For even more durability than lamination can give, this process completely encloses the sheet in tough polyester available in a range of thicknesses and finishes.
Encapsulation is much more robust than lamination even the thinnest film (75 micron each side) is around three times thicker than lamination film. Polyester film, which is the core material for encapsulation film, is also much tougher than OPP film, having much higher tear-resistance and chemical-resistance. As its name suggests, encapsulation usually completely encloses the printed sheet, which means it can be wiped clean many times.
Encapsulation can also be used as a thicker form of lamination, for example to produce business cards or membership cards, and it is possible to screen-print a signature strip onto the encapsulation. Like lamination, it is available in Gloss, Matt and Ultra Matt finishes.
Encapsulation is ideally suited to very short run work because it can be done manually assuring virtually zero spoilage. We always recommend it as against lamination for one-offs.
We stock three thicknesses of encapsulation film:
75 Micron
Often used when durability is required but also economy, and when the job must not be too bulky. Ideal for posters and manual pages.
125 Micron
Perfect for menus as it is thin enough to fold but thick enough to spring open to 90 degrees and so stand alone.
250 Micron
Thickness comparable to a credit card, and we would always recommend that the corners be rounded for safety reasons.
Tips to Get the Best Encapsulated Job
Digital print
usually works well, but dark solids will not always take the adhesive. We do not have the same options with encapsulation as we have with lamination, so if your job contains solids, you will probably need to do a test or to just print it litho
Thick boards
will stop the rollers from nipping the film together fully at the sides of the sheet, causing an unsatisfactory bubble.
Individual or prized items
we are unable to guarantee the results of one-offs, especially as very often they have been kept rolled up or folded. If you can, roll your sheet out or unfold it for a couple of days before it is to be encapsulated. And please do not ask us to process something which is priceless!
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