Laminating Roll Film

Schools, hospitals, print shops and offices big and small laminate to protect and preserve everything from documents and teaching materials to menus and posters. Roll laminators are often the go-to because they’re user-friendly, fast and efficient, plus they give you the freedom to tackle a wider range of projects. When you laminate often and a higher quantity, they can save you time and money too.

But with so many different types of lamination film available, it’s understandable to feel a little…uncertain. Knowing these basics will help you better understand laminating film options and feel more confident.

What are the different types of laminating roll film?

Thermal vs Pressure-Sensitive Laminating Film

What are you laminating? That's an important factor. Maybe the most important. Some laminating films are activated by heat to create a seal. Called thermal laminating film, they can vary with the temperature required to activate them, and they're the perfect solution for durable documents that aren't heat sensitive. ("Activate" is when the adhesive melts and seals the laminating film.)

But heat-sensitive documents such as select photographs and thermal or waxed-based prints, don’t like heat whatsoever, so you wouldn’t want to risk damaging them with thermal laminating film. That's where pressure-sensitive laminating film comes into play, also known as cold laminating film. As your photograph feeds through the laminator, the pressure of the rollers seals your film’s adhesive, rather than heat, to create that protective surface.

School vs Premium vs Low Melt Laminating Roll Film

School laminating roll film activates at 280–300°F and is typically the choice when laminating porous paper stocks, such as regular bond paper, teaching aids and posters. School film is the most common choice of, you guessed it, schools.

Premium laminating roll film activates at a much lower temperature — 230–250°F — so it’s safer for older documents, coated stock and prints with heavy ink coverage. This film’s transparency tends to be a bit clearer and crisper too. It’s primarily the choice of businesses that utilize narrow format laminators, such as print shops and corporations.

Low melt laminating roll film activates at the lowest temperature of the three — 180–220°F. Available for wide format only, it provides high clarity and protection for heat-sensitive inkjet images. Dedicated graphics and print shops tend to be the only users of low melt film.

How do I choose the right laminating film?

Knowing what film size fits your roll laminator is your first step to choosing the right laminating film option. Roll widths can vary between 12 inches and 79 inches, so double-check the sizes that fit your laminator.

Another key factor is what type of film your laminator accepts: thermal, pressure sensitive or even both. And how about the projects you have planned? Are the items you want to laminate safe with a higher or lower heat — or no heat at all?

Your project will also help you determine the thickness of laminating film you want or need. The higher the mil number, the more rigid and less flexible your final document will be. Roll film ranges from about 1 mil up to 11 mil.

Lastly, what finish do you want your laminated documents to have — glossy, matte, textured or with more of a luster?

Find the right roll film for your laminator.

Need help selecting roll film compatible with your laminator? With our laminating film buying guide, simply select your GBC machine for the perfect film.

Lamination Film Guide