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Why does cardboard packaging need lamination?

Jan 27, 2023

Lamination helps to make the cardboard surface more resistant to external influences. The technology provides for the application of a protective transparent film on the packaging material. The film can be connected to the paper base by adhesive, extrusion, as well as by hot or cold application.

In the printing industry, lamination of packaging is done to increase its strength, which is necessary for reliable transportation of goods. This reduces the risk of paper deformation. And if we are talking about food containers, then after lamination they become moisture–resistant, dust-proof and make the contents (food, alcohol, beverages) resistant to natural oxidation under the influence of air, prolonging the shelf life.

Laminated cardboard and paper packaging is widely used in advertising printing, because it looks neat. There are no fingerprints left on it, it is glossy and beautiful. At the same time, the protective film strengthens the walls of boxes, bags and containers, increasing their service life. Such packaging products have a more presentable appearance compared to ordinary paper, therefore they are widely in demand, especially for branded and expensive goods, as well as in the restaurant business.

Cardboard lamination methods

The method of cold application involves the use of a laminator. With its help, the film is attached to the cardboard under pressure. Hot lamination is carried out through the activation of the adhesive base by heating it and fixing the film on cardboard under a press. In this case, the binder can be different and be in a different aggregate state.

For example, if a hot wax or hot melt method is used, then the adhesive composition is applied only to one substrate. With the help of wax, you can also laminate aluminum foil for containers for pastries and desserts.

Lamination can be done wet or dry. When wet, the binder on the surface of the cardboard is in a liquid state. When dry, it is dried after application in the drying chamber.

During extrusion lamination, the film and the substrate are connected by applying hot melt between them through a gap.

Film fixing technology

Lamination can be one-sided or two-sided. For this purpose, two types of machines are used: batch and roll. The former are designed for hot, and the latter for cold and hot lamination.

During batch lamination, cardboard sheets are placed in a laminator and a protective film is applied to them. The temperature regime for heating the plate is set. When the desired temperature is reached, the laminator is switched to the broaching and pressing mode. Then the laminated blank comes out of the machine and waits for cooling. After that, its edges of the sheets are cut to the desired shape.

In the roll laminator, paper and film are fed for heating and pressing directly from the rolls. Before heating, an adhesive base is applied to the film.

Types of film for lamination

The film for paper lamination can be different. Its choice depends on the nature and purpose of the future cardboard packaging. For example, for the delivery of fast food, glossy or matte is enough, and for handmade products or branded products – you can not limit yourself in experiments.

To preserve the juiciness, brightness of the color of the package and create a glare effect on it, choose a glossy film. It gives a scratch-resistant lacquer surface.
The matte film does not create glare, but it looks more expensive and refined due to the velvety surface. It is pleasant to the touch, perfect for drawing drawings.
It is also allowed to use textured film for the original design. It creates an imitation of any material on the surface of cardboard packages: stone, wood, leather and others.
The film with a holographic effect is suitable for holiday packaging.
Metallized and foiled coating gives the packaging personality.
For the subsequent printing of advertising information on top of lamination, suitable films are selected for this.