Qualities of a Good Laminating & Foamcore Mounting Company
Lamination is important because it adds strength and durability to your printed materials, be they menus, photos, or posters. Laminated printed materials are less likely to tear or get smudges, stains, and dirt. Laminates are also important in that they are waterproof. It is particularly important that you laminate printed materials that are handled repeatedly.
Foam core mounting refers to the mounting of paper products such as photographic prints on form core (also called Kappa and Foam board). This is a very strong yet lightweight material that is easily cut. Formcore mounting is popularly used in picture framing, in painting, and in 3D design (such as in the production of architectural models).
There are several companies out there that offer laminating and foam core mounting service. You should avoid the temptation of going for the company with the lowest rates because in most cases, companies that offer overly low rates are cutting corners and you will most likely get substandard service. There are several other qualities you should be on the lookout for when selecting a lamination and formcore mounting company.
The company should use the highest quality materials. The materials used should be available in different thicknesses so that you can choose what best suits your particular needs (and your pocket). As an example, when it comes to lamination, the materials should be available in thicknesses of 1.7mil, 3mil, 5mil, and 10mil.
The company should have the capacity necessary for laminating both sides of the paper. It should offer such services as hole drilling, easel backing, grommeting, round cornering, and slot punching after the laminate is complete.
Go for a company that has been around for several decades. Longevity in the industry is proof that the company is credible and reliable. It also means that the team has the experience needed to do a good job.
The best company is one that offers comprehensive service. Other than laminating and form core mounting, the company should also offer such related services as the printing of custom color posters, black and white copy printing, bulk mail service, rubber stamp service, and vinyl adhesive window signs printing. Getting different services from the same company is advantageous in that it will save you money, it ensures there is seamless integration, and it offers convenience and anonymity.
The company should have different prizes for different sizes of laminates and formcore mounts. It should offer discounts should you print in bulk. You should be able to send designs of what you want to laminate or to form core mount via email. This offers convenience, anonymity, and cost benefits. The company should be able to accept templates in Microsoft programs (as these are freely available).
There should be a customer service team available to help you make the right choice when it comes to laminates and formcore mounts and to answer whichever questions that you may have while the work is going on. The company should have a friendly shipping, privacy, and returns policy. It should be licensed by the relevant government and industry regulatory bodies.
Nasir Dadabhoy is the author of this article on Color Copy, poster.