There are those who often ask why laminating is still needed in the wide-format world, given thatinks are more durable and colours and appearance generally brighter than they were a few years ago. But laminates today go far beyond merely offering a protective layer to a finished job, instead playing more of an overall role in the intended end use of an application by adding visual value as well as merely extending life expectancy.

Laminating has been a key element of applications printed with aqueous-based printers and many of those produced using a solvent or latex formulation. Today, options have grown with liquid lamination proving to be a strong alternative to roll-fed film units, while the RollsRoller flat-bed system continues to be popular for use with flexible and rigid materials.

Aqueous-based output which is going to carry longevity needs some kind of extra layer to give it the necessary protection. And many of us remember the sceptics who decided that eco-solvent inks were a bit of sham, demonstrating how easy it was to use a cleaning product to show how easily the ink could be smeared and, even, wiped off the surface of the material. Lamination has long provided a simple solution for protecting graphics and, even with more durable inks, it still plays a role in display production.

Inks, material surfaces and coatings to help with adhesion have all improved as the wide-format digital fraternity has sought greater life expectancy for indoor and outdoor prints. But the development of over-laminates hasn’t stood still in the past few years, with more efficient machines being complemented by diverse materials available to protect prints and, in some cases, enable media to be used for applications which hitherto might not have been possible.

Typical examples where lamination is vital from a protective perspective include vehicle graphics, wraps and floor displays, but its effectiveness has far more to bring to the party. In the past couple of years there has been a marked increase in the number of laminating films coming to market which offer textures and a tactile finish. From a display producer’s stance, this enables different effects to be created in an application post-print, thereby not requiring a specialist base material that needs to behave itself when having ink applied to its surface. Appearance, too, can be enhanced considerably with laminates and coatings adding impact and, even, masking slight discrepancies in print-head behaviour and improving visual quality to a flat-looking print on a low-grade material.

Over-laminates can also carry a specific function as well as obvious protection from UV light, scuffs and scratches, with products that offer anti-slip finishes for floor graphics and anti-microbial properties for hospitals and laboratories. Thermoforming capabilities come into play, too, with flexible coatings essential for wrapping vehicles and other shaped items that can be decorated with self-adhesive films.

The wide-format digital print market is pretty passionate about longevity but, despite the guarantees of inks and materials, no-one can predict how well a final job will cope in its final location. "If an application is for a very short-term campaign and unlikely to meet bad weather or, say, the talents of a graffiti artist, then a print might not need additional protection," says Sarah Fenna, sales and operations director at Signmaster Systems, a UK reseller of Roland DG andMimaki systems. "But no display producer or sign-maker wants to run the risk of a client complaining about scuffing and fading, so it makes sense to factor in lamination to the cost of even the most straightforward job wherever life expectancy is important. It isn't expensive and can make all the difference to the customer’s expectations."

"Safeguarding printed images isn't just about UV protection," adds Peter Davison, business and commercial director at Landor UK. "Durable ink-jet solutions are frequently being used in more challenging environments, such as high footfall retail applications where there is an increased risk of abrasion and damage to the ink and substrate from everyday use. Using liquid protective coatings really isn't just about UV protection; it has the other essential benefits of protecting both the ink and substrate in potentially damaging environments without compromising the quality or appearance of the finished job."

There is little doubt that lamination is far from being an unnecessary add-on to a printer's armoury; its use is thriving in the wide-format digital world. In terms of appearance and protection, this finishing process can increase visual appeal and longevity of the job, complementing existing print technologies and associated inks and materials.