Encapsulation
Encapsulation is the process of covering and sealing printed paper or board with a tough waterproof, plastic film. This gives a professional looking finish and helps to strengthen the encapsulated item, potentially improving its useful life.
To achieve a fully waterproof seal, an overlap is usually left around the edge. The film is bonded to the items surface so this overlap can be trimmed off if waterproofing is not required.
Common uses for encapsulated sheets include maps, menus, sales presenters, display graphics, ID badges, banners, aides - memoire and many, many others.
Sheet to be encapsulated should be supplied cut to size and fully collated if in sets or sequences. Please do not interleave sets. If there is more than one thickness in a set e.g. a catalogue please supply covers separate.
Sheets can be creased, drilled, slot punched, eyeleted, strutted, glue or velcro tabbed. They are also suitable for platten cutting or ram punching though we do not offer these last two services.
| Minimum size | 54mm x 86mm |
| Maximum size | 1000mm x 3000mm |
| Minimum paper thickness | 40gsm |
| Maximum paper thickness | 700gsm |
| Minimum run length | 1 |
| Maximum run | No maximum |
Available gauges
| Gauge | Finish | Result |
| 40 micron | gloss only | Very flexible |
| 75 micron | gloss only | Flexible |
| 125 micron | gloss only | Less flexible |
| 175 micron | gloss only | Semi rigid |
| 250 micron | gloss only | Quite rigid similar to a credit card |
Thickness guide
| Thickness (not to scale) | Gauge |
 |
Credit Card 800 micron |
|
2x 250 micron |
|
2x 175 micron |
|
2x 125 micron |
|
2x 75 micron |
|
2x 40 micron |
WARNINGS Previously laminated or varnished sheets will give a poorer but usually adequate bond strength. Bond strength may be reduced if sheets are laser printed, particularly over areas of solid colour. Avoid laser printing solid colours to bleed. Similarly silk screen solids give very poor adhesion. Some synthetic and resin coated substrates (ink jet media) react to the heat of the process by rippling. Best quality is achieved with litho or HP Indigo printing over paper, card or Teslin substrates. Provided we are sent overs or test material we will always do a quality test free of charge before processing any of your valuable work.
For more information, samples or a quotation please feel free to call, fax or email us.