Tailored For Excellence: Types Of Lamination Films For Packaging

by | Oct 19, 2021 | Blog | 0 comments

Different Types Of Lamination Films

Tailored For Excellence: Types Of Lamination Films For Packaging

Material, color, texture, shape, size, lifespan – any and every product out there comes with its own unique properties that allows it to best serve its purpose. To best protect these products and extend their lifespan to the fullest potential, their packaging has to be tailored to suit the multiple characteristics.

Moreover, there are instances with flexible packaging applications where a single material falls short on keeping the product protected for long. To address this, a composite made up of two or more layers of the material is ideal for better performance. This is where laminated films and packaging prove to be innovative solutions.

You come across common examples of laminated films almost every day – flavoured beverages, food items such as sauces, and preserved foods and powders are often found in such laminated packaging. These films usually comprise a multi-layer structure, with one of the polymer films or paper supporting the aluminium or metalized films. They are also designed to provide an excellent odour or aroma barrier; which is why they are also called Barrier films.

Apart from improving the durability of the products, lamination films can also beautify it in a way that it ultimately adds to enhancing the overall user experience. Since the product’s appearance is the first thing that a consumer notices, the premium films can vouch for its superior quality, helping the product stand out on the shelf crowded with many similar ones. One of the most common film lamination processes involves blending various polymeric films with other films, foils, papers, and so on with a polymeric adhesion agent.

The flexible packaging industry is a vast one, sheltering categories and subcategories of products. In the case of lamination films, there is an impressive range of options that you can choose from, in accordance with the specifications of your products, Let’s explore the primary types of lamination films–

Different Types Of Lamination Films



1. Cold Lamination Films:


Cold lamination happens to be one of the most recent innovations. Cold adhesive is essentially pressure-sensitive. It is ideal for laminating products that may be heat-sensitive; for example: vehicle wrap vinyl. Cold laminating films come with superior adhesive qualities, and they can be applied over product surfaces by simply leveraging pressure, instead of heat. It is the responsibility of a release liner to protect the adhesive until it is ready to be applied, usually on a cold-roll laminator.

These films are most suitable for lamination on printed, unprinted and paper boards as well as for carton lamination. While they usually are on the higher side of the price range as compared to hot laminating films, they can be a more affordable solution if you use lighter machinery like non-heated laminators.

Key Features:

  • Static & aging resistance
  • Mould-proof
  • UV protection properties
  • Excellent air tightness



2. Thermal Lamination Films:


Technically speaking, the term ‘thermal’ is strictly reserved for double-sided encapsulation running at 130˚C. But today, people associate the term with any and every heated lamination process, making it a more general phenomenon. Thermal lamination films are surface coated with resin or a thermal adhesive that melts even in low temperature. This property of the film facilitates the process of paper products lamination simply by applying pressure and heat.

This type of lamination film is commonly used for single-sided applications like lamination of commercial products and packaging printers. Its malleability feature enables the laminator to separate and burst the sheets apart with ease. In addition, a thermal lamination film is compatible with coating techniques, such as spot UV, embossing or foil.

Key Features:

  • Superior malleability
  • Gives structural strength & thickness
  • Ideal for regularly used products
  • Receptive to embellishments



3. BOPP Lamination Films:

These lamination films are born out of a base material called BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene). Biaxially oriented Polypropylene is one of the most sought-after packaging materials out there, owing to its key features – foldable, soft, recyclable, easy to write-on and easy to wipe off the writing as well. Despite its many benefits, it is a cost-effective solution. The lamination is done by coating the adhesive on the film, followed by wet or dry bonding it to the product surface. Sometimes, BOPP is laminated with a layer of foil coating to help improve its performance.

These films are ultra-durable and boost an excellent resistance to moisture. They also have the added benefit of clarity, making it the ideal choice when it comes to retail packaging. Given that these films are available in multiple shades, thicknesses and finishes, they work wonders when it comes to enhancing a product’s visual appeal. Some other common uses include packaging for pesticide products and personal care and hygiene products. 

 

Key Features:

  • Superior moisture barrier
  • High transparency
  • Excellent gloss
  • Great chemical resistance

 

4. PET Lamination Films:

Popularly known as Polyester films, PET lamination films are one of the most ideal solutions for multiple applications Why is it a preferred choice for almost all applications? Owing to its primary features – excellent printability, high oxygen barrier and excellent machinability due to
high temperature resistance.

Moreover, this type of film also has high tensile, tear, and impact strength that is retained even after lamination. The most common uses are menu cards and office or college ID cards. If your project demands durability, and heat resistance, then these films are your best bet. They are also available in matte and gloss finishes. 

Key Features:

  • Tough & flexible
  • Excellent scratch resistance
  • General purpose overlaminate
  • Good thermal stability

 

Ecoplast Ltd, One Of The Top Lamination Film Manufacturers In India

With 40 year of experience in the industry, Ecoplast Ltd. is one of the leading lamination film suppliers in the country today. Our films are specifically designed for high-speed lamination, come with excellent anti-static qualities, and are recyclable. The films also have strong adhesive anchoring, paving the way for great paper bonding. We have a range of offerings when it comes to lamination films. Our EcoGen™ collection features the following premium products: