There are two special supply items that a Evolis laminating card printer requires: laminate and composite PVC-PET cards. In order for your printer to add a protective layer of lamination to your cards during the printing process, you'll need to keep it loaded with a roll of laminate, also referred to as lamination or overlamination. There are a number of laminate options, from clear to holographic, patch to full-coverage overlay. Talk with your account manager at ID Wholesaler to determine which option is the best fit for you.
Rather than standard 100% PVC cards, you'll want to choose composite PVC-PET cards for your laminating Evolis printer. Composite PVC-PET cards are the same size and look the same as standard PVC cards, but are more durable. More importantly, they are more resistant to the high heat used in the lamination process. Standard PVC cards will warp from the intense heat when laminating, composite cards will not.
One of the benefits of a laminating printer is the versatility it has to offer! There are a number of laminate options that your laminating card printer can use interchangeably.
Clear vs. holographic laminate: Clear laminate is your basic go-to lamination. It is available in 0.6 or 1.0 mil thicknesses, with the thicker option offering more durability. Holographic laminate provides added card security, as the holograms cannot be fraudulently duplicated. You have two options when it comes to holographic laminate: standard or custom. Both provide the same holographic effect, however standard holographic laminate is available on the open market and therefore doesn't offer the same level of security as a custom holographic laminate.
Patch vs. overlay laminate: Another consideration when it comes to laminate is patch vs. full-coverage overlay. Patch laminate does not cover the full card, but it is thicker and more durable. Overlay laminate covers the entire card, but is thinner and less durable than patch laminate.
Laminates are also available specifically for use with magnetic stripe cards and smart chip cards.
