lamination

[Geneva Olson]

Just out of curiosity. Do you laminate every print that comes through as a rule or do you not laminate as a rule?
If you do laminate, is it understood that everything coming out of your shop is laminated unless otherwise noted?

I came across a situation where I ordered large prints from a company and they weren't laminated. No where on their website or proofs does it mention lamination at all. When I asked for lamination, they told me that was an upcharge and I should have requested that to begin with. Upon further investigation of other wholesalers, I noticed that most do mention that their prints are laminated.

I don't tell my customers that we laminate everything because it's an added bonus. (and built into the price).
Just curious what other shops do...

 

[ikarasu]

We don't laminate flatbed Coro prints. We also don't laminate anything going on Coro if we roll to roll it.... Because it's temp.

Our general rule is if it's for a sign that's under a year we don't laminate, everything else we do....

We don't tell customers because they won't understand the difference between laminated and not.... Rather we tell them expected durability. If check where you bought it from... If they're listing it as a 5 year vinyl, or 7 year vinyl... It only gets to those dates if you laminate it (as most product bulletins state) so you may be able to point that out to them to get it laminated.

 

[Boudica]

In general we do, but not all of the time. It's listed in the order description if it gets laminate or not and what flavor. There are some things we don't laminate. It really just depends on what it's for and how long it should last.

 

[Signstein]

I laminate everything. Not necessarily for longevity or UV protection, but for protection from the customers' themselves. They have zero regard for anything and will ruin a brand new sign.
For me, lamination is more to help a given sign survive pickup, transport, setup, etc.

 

[chester215]

Every print.

 

[MikePro]

i laminate everything except for donation golf outing/etc. donated signs that only get used for a day

 

[DL Signs]

i laminate everything except for donation golf outing/etc. donated signs that only get used for a day

Ditto...

 

[2B]

We try to get the expected life expectancy before pricing is done. If they want a LONG LIFE, lamination is added automatically.

Anything we don't know about the life span, we give them the option for the added cost, and the following disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
Lamination is not required for graphics used outdoors.
However, adding lamination is strongly recommended to enhance durability and longevity, especially for graphics placed outdoors or in environments where the surface may be touched, rubbed, or exposed to the elements.

 

[ozpall]

depends on the sign, what is it for, if its a long term sign then yes i laminate it, if its going on a car or van yes i laminate it. if its event signs no. do i tell the customers? no i just add it to the bill. if they question it or want it cheaper i take it off.
Right now i have a bunch of signs 24x36 for Halloween, i won't laminate those.

 

[Stacey K]

i laminate everything except for donation golf outing/etc. donated signs that only get used for a day

Ditto

 

[hybriddesign]

We ask each client but only offer it on some products. Banners and corrugated, definitely not, PVC, stickers, wall and car graphics, we offer it both ways. As others mentioned if we think it's going to be out there for a while we laminate. It depends on the printing method though. If they are UV printing a lot less is going to get laminated. I would definitely never assume companies are laminating things though.