Consumables
GBC expands exclusive range of Arctic Cold lamination films to meet growing market demand
Friday 22. February 2008 - GBC Commercial Laminating Solutions Group, part of Acco Brands Corporation (NYSE: ABD - news) and world market leader in print finishing equipment and consumables, announces the commercial availability of Arctic Pressure Sensitive cold lamination films.
As the latest offering in GBC’s Arctic range for indoor/outdoor applications, these films are processed at a temperature between 40-50°C, and are considered by GBC as a ‘cool’ solution for heat-sensitive inkjet output. The full range of Arctic films address the growing industry trend towards cold lamination, to ensure optimal color and finishing for banners, signage or trade show displays.
GBC is recognized as a leading manufacturer of hot lamination films and systems, but has also developed a broad selection of cold lamination films for their range of entry-level laminators up to the professional GBC Tuscan-1. For several years now, GBC has owned a manufacturing facility for cold pressure sensitive films in the US. The low dollar rate has enabled GBC-Professional to provide its European customers with a complete range of lamination films at a competitive price. In addition to a reliable production and stringent quality control, this manufacturing base also ensures rapid and direct exportation to GBC’s global customer base. The GBC Arctic range is available for immediate delivery.
The growing sales trend in solvent printers, which cannot use heat laminating films, has prompted GBC to respond to its customers’ requirements with a high-quality, durable cold film solution. Cold laminators are used when the laminated material is sensitive to heat. For example, some inkjet printers use inks that can melt when heated and other models require the use of heat sensitive paper.
The biggest advantages of using cold lamination are the low maintenance required and ease of use. As cold laminators do not use heat, no electricity is required to operate the machine, resulting in no warm-up time and faster movement of the material through the laminator. There is no need to adjust the roller tension or thermostat as cold lamination machines use pressure sensitive adhesives to bind the lamination film. GBC’s Arctic Pressure Sensitive cold lamination films ensure high color density and brightness, enhanced contrast and a top quality professional finishing.
Giel Klinkers, Marketing & Sales Director GBC for Digital Print Finishing Solutions, comments: “Finishing is no longer the afterthought of the print process. Today, print providers are recognizing the value of sophisticated finishing technology to deliver added value and profit. Many specialized applications will benefit from our films ability to deliver increased color density with superior and luxurious finishing. Digital print providers can gain a competitive advantage and build their business by offering a unique and creative lamination product range to their customers.”
New highlights of the Arctic range include
Cost-effective over-laminates (for indoor and short-term outdoor applications):.
Arctic Universal is a cost-effective Gloss and Matt pressure sensitive film suitable for indoor and short-term outdoor applications. This film is based on a PVC carrier and solvent-based adhesive (short term UV protection). Arctic Sand is a cost-effective and color-enriching sand-textured PVC-based pressure sensitive film for indoor and short-term outdoor applications. With both moisture and UV resistance, it is an excellent film for both indoor and short-term outdoor signage and POP displays.
The Arctic High-Volume range is an economical high-quality pressure sensitive film for heavy volume-users, available in gloss/semi-gloss/satin-mat and mat. With up to 2 years of UV protection, these pressure sensitive films have a water-based adhesive and are solvent and cadmium free. Arctic High Volume films are used in a large number of applications such as photo base, paper, polyester and vinyl. This GBC line combines performance, quality and affordability, and targets customers requiring an economical high-quality pressure sensitive film for UV-production.
Arctic Light Crystal and Light Barrier for display graphics
On the pressure sensitive side, GBC-Professional has broadened its range with Arctic Light Crystal 125µ film, which has a light sand composition and is a very cost-effective cold over-lamination developed for the POS market. This film is ideally combined with Arctic Light Barrier 250/340mic. These stoplight films are used on the back of a printable barrier film for optimal opacity optimization.
Premium range of over-laminating films (for in- and outdoor applications)
Arctic Dura Mount premium or the economy range of mounting films
The GBC Arctic Mount films uses an economical polyester carrier coated on both sides with a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, whereas the Arctic Dura Mount Eco uses an economical PP-based carrier. This mounting film bonds well to porous, non-plastic surfaces and is equipped with an exceptionally durable adhesive that provides a permanent bond to a variety of substrates. Considered as a premium economic range, the films are ideally suited to posters, digital prints and price sensitive projects.
GBC Arctic Lo-Tack for window graphics
GBC Arctic Lo-Tack contains a polyester carrier with a removable adhesive for front mounting to glass surfaces. Specifically designed channels allow for easy application by hand without leaving bubbles. Arctic Lo-Tack films leave no residue when short-term graphics are removed and are suited for window graphics and temporary decorations.
GBC Arctic Floor Matt for floor graphics
This durable scratch-resistant and UL rated slip-resistant film offers long-lasting graphic protection. The high-quality Arctic Floor Matt is specifically designed for graphic arts applications.
GBC Arctic Choice and Arctic Select Vinyl over-laminates
The high-quality cast-vinyl composition of these films provides a brilliant gloss finish and is guaranteed for outdoor usage. Being UV-resistant, , the films are ideal for long-term outdoor signage and vehicle wraps. These GBC films feature a gloss finish cast-vinyl substrate with an acrylic adhesive and a coated release liner. Combined with Sure Print White Polyester media, Select Vinyl can be applied as a sandwich solution to protect against environmental wear in outdoor applications for up to 3-7 years, depending on the application conditions.
GBC’s Arctic range of adhesives were developed using new technical innovations and deliver over 10-per cent greater bond strength. Thorough tests have been carried out on fresh prints, including CMYK black, at various lamination speeds and temperatures on both entry level and high-speed laminators. Specifically designed for cold, pressure sensitive laminating processes, the adhesives are compatible with all GBC wide format laminating systems, including the GBC 1040 WFc, Arctic Titan 165, 1064 WFt, Tuscan Pro-1 and 2080 Wft.
The full range of competitive GBC films is currently available and ready for immediate delivery.