Regardless of how well we use them, laminator machines are bound to suffer from some common issues. However, if we know how to identify them, it is relatively simple to solve these common laminator problems.
Tips to Troubleshoot Common Laminator Issues:
Mentioned below are the most frequently faced issues while using a laminator and some simple tips to solve these problems.
Film Isn’t Sticking Properly: Lamination machine users often complain about not getting the film to stick properly. In general, inks that have denser coverage are more difficult to stick.
Here are some simple ways to solve this problem.
- Please remember that no film is universal, and they react differently to different machines, inks, and stocks. Therefore, you should firstly select the right film for your job.
- We often turn on the laminating machine just before we want to use them. If there are cool spots on the product, it means that the area is not hot enough for melting the adhesive. Therefore, it is always recommended to turn the machine on early.
- Before laminating, leave some time for the print to get cured. There can be issues related to sticking of the film, if you try to finish a digital print immediately.
Bubbles under the Film: There’s no single quick fix to this problem because bubbling is a combination of many factors.
- First of all, based on film specification, adjust the tension on the feed spool. Insufficient tension may lead to air getting trapped between the print and the film. Please remember that more tension is required for thicker films.
- Always ensure that the ink is dry.
- If bubbling is caused by hot spots, do not leave the machine idle for long. You may also try to reduce the temperature slightly by speeding up the laminator.
- Try reducing the nipping pressure of the heated lamination roller.
Wrinkles, Waves, or Orange Peel: If the machine is too hot, you may find fine wrinkles or waves.
- It is possible to prevent wrinkles by reducing the temperature. For any particular film, always try to stick to the recommended working temperature.
- As a quick fix, try speeding-up the laminator because reduce the time the film is in contact with the heat.
- Orange peels may also be the result of prints with solvent residues. Therefore, always use films suitable for this situation.
Prints Curling after Encapsulating: Some degree of print curl is natural, but you should be able to address it with gentle smoothing.
- This problem can be solved by adjusting the laminator tension. If the same tension is used for your top and bottom films, it is likely that the bottom will get stretched to a greater extent during lamination. This causes curling during cooling because of greater tightening.
- Curling can also happen when you use a thin film on one side and a heavy film on the other. Therefore, always use the right film on both sides.
Marks on the Print: This can happen because of a feeding issue or when something gets stuck on the roll.
- Clean the rolls on a regular basis to solve this problem.
- Prevent infeed waves by feeding the print parallel to the roll.
At Renz Australia, we offer world-class solutions for all your laminating needs. Please contact our experts if you have any questions related to lamination