We’ve just received the new hot and cold Rollman Automatic Hot/Cold Laminator at AM.CO.ZA, and of course, we had to put it to the test. We tried it out on a board and also directly on vinyl, and along the way picked up a few tips for getting a smooth, bubble-free finish.
Hot vs. Cold Lamination
The first thing to know is when to use hot and when to use cold lamination.
- Cold lamination is what you’ll use most often for signage, vinyl, Perspex, plastic, or even steel.
- Hot lamination is better for posters, paper, or cardboard when you want a perfectly flat finish with zero bubbles.
For this demo, we worked mainly with cold lamination.
Laminating a Board
When you’re working with a board, start by trimming your vinyl so there’s only about a 2 cm overlap on each side. Too much extra material (anything over 10 cm) can stick to the rollers and ruin the job.
Also, make sure you peel off any protective film from the surface—Perspex, glass, or metal usually has one. If it’s not removed, the lamination won’t stick properly.
Once you’ve lined everything up, peel back a corner of the backing paper and fold it under instead of cutting it off. Cutting usually leaves little paper scraps, and those can cause bubbles under the laminate. Then, feed the material slowly into the machine using the foot pedal. Take your time—short bursts are better than rushing.
Tip: If you’re working with large boards, set up a table behind the laminator so the material doesn’t drop onto the floor.
Laminating Vinyl
Vinyl is even simpler. The easiest way is to rewind your vinyl onto a cardboard roll (from a used-up roll) so it feeds nicely.
Load your laminate—either gloss or matte—line it up with the vinyl, and trim them so they’re the same length. Just like with the board, fold the backing under rather than cutting it. Hold the laminate with a little tension and feed it slowly through. Halfway, reverse it, peel back the rest, and finish laminating the other side.
Cold vs. Hot Results
Cold lamination does a great job, but you might notice a few small streaks or tiny pitted marks. Don’t panic—if the print is going outdoors, the sun usually smooths everything out within a week. For indoor prints where you want a flawless look right away, hot lamination is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
This machine makes laminating boards and vinyl surprisingly easy once you know the basics. Cold settings cover most signage jobs, while hot lamination gives you that perfect, professional finish when time and detail matter.
We’ll be exploring more of the advanced features in another demo, so keep an eye out for that one.
In a time where AI and smart technologies are transforming industries, AM.CO.ZA has emerged as a leader in CNC routers and printing machines. With more than 11 years of experience, they offer a diverse range of advanced products, including CNC Routers, Large Format Printers, Vinyl Cutters, Laser Cutters, Plasma Cutters, and DTF Printers. Their solutions serve a wide array of sectors, from manufacturing and engineering to the creative arts.
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