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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
DECAL:
An image that has been laminated on top (either heat-
activated or pressure-sensitive) with an adhesive backing
FILM:
A synonym for laminate. The material used in the
laminating and encapsulating process
HEAT-ACTIVATED FILMS:
Films with an adhesive that is activated when heat is
applied. Once applied to an image the adhesive forms a
strong bond adhering the laminate and the image
together.
IN-FEED:
The side of the laminator from which images are fed
LEADER-BOARD:
A piece of foam board (about 4’ x 4”) used to push
films into the nip. Also used for mounting or pre-
coating boards to prevent adhesive from getting onto
the rollers and sealing edges.
MIL:
Refers to the thickness of the laminate in 1/1000ths of
an inch. One Mil is equal to .0254mm or 25 micron.
MOUNTING:
Applying an image onto some kind of foam board or
substrate.
NIP:
The spot where the top and bottom rollers meet
OUT-FEED:
The side of the laminator from which completed images
emerge
PRE-COATING:
The process of coating a substrate with an adhesive
mounting film onto which an image can be mounted.
PRESS:
The amount of force in distance put on anything that
passes between the top and bottom rollers.
PRESSURE-SENSITIVE FILMS:
Films with an adhesive that is activated when pressure is
applied, forming a bond between the protective laminate
and the surface of the image. Used primarily for fast
mounting applications and recommended for heat-
sensitive thermal and photographic prints.
RELEASE LINER:
The backing on a pressure-sensitive film or mounting
adhesive. After peeling the release liner off, the adhesive
layer becomes exposed.
SLED:
A board that has a non-stick surface that is used when
laminating one side of an image only. These can be
made using a foam board coated with a self-wound
pressure sensitive adhesive. The silicone release liner is
not removed during coating and provides the necessary
non-stick surface.
SUBSTRATE:
The material to which an image is mounted or affixed
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