Printing Business and Silk lamination

[SeanGC]

Hello, I am new to these forums, and my business specializes in designing for print mediums. However, the pricing of print locally has gone up, and we were interested in investing into our own printing equipment.

Currently, we design and print (outsource) for following formats:

*UV Gloss on 12pt Cardstock, 4 Color & 2 color options
• Business Cards
• 3x4
• 4x6 (postcards)
• 4x8 (rackcards)
• 6x8
• 6x11
• 4x8, 4x12, 4x11 Door Hangers

*100lb Coated Text, 4 color & 2 color options, Semi-Glossy
• 8.5x11 & 11x17 Sellsheets and Brochures
Half-Fold, Z-Fold, Tri-Fold, Roll-fold, Gate-Fold, Rt.Angle Fold, Double-Fold

Large Format Printing

Vinyl Media
• Polypropylene
• Scrim Banner 10oz
• Adhesive Vinyl White & Clear
• Backlit Film
• Vehicle Graphics
• Floor Graphics
• Window 2-way perforated
• Static Cling

Paper Media
• 7 milk Photo Matte/Gloss
• 10mil Photo Matte/Gloss
• Card Stock
• Wall Paper - Mural

Fabric Media
• Poly Silk
• Translucent Flag

Overlaminates
• Luster
• Glossy Cast

Mounting
• Ultra Board 1/4 Inch
• PVC 1/4 Inch
• Corrugated Plastic 1/4 Inch
• GatorBoard 1/4 Inch

A-frames
• 2ft x 3ft Plastic w/ Full Color 2 sides
• 4ft x 8ft Wooden w/ Full Color 2 sides

<lb>

Here's the biggy. We outsource "Silk Card" printing through an online source. However, I was curious to know what the process was to obtain that silk laminated effect. Many of these online printers also offer additional options like Spot UV, Embossing, and Foil options, as well as the obvious Die Cut.

I'm assuming the process is done by laminating on top of a finished printed product. If anyone knows the answer to this question, as well as some information on any, if not all, of the machines that can print our current services above, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Sean

 

[SeanGC]

anyone?

 

[EconoColor]

Silk "Laminating"

Hey Sean - I've been looking into the silk laminating process recently. I came upon your thread during my search. I joined Color Printing Forum so I could ask you what if anything you've found. I'm pretty sure that the process is not actually laminating but more like spot uv or uv coating. I talked to a guy that does mobile uv coating (he comes to your store and uv coats in his truck) and he told me it's not done with standard uv coating equipment. -- If you still want to chat about this subject please email me or respond here. So far I know just enough to get me in trouble.

Thanks
Dave - Econoprint
Pasadena, CA
econoweb@econoweb.com

 

[RichardK]

Silk or matt lamination is used to enhance the tactile properties of printed products as well as preventing scuffing of the ink. It is actually a polyprop or similar layer applied and bonded to each side of the print while in sheet form. Very useful when spot uv is used - it creates a barrier between the ink and the uv (so no bleeding of the ink into the uv) whilst making the contrast between the 2 finishes more evident.

The only issue we see is that it is easily marked - especially if the print is dark.

Autobond make industrial laminators with both thermal and solvent based bonding. From sra3 up to B1 size.

Autobond

 

[EconoColor]

Silk Lam

Thanks very much for the info. The links were especially helpful.

 

[EconoColor]

It also turns out I was completely wrong in regards to the process. It is lamination. Very thin lamination.

 

[RichardK]

My pleasure...

It's thin all right...12µm (microns).

It does have another benefit in that it makes the product tear resistant. Oh and you can use ball point on it.

 

[ScotJ]

A question about this lam process-

I the laminate proprietary to the laminiator manufactor, or do you just need a laminator that can apply the appropriate heat/pressure?

And is there a smaller scale solution for smaller operations that want to do runs of 100-500 sheets?

And do you need to get different roll of lamination for each size?

 

[Raphael D Coccia]

I dont Know much about silk lam but if you need help with your printing i may be able to help you. We specialize in Printing for Brokers and other printers. Not sure were your located but ups is cheap for shipping. pm me!

 

[Together Production]

Silk Lamination Process

Here is a link to SILK LAMINATION

Basically it is a real thin matte lamination process after the printing process is done.

