TECHNICAL INFORMATION

1 -

(Our standard film is 1.2 Polypropylene unless otherwise noted.)

• Minimum Sheet Size 11" x 17"
• Maximum Sheet Size 28" x 40"
• Minimum Stock Thickness #80 Coated Text
• Maximum Stock Thickness 24 point board
• 1/2" - 3/4" Minimum clearance beyond your image area to be laminated.
• ALWAYS supply us with a rule up with GRIPPER & GUIDE CLEARLY MARKED.
• Sheets should be dry with minimal spray powder.
• Metallic inks may not laminate (Imitation Metallics are recommended).
• Wax Free Inks, varnishes and aqueous coatings should be compatible.
• Scoring, Perfing and Diecutting is completed AFTER lamination.
• Ink, Varnish and Primers must be 1/2" from all four sides of sheet.
• Compatible with OPP films up to 3 mil thick. Nylon (Lay-Flat) and polyester films available.
• Superior to UV and Aqueous Coatings that will not crack or yellow.
• Matte Polypro Films may scuff on dark colored stock. We suggest matte Polyester film for dark colors.
• Films are available in gloss and matte ( Non-glare) finish.
• Plastic & Vinyl stock may blister. Subject to testing.
• Silk Screen & copier inks will not bind.
• Thermal copies & faxes are not recommended for lamination.
• When Choosing All Films: Matte Polypro is more of a dull matte (No Glare) than Polyester Matte, Polyester Matte has more of a shine and is less dull. Polyester films, because of its durable scratch resistant qualities, is recommended on dark colors to prevent scratching and scuffing. We would be happy to supply sample.

Available Film Types

1.2 Mil Polypropylene (OPP) is the most widely used and least expensive. Its physical properties make it easy to work with for many different applications. OPP provides a high degree of gloss and excellent clarity. OPP is available in Gloss or Matte finish.

1.2 Mil Polyester (PET) is a more durable and scuff resistant film than polypropylene. It is often used when added durability is required. This added durability translates into a higher price over OPP. This film is also available in a gluable and stampable version and is available in Gloss or Matte finish.

Nylon (or Lay Flat Film) is film that allows the stock to breath. Nylon film is used in applications where curl of any type cannot be tolerated. This value-added film has a higher cost factor than polypropylene (OPP) and polyester (PET).

• Complementing finishing includes: cutting, scoring, perfing, die cutting, eyelets, easels, round cornering, tabbing, kleen stick, drilling, collating and shrink wrapping. Tell us what finishing you require.

2 - Sided Film Laminating Spec Sheet

Sealed Edges:

• Minimum Sheet Size: 2" x 3.5"
• Maximum Sheet Size: 27" x 40"
• Maximum Film Coverage: 26" wide on sealed edges.
• Your paper must be cut to finished size.
• Any cutting of paper is an extra charge.
• Plastic will extend beyond paper 1/8" plus or minus 1/16" unless otherwise specified.
• Any required scoring is completed BEFORE lamination.
• Take into account when multiple scores are required the placement of your printing and allow room for the sealed edge plus 1/16" - 1/8" so when sheet is folded it does not buckle.
• Text weight, web stocks or color copies may wrinkle or wave, testing is recommended.

Flush Cut:

• Rule-ups with gripper and side guide clearly marked must be supplied with each job.
• We will keep film clean on your gripper and side guide only.
• We require 1/4" minimum around the image area that you wish to laminate.
• Any cutting of paper is an extra charge.
• Scoring, perfing and die cutting is completed AFTER lamination.

Please Remember:

• Keeping sheets in order is an extra charge.
• Any cutting of paper is an extra charge.
• On rounded corners, plastic is rounded on sealed edges using 3, 5, or 10 mil films only. 1.5 mil sealed edge will not round corner.
• For good bonding properties, any coatings prior to lamination is not recommended.
• Sheets must be completely dry with minimal spray powder.
• Metallic Inks may not coat. (Imitation metallics are recommended).
• If Matte film is desired, please allow 3 - 5 days to obtain film.
• Provide adequate overs, especially when other finishing is required.

Available Film Types

1.5 MIL LAMINATE - Polyester. A thin lightweight 2 sided protection that beautifies and protects your printed sheet. Recommended for mild abuse. Ideal for: Catalog Covers, Flash Cards, Flyers, Charts, Write-On/Wipe-Off Applications, Display Cards and more .....

3 MIL LAMINATE - Polyester. A medium weight protection that resists dirt, grease, water, tampering and most acids while adding beauty, strength and permanent protection to your printed piece. Ideal for: Menus, Point of Purchase Material, Maps, Calendars, Posters, Blueprints and more .....

5 MIL LAMINATE - Polyester. A heavier weight lamination where added durability is required. Ideal for: Menus, Place Mats, Stats, Photos, Hang Tags, Reference Charts, Flip Charts and more .....

