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Glossary of Terms 31
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9 GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Decal
An image that has been laminated on top (either heat-activated or pressure-sensitive)
with an adhesive backing.
Heat-Activated Laminates
Laminates with a dry 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 2 inches) 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.
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 and
image can be mounted.
Press
The amount of force in distance put on anything that passes between the top and
bottom rollers. Normally a press of .025 is sufficient.
Pressure-Sensitive Laminates
Laminates with a wet adhesive, which forms a bond between the protective laminate
and the surface of the image being laminated. Used primarily for fast mounting
applications and recommended for heat-sensitive thermal and photographic prints.
Release Liner
The backing on a pressure-sensitive laminate or mounting adhesive. After peeling the
release liner off, the adhesive layer becomes exposed.
Sled (Carrier Board)
A piece of smooth, non-crushable board (preferably Masonite) coated with a mounting
adhesive and leaving the release liner on to provide the necessary non-stick surface. A
piece of foam board can also be used, but it will not have the longevity of the Masonite
board. Sleds are used when laminating one side of an image only.
Substrate
The material to which an image is mounted or affixed.