Laminating films are made of a base material called BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene). This material is highly sought after for its foldable, soft, recyclable, and easy-to-write and clean characteristics. It is also a cost-effective solution. The lamination process involves coating the adhesive on the film and then wet or dry bonding it to the product's surface.
Sometimes, BOPP is laminated with an aluminum coating to improve its performance. These films are very durable and offer excellent moisture resistance. They also have the added benefit of clarity, making them ideal for retail packaging. With various shades, thicknesses, and finishes available, these films can enhance the visual appeal of a product.
Other common uses include packaging of pesticide products and hygiene and personal care products. Today, most overlamination films are made of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). This plastic is stretched in two directions to improve strength, water resistance, and sometimes clarity. The lamination film is made of a base film such as polyester or PVC and then coated with an adhesive.
Adhesives can be activated by thermal heat or high pressure. The coated film is wrapped around a cardboard core and loaded into the roll laminator. Sometimes a combination of PET plastic, EVA plastic, and polyethylene (PE) plastic is used together. NAP I is a standard-type laminating film that activates at 290°F while NAP II is a low-temperature film that activates at 230°F.
The hardest outer layer is usually made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic and the softer inner layer is usually made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic. Another lamination process involves mixing several polymer films with other films, sheets, papers, etc., with a polymeric bonding agent. This method is not commonly used in laminating films but some films may contain some PE plastic.
