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Historically, the best laminate has been a polycarbonate material, such as the standard trade-show laminate material, LexJet ExhibitGuard. Though it’s still a standard material, there are other laminates available that can meet your customers’ requirements while guarding the graphics from the Inspector Clouseaus of the trade-show circuit.

First, it’s important to understand what is not an ideal trade-show laminate. Thermal laminates are usually not an ideal choice because they’re designed to work with paper-based materials, which will tend to split as they’re rolled, re-rolled, and shipped from place to place.

Most high-performance printable films cannot be thermal laminated, because they're either too thin, can’t take the heat, or the coatings don’t allow the laminate to stick.

However, there are thermal laminates that work well for trade show graphics, such as LexJet DisplayGuard Ti. You just need to keep in mind the laminate’s compatibility with the printed material, how much abuse you expect the graphic will receive, and how many times it will be used.

For example, LexJet POP Display Film is a compatible and durable solution with DisplayGuard Ti because it’s thick enough to take the heat and microporous enough retain the ink so that it doesn’t affect the adhesion to the laminate.

Pressure-sensitive laminates (PSA, a.k.a. cold laminates) are usually the best call. They’re more widely compatible, and though they’re more expensive up front, they pay off in the long run, big time.

As with the outdoor laminates mentioned in last month’s issue of Expand, PSA laminates for trade show graphics come in various flavors – polycarbonate, co-extruded, and vinyl.

A co-extruded material, such as LexJet PreLume DisplayFlex, offers the same benefits as a polycarbonate overlaminate, but is easier to cut and trim and can be rolled tighter. Also, if someone steps on it, or bends it over in any way, it won’t leave that unfixable white mark you can get with a less-flexible polycarbonate.

Though not specifically a trade-show application, the project Northern Arizona Signs created for the National Park Service shows the flexibility, durability, and workability of a co-extruded laminate, particularly DisplayFlex in a high-use, high-touch application.

A vinyl material, such as GraphicsGuard UV, can also be used. While vinyl is less expensive than a polycarbonate or co-extruded laminate, vinyl’s strength outdoors can be its weakness indoors. Vinyl likes to move, whereas the printed material below it may not care to, but will be forced along by the laminate, a primary cause of curling and similar shrinking issues.

As with thermal laminates, the application and the graphics’ expected use and potential abuse will play the deciding role. Are you taking a chance with a less expensive laminate? Or, based on the very limited use of the graphic, does it make better economic sense not to use laminate overkill on the project?

Here’s a quick-reference recap of the laminate materials and their pros and cons:

Polycarbonate

Pros: Rigid, textured, durable, low gloss.

Cons: It's more expensive, the rigidity means customers need to be careful that they don’t roll it too tight, and it’s difficult to cut, which could cause edge lift.

Co-extruded

Pros: Rigid, textured, durable, low gloss.

Cons: Really none, though it’s more expensive than thermal and vinyl laminates.

Thermal (low-melt)

Pros: An inexpensive alternative for shorter-term trade-show graphics. Compatible with POP Display Film for a nice-looking display.

Cons: Does not have the same ability to handle the rigors and abuse of the trade-show cycle – ship, roll, unpack, unroll, install, roll, ship, unroll, etc., etc. When used with paper-based materials, the paper tends to split. Also, it’s important to ask about gloss and texture as you’ll want low gloss and at least some texture.

Vinyl PSA

Pros and cons are generally the same as thermal laminates. However, vinyl laminates are compatible with more types of inks and materials.

More detailed information about the ingredients in successful trade-show graphics construction can be found at LexJet’s World of Displays educational document. Plus, LexJet account specialists are always available to consult with you about creating the right concoction of print material, laminate, and backer to balance durability with economy.