQ's Bathurst wrap up

While most inks can be laminated, wax and silicon toners still exist and cause the majority of problems with film adhesion.

When purchasing a new printer, it would be wise to consider whether the new printer output can be post processed easily. Can the work be laminated with normal film, or will specialised film be required?

If specialised film is needed, what will the increased cost per item be? Also, can your current laminator run the specialised film? While there is a solution for most ink types, it's wise to contemplate at what cost.

While laminate can optically change a colours appearance, it is generally very subtle.

Gloss films will give the appearance of brightening and enhancing colours, while matt films do the opposite, removing reflection and dulling out metallic inks.

Improvements in adhesives have greatly reduced the occurrence of colour changes due to reactions with ink.

For colour sensitive or colour matched work, please give us a call on 1300 099 030 and send in a sample for us to laminate for you.

Product Profile: New SKY Pouch machines 

Tech Tips: Laminating films for different applications

Matts Wrap: Mounting to substrates

On the Weekend: Alana's adventures

If you have any feedback or topics you would like us to include, please contact us on info@lamination.com.au

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The QLAM SAB 35 is a high performance, high speed digital work horse designed for SRA3 sheets. The QLAM SAB 35 will laminate as fast as you can feed and includes an automatic overlap and sheet separation unit. Popular with digital print houses and copy shops, this semi-automatic digital laminator's smart design and space saving front delivery system has created its small footprint.

Features of the QLAM SAB 35 include:

• Made in Europe to European standards, with the highest quality components
• Large diameter chromed heating roller, ensuring a smooth and consistent finish
• In-built state of the art touch screen operation
• Inbuilt de-curl system and inbuilt compressor for sheet separation
• Semi-automated laminating up to 12 metres per minute

From appearance to performance, the quality is first class. The QLAM SAB 35 is simplicity and efficiency at its best.

View the QLAM SAB 35 in action here  or for further information please click here or contact Sarah on 1300 099 030.

Laminating film is made up of two parts, the actual film and the adhesive that is applied to the film. Both parts are important when producing a quality laminating film. Poor quality film can cause issues like shrinkage, curl and scratching. Adhesive issues including the wrong glue type or the incorrect amount of glue, lead to problems like peel or lift, even complete failure to adhere.

Measured in microns (micrometres) laminating film thickness ranges from 20 to 250 microns and the thickness varies depending on the combination of film and adhesive used during manufacture. All films are not made to a standard or recommended combination. For example two rolls of 30 micron film may look the same, but one performs better than the other why? One roll may be made up of 13 microns of film and 17 microns of glue, where the other may consist of 21 microns of film and 9 microns of glue. In this example it is likely that the second roll of film will be cheaper and will not work as well.                                   

It is our experience that the cheaper the film, the lower the adhesive quality and volume. This is due to the glue component being the major cost when manufacturing laminating film. For this reason, we import all of our films from long standing manufacturers with a reputation for quality.

Consistency is the key with laminating film. It is much cheaper to purchase quality film from a trusted supplier and get the finish you want the first time, rather than use an inferior cheaper film and have the inconvenience and cost of reprinting.

To find out more about our extensive range of laminating films, call us on 1300 099 030, email info@lamination.com.au or click here.                                

Our Sign Master range of wide format laminating machines were on display at April's Visual Impact Brisbane.

Lamination Systems' Matthew Wright was on hand to talk laminating and provide technical advice from stand G2.

Thanks to Australian Visual Solutions (AVS) for hosting Matthew and our Sign Master range. If you're in the market for a wide format laminator or want to check out the vast range of AVS sign solutions, click here or call their friendly team on 1800 017 446.

The Sign Master HQ's had an awesome Easter racing around the famous Mount Panorama track. A huge field of 60 HQ Holdens from across the country guaranteed a weekend filled with action, thrills and spills. Which was evidenced by three of the rounds  finishing under safety car conditions.

Although it was their first race meeting at Bathurst, both Matt Wright and Dave Smiths' Sign Master HQ's found their pace quickly and put in solid performances.

For Matt's full race wrap up, published in May's Wheel Spin magazine, click here.