10 MIL LAMINATE - Polyester. Our heaviest and most durable film. Ideal for: Counter Cards, Portfolios, Ad Reprints, Non Folding Menus, Displays, Signs, I.D. Cards and more .....

• Complementing Finishing includes: cutting, scoring, perfing, die cutting, eyelets, easels, round cornering, tabbing, kleen stick, drilling, slot punching, collating and shrink wrapping. Tell us what finishing you require.
  
  

Specifications for Mechanical Binding

• Allow 1/4" - 3/8" trim off spine of signatures.
• Use light perforation on head and spine (please do not over perforate which could create gathering problems with signatures pulling apart).
• FOR SIGS UP TO 16 PAGES: Allow 1/8" head, 1/8" face, and 1/8" foot trim.
• FOR SIGS OVER 16 PAGES: Allow 1/4" head, 1/4" face, and 1/8" foot trim.

NOTE: These trims can be ajusted to accommodate web cut offs and different sheet sizes. Please advise if different trims are needed.

• Signatures must be folded WITHOUT a lip.
• Grain of text should run parallel to binding edge. Following are the dimensions from edge of the trimmed sheets to inside edge of the punched hole. Copy should be laid out to avoid this area.

• Due to poor handling & damage occured by box shippers, we ship all wire-o and large mechanical bound books via common carrier.
• To avoid scuffing problems that may occur in transit, we recommend shrink-wrapping books for protection.
• Grain of text should run parallel to binding edge.

Index Tab Specifications

If You Print:

• Cut your stock to finished size, including tab size. For example: an 8.5"+1/2" tab extension x 11", you would cut your stock to 9"x11".
• Any cutting of paper is an extra charge.
• Use only wax free oil base inks. UV or aqueous coated sheets CANNOT be mylar laminated on tab.
• Heavy body coverage on coated stockL Use Heat Resistant ink with a wax free varnish over all body print. *The Hg O/P Varnish from Allied ink Co. works well. Sheets must be dry & be able to withstand temperatures of 330 degrees. All jobs with body printing are problematic when exposed to heat. Samples will be provided for approval if quality of job is in question.
• *If tab area is reversed, keep ink 1/8" above the 1/2" tab extension mark to prevent ink line appearing on sheet when die cut.
• The number of processes involved will dictate the overage required.

• Reinforcing Spine: Stock lighter than 90# Index may curl.
• OVERS - To insure counts, please provide the following overage:
  15 sheets per 1000, per tab, per process with a minimum of 50 sheets pertab.

If We Print:

• We define Camera Ready as "in position" & ready to shoot to plate.
• Any cutting and pasting will be an aditional charge.

Perfect Bound Soft Cover Specifications & Guidelines

Text

• Allow 1/8” – 3/16” grind off spine of signatures.
  Minimum thickness: 1/8” (Including cover)
  Maximum thickness: 2 1/4” (Including cover)
  
• Use light perforation on head and spine (please do not over perforate which could create gathering problems with signatures pulling apart).
  
  

  For sigs up to 16 pages:	For sigs over 16 pages:
  - Allow 1/8” head, 1/8” face, and 1/8” foot trim.	- Allow 1/4” head, 1/4:” face, and 1/4 ” foot trim.

  
  Note: These trims can be adjusted to accommodate web cut offs and different sheet sizes. Please advise if different trims are needed.
  
• On first page: first signature and last page: last signature, mask 3/16” area free of inks and coatings beyond the 1/8” grind for side glue application.
  
• Mask back inks and coatings 1/16” on all other pages (excluding first page and last page) beyond the grind off.
  
• This is done so that there can be better glue adhesion to text stock. Different inks and coatings react differently with hot melt glues.

• Signature should be folded WITHOUT a lip.
  
• Grain of text should run parallel to binding edge.
  
  
  COVER
• For better control, we prefer to cut covers, otherwise additional cost could be incurred.
  
• On very thin books (1/8”) spine may have a slight rounded effect.

• Grain of cover must run parallel to binding edge.
  
• Gatefold or rollout panels should be well secured with head and foot tack falling 1/8” outside final trim size.
  Gatefold should be a minimum of 1/8” short of face trim.
  Note- Please consult on a job-by-job basis.

• Do not score spine or hinge.
  
• Best scenario, One-up cover to be larger than your text signatures. Please allow glue trap on head and foot 1/8” on your covers beyond your sig cut marks. Please match trims and bleeds with signatures.
  
• Minimum flat cover size for a perfect bound book must be at least 9.5” left to right.
  
• On inside cover if printed, please mask back inks and coatings where spine and side glue adheres. This dimension will be bulk of book plus 3/16” front and 3/16” back for side glue.
  
• If covers are UV coated, please note that you may experience some enhanced cracking of coating where spine wraps book as well as where cover hinges.
  
• For any special specifications such as gatefolds, foldouts, special coatings, etc, please call for further guidelines.
  
• To avoid scuffing problems that may occur in transit, we recommend shrink-wrapping books for protection.