Laminating (often referred to in the industry as “mounting” or “lining”) is a professional bookbinding and printing technique that involves permanently bonding (gluing) two different materials—typically a thinner, printed sheet of paper to a thicker, more durable substrate, most commonly corrugated or solid board.
This process combines aesthetic advantages (high-quality printing and surface finishes on the outer paper layer) with the structural and protective properties of thick cardboard.
How does the laminating process work?
- Preparation of the top layer (cover): High-quality graphics are printed on thin paper (e.g., coated paper), which can undergo additional finishing (such as matte or gloss lamination, UV varnishing, or embossing).
- Adhesive application: Using specialized machinery (laminators/mounters), adhesive (dispersion or hot-melt) is applied evenly to the base substrate (e.g., a sheet of corrugated board).
- Bonding and pressing: The printed sheet is precisely positioned onto the board, and the assembly passes through pressure rollers that eliminate air bubbles and ensure a strong, permanent bond between the materials.
Key advantages of laminating
- Superior visual quality: It enables the creation of thick, damage-resistant packaging that looks exceptionally elegant and professional, thanks to precise offset printing.
- Structural reinforcement: Combining thin paper with thick corrugated board (e.g., F, E, or B flute) results in rigid packaging that offers excellent protection for heavy or delicate products. Versatility of finishes: Advanced finishing effects (such as gold leaf, hot stamping, and embossing) can be easily applied to the outer layer—processes that are difficult or impossible to execute directly on raw corrugated board.
Applications of lamination (mounting)
- Laminated packaging (E-commerce and Premium): Boxes for luxury cosmetics, alcohol, electronics, or gift sets.
- Displays and POS (Point of Sale) materials: Advertising stands, retail displays, and cardboard units for supermarkets that must be lightweight and stable while also attracting attention with colorful graphics.
- Board games and puzzles: Game boards and sturdy puzzle boxes are produced using the process of laminating paper onto a cardboard substrate.