- Home
- Packaging glossary
- Lamination
Lamination
Also known as: laminate, laminated film, film lamination, adhesive lamination, solventless lamination
Lamination is the process of bonding two or more films, foils or papers with adhesive to create a single multi-layer packaging material.
Lamination bonds two or more webs, such as plastic films, aluminium foil or paper, into one multi-layer material using an adhesive or a molten polymer. Most printed flexible pouches are made from laminates.
Why laminate?
No single film does everything. An outer PET or BOPP layer carries the print and gives stiffness and gloss, a middle layer can add barrier, and an inner PE or CPP layer provides heat sealing and food contact. Printing is usually reverse-printed on the inside of the outer film, so the ink ends up protected between layers.
Common methods
- Solventless: two-component adhesives, no drying oven, low energy use and low residual solvent risk.
- Solvent-based: still used for demanding applications such as retort.
- Extrusion lamination: molten PE acts as the tie layer.
What to keep in mind
Laminated reels need curing time, typically a few days, before slitting and pouch making. Skipping it can cause weak bonds, delamination or migration issues. Tell your converter about your product, especially if it is oily, acidic or alcoholic, so the right adhesive system is chosen.
Frequently asked
Is lamination necessary for food pouches?
Not always, but most printed food pouches are laminated because it combines print protection, barrier and reliable sealing in one material.
What is solventless lamination?
It is lamination using adhesives that contain no solvent, so no drying oven is needed and the risk of residual solvent in the packaging is lower.
Related terms
Let's choose your packaging together
Work out the price for your size now, or ask our team which structure suits your product.