July 20 2008 - Welcome to Finishing & Laminating Category. We continually add articles to this section, so be sure to check back often. If you'd like to suggest an article or write one for this category, please e-mail us here and let us know.
Panel Saw, Table Saw, Mat Cutter or Combo Machine, which is Right for your Shop?
One way for sign shops to increase their efficiency is to have the right tool for cutting sheet goods to size. There are a few basic considerations that every sign shop must address when purchasing a cutting machine: space restraints, ease of use, capability, safety, cost and dust.
What You Need to Know About Varnish in the Digital Printing Arena
There’s more than one way to varnish. And there’s more than one way to make a mess with varnish, too. The good news is, if you use the right printer and the right materials, varnishing can add profits to your bottom line.
What You Need to Know About Pollution Prevention in Your Shop
Protecting yourself, your employees and your community are just a few reasons why you want to be sure that your shop is compliant with all of the current safety regulations. One of the most important areas of safety that is often overlooked is the ventilation of your print shop.
Tricks of the Trade Show: Fabricating Graphics For Portable Display Systems, Part II
In Part I, we covered the conventional approach to fabricating a semi-supported graphic. In Part II we will discuss the two remaining approaches, Second Surface Graphics and Printable Backlaminate.
Tricks of the Trade Show: Fabricating Graphics For Portable Display Systems, Part I
Although many folks probably think the subject of graphics finishing is boring, the fact is that it is extremely important in the total performance of most graphics. The process of lamination can involve far more than sticking a clear film to the surface of a graphic image.
How to Laminate Inkjet Output with High Ink Coverage
Try these options for success in multi-heat roller laminator applications
Creating Magnet-Receptive Graphics
In this day and age, a little diversification of your business can go a long way.
What Does UV Protection Really Mean?
Armed with this information, you will now be able to judge for yourself whether something is UV protected or not.
Expanding Your Finishing Profitability, Part II
In part II, we continue examining some of the ideas for expanding upon your current offerings by knowing what the capabilities of your machine are and using your imagination.
Expanding Your Finishing Profitability, Part I
Perhaps one of the greatest attributes of your company’s finishing department is the fact that, despite the whirlwind of technological change in all other facets of your business, your trusty laminator can still keep pace with the increasing demands of your customers. Your laminator is an investment that with the right amount of imagination, ingenuity and know-how can become more profitable for your business than ever before.
Matching the Materials to the Job: Part II
In part two, we contiue examining the many different laminates available and the differences between them.
Matching the Materials to the Job: Part I
This is part one of a two-part series addressing the importance of having the right materials for the job.
Benefits of Vehicle Wrapping
Need some help selling vehicle wraps? Trade groups, sign shops and market researchers have ammunition to help you seal the deal.
The Art of Laminating: Tips to cold laminating Part II
We have discussed loading the laminates in part one. Now comes the nerve-racking part where you have to laminate a print in hopes that everything will go smoothly. In other words, no air bubbles and no wrinkles or else it’s back to the printing stage.
The Art of Laminating- Tips to cold laminating - Part I
Laminating is a learn-as-you-go process, where a few pointers can help ease the pain of the learning curve.
The Art of Laminating Part 3 - Making the investment
Before you make the investment, you have to consider both your present needs and your future needs. The purchase of a laminator is similar to that of purchasing a car. A lot of decisions need to be made as to what bells and whistles come with the various models.
The Art of Laminating Part 2 - Understanding your materials
This is part two of a three-part series on Laminating.
The Art of Laminating
Part 1 - The Basics of Lamination