What A Wide Format Laminator Can Do For You

Curious about finding the right wide format laminator for your business needs?

Here’s a quick hack: You don’t actually have to invest in your own laminator.

In fact, it’s sometimes a better idea to work with a third party manufacturer like Conversion Technologies International. You won’t know until you learn more about laminators, however—and we can help with that, too. Let’s walk through the basics. Get to know your lamination options first. From there, it’s a lot easier to decide whether or not outsourcing is the right fit for you.

Let’s begin!

What size laminator is best?

There isn’t a universally perfect laminator size for every project. While a larger wide format laminator may be perfect for some products, it won’t match every product. Typically, you’ll want to lean more toward a wider laminator than a slimmer one. You can use a wider laminator on smaller products, but you can’t expand a smaller laminator to accommodate a larger product. The best wide format laminator is one that offers you flexibility—because keep in mind, you might have to change your plans as your business evolves.

Do I have to buy my own wide format laminator?

As you explore different types of laminating machines, ask yourself about how many variations of products you’ll laminate, and how often you’ll laminate them. You may find this difficult to predict. For some business owners, this brings up a different question: Is it a better idea to invest in my own commercial laminating machine, or is it better to work with a contract manufacturing company? While you may initially envision handling lamination in house, a large laminating service could be a great alternative.

While you’re free to invest in your own wide format laminator, in this day and age more and more companies gravitate towards third parties. A third party manufacturer can offer everything from laminating services to hot melt coating. That means you can have multiple tasks outsourced through the same company. It really just depends on what you’re looking for!

How do I get my products laminated?

As previously mentioned, you can invest in your own wide format laminator. But, if you decide to outsource instead, you have a couple of main options.

These include contract manufacturing and toll manufacturing. When you initially consider these options, they may seem fairly similar—and they are. However, you’ll notice a couple of key differences.

When you select a contract manufacturer, you’ll sign an agreement that ensures they handle the project from beginning to end. While you’ll consult with the company ahead of time to ensure you’re comfortable with everything happening, you’re overall hands-off. The manufacturer not only has the equipment, facilities, and employees—they’ll also provide the raw materials. For many business owners, this is what they initially expect from third party manufacturing.

The main alternative to contract manufacturing is toll manufacturing. Similarly, a toll manufacturer handles the production. You don’t have to provide any equipment, don’t need to secure the facilities, and won’t have to hire any individual employees. But, you can provide the raw materials.

Why do some business owners choose toll manufacturing over contract manufacturing? Because it allows you a bit more involvement, for one thing. If you’d rather maintain an extra level of control, maintaining ownership of the raw materials may provide some security. Additionally, if you have a preferred provider, you can personally assure the quality of the materials. You may also prefer this if you have a particular financial arrangement with your provider.

Generally speaking, both contract manufacturing and toll manufacturing offer their own benefits—neither one is a bad option. But it’s important for you to be fully aware of how both processes will work with your business. Consult with companies before making a commitment—reliable ones will have the information you need!

What is the best laminating company?

A lot of third party manufacturers offering large laminating service also offer other manufacturing methods as well. The best company for you will likely offer the flexibility you’ll require as your business grows. It’s also important to select a company that can anticipate your needs and offer close cooperation. You’re looking for not only a service provider, but a partner as well.

At CTI, we offer experience and open communication. You don’t have to jump into an agreement quickly. We’ll answer your questions and ensure you’re fully in the know and certain about your needs. Plus, we have the benefit of experience and are easy to reach in Ohio, while working with companies across the United States.

Along with that experience, you get a broad range of services. You don’t need to worry about purchasing a large laminator for sale when you work with us—and whether you’re looking for a 10′ wide coating machine or something larger (or smaller) we have options. We know you can’t always predict exactly what you’ll need, and we’ll customize your experience, and we can advise you on the best wide format laminator for your project.

Conclusion:

It’s done! We’ve covered your basic lamination options, and now you know what working with a third party might look like. To learn more, we recommend reaching out to an experienced manufacturer directly. At CTI, we go beyond the nuts and bolts of processing. We’ll answer your questions and offer suggestions about how to get the best possible results.

Start by contacting us here, or calling us at 419-924-5566. Let’s go from theory to reality.