Textured Lamination: How Does It Work? What Are My Options?

Curious about industrial lamination options? What about what separates textured lamination from more classic lamination options? Conversion Technologies International has the info you’re seeking. Read below to learn more.

What are the three main types of lamination?

When working with laminate, you’ll find three main finishes. These are separate from textured lamination, and tend to be more common. They include glossy, matte, and soft touch lamination.

• Glossy lamination. Sometimes referred to as gloss lamination, this is probably what comes to mind when you think of laminated ID cards. This lamination has a glossy, reflective finish. We usually choose it for projects wherein the product needs to be more vibrant. It provides a stylish, professional look, it’s easy to read through, and it’s highly flexible. The lamination ensures the protection and durability you want—it’s very moisture-resistant. Plus, it’s easy to clean. That being said, glossy lamination can still sustain scratches and smudging. While it’s easy to clean, you may have to clean it somewhat often. Additionally, it may wash out or fade over time when under direct sunlight.
• Matte lamination. As the name suggests, matte lamination creates a matte surface. It’s not reflective or shiny—and your preference in terms of appearance can be a matter of taste. It feels softer to the touch than glossy lamination, and its look is softer too. Although the durability of any product is subject to its usage, matte lamination can be more durable than glossy lamination in some circumstances.
• Soft touch lamination. Similar to matte lamination, but not quite the same, soft touch lamination provides the most “luxe” look. It’s mattified, but maintains a silky feeling that’s similar to paper, or even glossy lamination. Although soft touch-laminated products maintain more color saturation than they would with true matte lamination, they feature reduce glaring. Ultimately, you’ll get an extra bit of elegance while ensuring your product is as durable as possible. It’s the best of both worlds!

What is textured lamination?

The thing about laminate is that it’s naturally flat. This isn’t a problem in many cases. However, in some circumstances, you’ll want laminate to imitate the appearance and feel of textured products. Think of stone countertops or wood flooring. Laminate can provide a less expensive, easier—and quicker—to apply alternative. And textured lamination is the cherry on top that completes the look. They do this through raising or embossing the surface.

When it comes to textured lamination, some of your options include:

• Fabric or leather textured laminate. You’ll often use this for wardrobe panels or headboards, creating a soft, cushioned look and feel without breaking the bank. It’s plush, and it can even be more durable than the “real thing”.
• Metallic textured laminate. You’ll see this when businesses or homeowners want a futuristic, “techy” look. It looks like metal, and it’s quite resistant to moisture and other types of damage. However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t actual metal. It’s not going to be quite as durable. But it will be more flexible and easier to mold to surfaces that otherwise wouldn’t correspond to real metal.
• Woodgrain textured laminate. This is one of the most common types of textured laminate, and it fits a wide variety of purposes. Most often, you’ll see it in the context of flooring. It looks classic and high-quality, but you don’t have to spend what you would on wood flooring. Additionally, as time passes, it’s durable—but much easier to replace than actual wood.
• Stone textured laminate. Second perhaps only to woodgrain textured laminate in popularity, stone textured laminate mimics the look of stone surfaces like marble and granite. But once again, you don’t have to worry about sinking too much money into one product. It’s far more affordable than real stone.

What’s the difference between vinyl and lamination?

Vinyl and laminate look quite different, but they differ in their basic components. Laminate relies on the surface on which it’s applied. If you’re looking at flooring, for example, that’s typically a fiberboard. We then apply multiple layers of laminate on top of it. Originally, laminate was primarily a protective coating, and that coating quality distinguishes it from alternatives. Vinyl, in contrast, lacks that natural base. It’s completely synthetic.

Usually, we’ll recommend laminate over vinyl in terms of appearance. Products like textured lamination are quite different from paper lamination, and allow you to get the finish you want. Vinyl looks more distinctly fake—it’s clearly vinyl. But it is durable, and more water-resistant than lamination. The products are competitively priced. Ultimately, your final decision will come down to which option is better for your needs.

How do I get the results I need?

If you’re interested in textured lamination, or a variety of other manufacturing services, we recommend exploring contract manufacturing. A contract manufacturer handles third party processing. This allows you to get the results you need without investing in permanent facilities and equipment or training new hires. You’ll work with experts who know exactly how to execute services including not only lamination but cutting, slitting, and more.

At CTI, the experience you’re looking for is right there—especially when it comes to lamination. Check out this client’s story! They’re in the personal absorbent industry, and needed a laminated film for water barriers. This client specifically needed us to handle short runs, which allowed them to free up time for their equipment. Despite the unique challenges, we handled it smoothly, giving our client the product—and convenience—they were looking for.

Ready to try it for yourself? No need to google laminating services near you. Give us a call at 419-924-5566 or contact us here to begin exploring your options.