We are a specialty Trade Printer who specialize in printing offset highest quality full color "Silk Laminated Card Stock" marketign products.
We also provide unlimited custom finishings to provide the most versitile and the most cost effective product in the market. Our mission is simple no set up cost for everything and unlimited cutomization. Die cut, Stamp Foil, Emboss, Spot UV, Round Corners all for finishing cost only and no set up cost require. (You can save anywhere from 150 - 800 dollar of set up fee).

If you wish to set up your reseller account please contact us at info@togetherproduction.com to activate your account today.

Example of Maximum Discounted Price List:
Business Cards 3.5" x 2"
Offset Highest quality printing.
14 point silk laminated premium card stock
Full Color 2 sides
Full bleed

1000qty $59.50 only + Tax

Custom Finishings:
Custom Die Cut (unlimited shape) 1000qty $38.50 extra only (other printer charge 200 - 400 dollar extra)
Custom Emboss 1 side (unlimited shape) 1000qty $38.50 extra only (other printer charge 250 - 450 dollar exta)
Custom Spot UV/ Super High Gloss 1 side (unlimited shape) 1000qty $56.00 extra only (other printer charge 300 and more)
Custom Stamp Foil, Round Corners, Hole Punch and even straight cut for smaller size is free no extra cost.

Contact our sales to activate your discount level today. Call us at 604 288 0910 or email us at info@togetherproduction.com for more information.

Together Production Creative Group Inc.
209 - 223 West Broadway Vancouver BC V5Y 1P5
www.togetherproduction.com
604 288 0910

 

[RichardK]

Hong Kong based...make your own minds up.

As for Silk laminate, it's thinner than standard matt laminate, means less marking and not so 'milky', it shows more of the underlying print in other words.

In the UK it comes in at around 200.00GBP per roll, making 90gbp per thousand per side on SRA2 stock. So roughly double the cost of standard matt laminate.

So 59$ then, to include material, printing and shipping from Honkers Konkers (where's your conscience re: carbon footprint now?).

Oh and if we're talking environmental concerns how do you recycle a laminated product? Yeah, right, you don't unless it's an even more specialist (for that read 'even more expensive') bio laminate.

 

[Together Production]

We have 2 offices 1 located in Canada Vancouver BC also we have our production plant to take care of all the production in Asia as well.

Most of our production are printed and completed in Canada, however if we have project that we consider it has the potiential to be printed oversea simplily of cost effective then we would provide the optino to do so as well.

If anyone is interested in more information on our products and services please contact our sales info@togetherproduction.com for more information.

Thank you for your time.

 

[RichardK]

Offices, yeah OK.

Production facilities in Canada?

OK I'm prepared to believe...address and post a pic.

No offense, it sounds like a brokerage and we all know how much they contribute to the print economy.

 

[Together Production]

Of course we would love to see you at our plant. We have clients from large firm such as Coors Light, Playboy, Canucks and lots more. For custom larger production we offer to have press check. If you wish to come and see our facility we are welcome to show our off our presses.

Equipment:
Heidelberg SM102 - 10 Color
Heidelberg CD102 - 6 Color

CTP:
Docucolor 12
Epson 9800 Proofers
Agfa Avalon LF Engine
Agfa X45/Azura
Plate Setter

And for more informatino please email us if you are from outside of Canada.

 

[RichardK]

But isn't the trading name of that company Best Color?

 

[Together Production]

Yes they are one of our competitor as well. Also there are other competitors in the province as well such as Rhino, generation etc.. however we are one of a kind to offer the silk lamination card stock as signature products for our resellers. There are other brokers in the province who are selling similar products but mostly they are our clients as well.

Thanks again.

 

[RichardK]

Best Color Press

You mean this 'competitor' has, excuse my incredulity, exactly the same kit as you? In Vancouver?

If I'm wrong I apologise however, this has an odour of 10 day old fish behind a hot radiator.

 

[ScotJ]

Thanks for the info guys,

As for the spam - take it to some other forum. I'm not here looking for pesky sales reps to pedal their wares! I'm looking for information from fellow print shop owners and operators.

Cheers!

 

[RichardK]

Totally agree Scot. For print broker read parasite.

Sorry it's my experience and firm view that these guys line their pockets without having to invest in people or capital equipment or training and then have the nerve to squeeze our industry to within an inch of it's life for the cheapest price or they'll outsource abroad.

Oops got on the soapbox again.

 

[tonygreg]

Nice discussion on Silk lamination. our company provides you best solution for silk lamination on all types of offset products. for more details visit design2express.com