Selection checklist
Cold laminating film
A cold overlaminate goes over a printed surface; it is not the same as the printable face of an adhesive label. Choose it with the ink and base material, then check the combined construction. This page is a selection checklist: an RT model and current specification must be confirmed with the team.
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| Decision | What to provide | What to inspect |
|---|---|---|
| Printed base | Face material, ink system and intended drying/curing stage | Ink change, trapped bubbles, haze and attachment to the print. |
| Finish | Gloss/matt preference and reference appearance | Colour, clarity and barcode readability under normal viewing light. |
| Converting | Laminator, finished dimensions and roll handling | Curl, tension marks, die-cut behaviour and edge lift. |
| Use conditions | Rubbing, cleaning, indoor/outdoor exposure and required life | A trial agreed for the combined print and laminate, not film alone. |
Start with the printed stack
Provide a printed sample as well as the substrate name. State the ink system and the finish already on the surface. A laminate may look clear on an unprinted film yet behave differently over an ink layer. Keep the printed control so the effect of adding the laminate can be compared.
- Distinguish a protective overlaminate from a printable self-adhesive film.
- Include any varnish or other layer between print and laminate.
- Ask whether the proposed grade is supplied with a liner or self-wound; do not assume the construction.
Use the grade's processing instructions
Cold lamination uses a pressure-sensitive system rather than relying on a heat-activated adhesive. The required pressure, tension and any permitted heat assist still depend on the material and equipment. Obtain the instructions for the proposed grade instead of copying a setting from a different supplier's film.
- Agree the print drying or curing stage before lamination.
- Inspect bubbles, silvering or haze and record when they are assessed.
- Recheck the final label on the intended container, including curves and edges.
Confirm the model before making a specification
No cold-laminate model is published here because the reviewed RT records do not yet support one. Send the required finish, roll format and printed substrate so the team can confirm a construction and sample. Thickness, stock, dispatch timing and protective performance are not implied by this enquiry route.
- Send a close photo of any existing laminate defect.
- Specify the intended handling and exposure rather than asking for universal protection.
- Compare agreed sample conditions before ordering.
Sources and scope
No confirmed RT construction is listed on this page. General references describe the material category, not the performance or availability of an RT grade.