Why Buying An Industrial Laminating Machine Isn’t Necessary

So, you need an industrial laminating machine—or, you think you do. Does the scale of your project really constitute an industrial machine? What are your options if you do? And is investing in your own personal equipment really necessary? At Conversion Technologies International, we hear questions like these all the time. And now… we’re ready to answer them.

What is the best industrial laminating machine?

It’s hard to say what exactly is the “best” industrial laminating machine—the answer depends on your business’s needs. You’ll find a number of different industrial laminators on the market. Think wide format laminating machines, large format laminating machines, smaller machines. You’ll even find machines meant for smaller, craftier projects. They’re quite different from what you need for industrial purposes!

Essentially, “best” has little to do with one machine being better or worse than the other. Rather, it’s about which machine matches your plans. While it’s good to know there are so many options on the market, choosing the right one may feel a bit more challenging. That’s just one reason why some business owners choose to work with a third party manufacturer.

The benefits of outsourcing to a third party manufacturer are manifold. However, one perk right out of the proverbial gate is that an experienced third party has what you need and knows what you need. You don’t have to pick and choose for yourself. Rather, your manufacturing partner can consult with you, determine whether or not you’re a fit for each other, and select the equipment necessary.

If you choose the right third party, you may also have more options. Some third party manufacturers diversify with multiple processes and machines available. You’re not limited to one type of project—and you don’t have to personally invest in multiple machines. Working with a third party solves multiple problems at once—including those below.

What are the other benefits of outsourcing lamination?

Broadly, the benefits of outsourcing your lamination needs include:

• As highlighted above, one of the great things about outsourcing is that you don’t have to buy your own equipment. You also don’t have to hire and train your own permanent employees! When you work with a company like CTI, you’re saving money in the long term—while maintaining quality.
• When approaching a process with which you’re less familiar, you’ll inevitably experience some trial and error. A third party manufacturer has the experience required to avoid this, delivering the results you need more efficiently and quickly.
• Here’s the thing about running a business (as you probably already know!): It takes up a lot of your time. The less time you have to spend worrying about lamination, the more time you can devote to other aspects of your company. By working with a competent and advanced third party, you’ll save your energy and focus on what you can attack on your own.

Is there a way to laminate without an industrial laminator?

Good question! Technically speaking, you can laminate products without an industrial laminating machine. However, this takes the process down a step-by-step craft. You have to use an adhesive, whether it’s literally tape or special adhesive paper, and manually apply it to the paper. In that way, you’re laminating the paper… but not in a manner that’s at all sustainable for larger scale projects. Even smaller projects require a machine of some kind.

Keep in mind, one of the most important aspects of running a business is scaling. As your business grows, you’ll need to scale production up. At the same time, you don’t want to lose out on quality or overspend. (In truth, laminating products by hand usually costs more than using a machine in the long term!)

If you want to laminate products for business purposes, you’ll inevitably require a commercial laminating machine. The most important thing to consider as you begin consulting with a third party—or setting out on your own—is which machine. Leave laminating by hand to the hobby crafters.

What are the different types of laminating machines?

We’ve touched on the fact that there are multiple types of laminating machines. The two main categories are at-home laminators or individual laminators and industrial laminating machines. As the name suggests, at-home laminators service those small-scale projects we discussed above. You use an industrial laminating machine for, well, industrial orders.

Some of the most common industrial laminating machine processes include:

• Heated roller. This laminator uses hot rollers–one on top and one on the bottom—to apply melted glue onto film. We heat the glue, initially room temperature, to melt. Upon cooling, it solidifies. Usually, you’ll use this machine for photos and other printed materials, and it’s ideal for commercial use due to its cost efficiency.
• Pouch laminator. A smaller machine for smaller projects, the machine uses a pouch coated with heat-activated film to apply the adhesive. This works perfectly for laminated IDs and products with magnetic strips.
• Cold roller. With this process, we first remove a glossy finish, after which we apply an adhesive. It utilizes small rollers and plastic film, and it’s most often used for large signs.

Conclusion:

Remember, you don’t have to make a decision regarding an industrial laminating machine on your own. Once you partner with a company like CTI, you’ll access not only our manufacturing services, but our expertise as well. It all starts with that first consultation. Contact us here or call  419-924-5566. Let’s begin the process.