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Selecting The Right Laminator It's wise to be discriminating when |
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Why don't these outside resources want your business? One reason is that trade laminators often focus on higher-volume jobs. And it is costly to set up a large laminator for any given job. Another reason trade laminators shy away from digital graphics is because they don't know how your materials will react to lamination. They may be wary of ruining such costly graphics. If you do send work outside, make sure your provider knows how to handle your output. It's a bad sign if you have to define the terms "inkjet" and "electrostatic" for your vendor. Send along some rejects to be test-laminated for your approval first. Also, agree with your vendor in advance on who will pay if the image is ruined during finishing. Some trade laminators will take responsibility for your materials. Others will only do the work at your risk. Some trade laminators are very good at finishing digital images, but be prepared to pay handsomely for their services. Digital graphics generally require much higher quality laminating films than traditionally printed graphics do. For example, digital graphics require low-temperature films with high clarity, more aggressive adhesives, and high polyester content for strong bonding with less risk of stretching and wrinkling. When you send out a job that is just one piece the cost per piece can seem exorbitant. Fast turnaround is also critical. Many of your customers and prospects will be driven to buy digital images for the same reasons they buy fast food: "I want choices, I want it my way, and I want it right now!" |
What kinds of images will I be
laminating? If you're just getting into large-format digital graphics, the first and most important step in selecting the right big-format color imaging system -- including the laminator -- is deciding what markets you are aiming for and what kinds of images you are likely to need. In order to pick the right equipment, you must have an idea who your customers are going to be and what kinds of images they will buy. It is true that technology-driven companies can succeed by developing new products and services, and then developing new markets. But even this process requires some ability to look at a world of potential new customers, and then guess which segments are most likely to want particular products. Too many imaging systems are sitting idle while their owners wait in vain for the world to beat a path to their door. Once you have an idea of what you want your imaging system and your laminator to do, you are already most of the way to making a good decision.
Should I use hot or cold laminates? |
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