Laminating Printers
Have Questions about Laminating IDP Printers? We Have Answers!
What Supplies Will I Need for My Laminating IDP Printer?
There are two special supply items that IDP laminating printers require: 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 laminating IDP card printers. 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.
Why Would I Need to Laminate My Plastic Cards?
What Lamination Options are Available with Laminating IDP Card Printers?
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.
Should I Consider Dual-Sided Lamination?
Lamination extends the life of your card and protects from fading and dye migration. The Wise-CXD80 is available with the choice of single-sided or dual-sided lamination, while the Smart-51 offers dual-sided lamination only. Dual-sided lamination provides added flexibility to further protect both sides of your cards. If you are using a holographic laminate, it also allows you to add holograms to both sides of the card.
Choose dual-sided lamination if you want to protect both sides of your cards or if you want to add holographic images to both card surfaces.