Laminated Label Possibilities Abound

In the battle against moisture and wear-and-tear, lamination clearly serves and protects.

By Maggie DeWitt

Application is the alpha and the omega of any label sale. From the top ply to the adhesive, where and how a product will be utilized determines the solution. So when your customers mention "outdoor" and "excessive handling," think laminated.

Laminating film is designed to seal and protect printing ink from damage and increase its longevity. It's also used to make paper label stock weather-resistant and weather-resistant stock—such as vinyl and polyester—even more durable.

Bill Bohning, president of Label Works, Mankato, Minn., explained that laminated labels typically contain static information. "Laminating film is not a suitable writing surface. Like writing on plastic, most markers get bubbly or pool-up, and ink simply wipes off."

While some end-users have been known to use permanent marker on overlaminates, the practice is not condoned by manufacturers.

According to Tracy Thornsberry, marketing coordinator for Discount Labels, New Albany, Ind., "Laminated labels can be used for any purpose that a regular pressure-sensitive label is used for, but they're particularly effective when the label will be exposed to elements like water, grease, oil and chemicals."

For this reason, they are ideal for numerous industrial applications—including service labels on engines, production machinery and lawn and garden equipment. Computers, vending machines and audio equipment frequently sport laminated labels as well.

Using an overlaminate on numbered products is a matter of practicality as well as durability. "Using unprotected, consecutively-numbered labels risks damage to those labels that will get more wear-and-tear than others. It's going to be very difficult finding someone to produce just those few replacement labels," Bohning explained.

Seal the Deal

Potential laminated label sales exist in every business and industry. "Whenever a label is going to be handled frequently—say on the front of a training manual—a protective laminate will increase its durability," said Thornsberry.