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"Mil"
"Mil" is the industry term for thickness of laminating film. Typical
thickness' in the industry are 1.5, 3, 5, 7, and 10 mil. 1.5 mil is the thinnest film with 10
mil being the thickest film. Lamination pouches are identified as a 3, 5, 7, or 10-mil
product, which means you have the same thickness of film on both sides.
Example: A 5-mil pouch has the overall thickness of 10 mil when laminated.
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Microns
Another method of determining the film thickness.
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Conversion Chart
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| Microns |
Mil Thickness |
Thousands of an Inch Thickness |
| 37 |
1.5 Mil |
.0015" |
| 75 |
3 Mil |
.003" |
| 125 |
5 Mil |
.005" |
| 175 |
7 Mil |
.007" |
| 250 |
10 Mil |
.010" |
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Polyester
Polyester is the substance in laminating film which provides strength, gloss,
and durability. When ordering laminating film, it is important to know the make-up of the
film: the more polyester you have in the film the clearer the laminating will be. The
overall thickness can be further defined by the film make-up. Example: A 10-mil film can
be 7/3 or a 4/6. Both numbers add up to 10, which is the overall thickness mil of the
film. The first number represents the polyester in the film. In this case, a 7/3 has 70%
polyester compared to a 4/6, which has 40%. The more polyester in the film the more
expensive the laminating pouch or roll will cost. However, your laminating will be clearer
with a 7/3 than a 4/6.
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Resin (Polyethylene)
Along with polyester, resin is the other substance that gives laminating film
its bonding properties. In the mil description, the second number in the film indicates
the amount of resin in film.
Example: A 10 mil (7/3) film has 70% polyester and 30% resins for bonding.
For items that are going to receive heavy handling you may need a high resin
film such as a 4/6 versus a 7/3
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Lamination Pouch
A lamination pouch is a lamination product that has a front and a back where an
insert may be placed for laminating. A seal is what holds the film together, allowing an
insert to be placed between the film parts prior to laminating. The seal is 1/8 wide and
may be on the longest or shortest side of the pouch. On a letter size pouch (9" x
11-1/2") the seal is on the 9" side. This would be considered a short sealed
pouch.
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Custom/ Special Size Pouch
Any pouch which is not listed in our standard sizes. A special pouch also may be
defined as any pouch on which a seal, slotting, printing, or other special features are
required.
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Clear Pouch Laminate
Where laminated document will appear clear and glossy. This film is available
in:
- 3mil– (2/1)
- 5mil– (3/2)
- 7mil– (5/2)
- 10mil–(4/6)
- 10mil–(7/3)
- (For roll laminators a 1.5 mil is available)
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Butterfly Pouch
A pouch that is formed by cutting the pouch size from a single sheet of
laminating film. Unlike a laminated pouch a butterfly pouch doesn’t have a seal but a
score to fold the front and back over insert. (see butterfly pouch product line)
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Matte/Writeable Film
Laminating film that can be written on. This film will also reduce the glare of
light to enhance scanning of bar codes or reduce glare from a photo.
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Multi-Part Lamination Pouch
Made up of laminating film (Pet) which can manufacture closed or with an open
format to add additional items like photos, names, etc. (see multi–part I.D. Badge
product section)
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PVC Card
Hard plastic card used with video imaging systems. Can be made up of 100% PVC
material or a composite material which allows card to bend without breaking.
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Core Sizes
The cardboard core that laminating film is rolled on. The normal industry size
cores used in roll laminators are 1", 2-1/4" and 3".
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Adhesive Backed Pouches
An aggressive pressure sensitive backed film with a release liner, when removed
the laminated insert may be applied to a surface.
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Barcode Mask
A rectangular area which covers up a bar code on insert from being read or
duplicated. Bar masks are printed in two colors–red or black. A black bar mask
prevents the bar code to be read with the human eye but, will allow scanning equipment to
read the bar code. Bar Code Masks add security to your system.
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Magnetic Stripe
Stripes that can be encoded with specific information that can not be read with
the human eye. This is a security feature where cards have to be scanned for time and
attendance or access to secure areas. There are two types of stripes–
"low-coercity" or "high coercity" These stripes are available in
3/8" or 1/2" wide. Contact your equipment supplier to determine is best for your
magnetic stripe needs.
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All Photo Well
This is a die cut area which appears in insert which is 1–3/4" x
2– 3/4". This allows a photo to be inserted into this area allowing the surface
of the pouch to laminate flat.
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Standard Photo Well
Is 1" x 1–1/4" in size allowing for I.D. Picture to be inserted.
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Die Cutter
Equipment needed to die cut photos to specific size.
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Pouch Laminator
Used for laminating standard size laminated pouches. (see product section) Pouch
Laminators can be divided into two classifications– two or four roller machines.
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Roll Laminator
Uses wide rolls of film to laminate items. (see product section)
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Four Roller Laminator
Rollers in laminator are used for the following reasons:
- Removes air in laminated pouches to reduce air pockets
- Uniformly spreads the resin, (the bonding material) to properly seal a laminated
pouch.
(Generally – a four roller laminator provides much better finished
laminated product then laminators which only have two).
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Two Roller Laminator
Rollers in laminator are used for the following reasons:
- Removes air in laminated pouches to reduce air pockets
- Uniformly spreads the resin, (the bonding material) to properly seal a laminated
pouch.
(Generally – a two roller laminator is a personal or home use laminator only.).
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Hologram
Multi–Dimensional image which when applied to the inside of a laminate film
provides added protection from abrasion, ultraviolet light, dye migration. The major
benefit results in protection from counterfeiting and alteration of the documents.
Standard size is 1" x 1". Minimum run for holograms is 2500pcs with a $375.00 tooling charge and $0.52 for each pouch.
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Inserts
Term used for item inserted into laminated pouch. Inserts may be on paper stock,
which requires a minimum of 1/8 smaller than out side dimensions of laminated pouch. Lamination Station
has insert material called Teslin that looks like paper but is a film material. An
1/8" is not required around insert which can be the same size as pouch.
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Accessory Terms
Plastic Buckle Strap
Single or double lock molded plastic strap used with luggage tags.
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Leather Strap
Works like a belt buckle. may vary in color due to natural inconsistency of
leather (used with luggage tags).
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Plastic Loops
Continuous loop also called spaghetti straps or worm straps. To use– insert
one end in slot and back through loop and pull tight.
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Vinyl Badge Strap/Clips
Thin, flexible plastic strap, clear in color. (see our accessory product page)
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Adhesive Pins/Clips
Square metal pad with adhesive on. Has paper peel off to reveal adhesive. (see
our accessory product page)
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Pin/Clip Combo
Rectangular plastic or metal base with alligator teeth with safety pin mounted
crosswise on clip. Has adhesive back with release liner. (see our accessory product page)
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Bead Chain
Nickel-plated stainless steel chains used to hold I.D. Badges around neck. (see
our accessory product page)
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Lanyards
Cloth ropes which hold I.D. Badges around neck. (see our accessory product page)
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Vinyl Badge Holders
Product made with heavy vinyl clear film sealed on three sides which allows for
inserts to be inserted and later removed. (see product offering)
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