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Whether you are part of a bustling commercial print shop, a trade show display producer, or a small graphics company, understanding the nuances of lamination technology is crucial for choosing the best laminator for your operations.

Laminate films and adhesives not only protect and enhance the appearance of printed materials but also offer versatility in applications, adding significant value to printed products. 

Our certified printing experts at Steven Enterprises have curated this comprehensive guide to help you determine the best laminator type—hot or cold—for your business needs.

What are the different types of lamination?

Laminators come in two primary types: thermal (hot) and pressure-sensitive (cold), each suited for different business environments and requirements.

1. Thermal Laminators: Ideal for encapsulating printed materials, thermal laminators use heat to activate the adhesive, which is perfect for moisture-sensitive media. These devices are typically narrower and can range in their applications from single to double-sided use. Features like dual heated rollers or “shoes” ensure even heat distribution for a flawless finish.
2. Pressure-Sensitive Laminators: These are best suited for moisture-resistant media, often utilized in single-side applications. Such equipment tends to be wider and can feature cold rollers with top heat assist, enabling them to handle larger, more robust operations, including mounting on rigid substrates.

Which Laminator to Chose Based on Your Business Type & Business Use 

Steven Enterprises is partnered with Graphic Finishing Partners LLC., a lamination equipment and supplies leader. Gfp laminator machines are the perfect complement to the latest wide format inkjet printers. They are proven to shorten production time, increase profitability, and produce consistent, professional results.  

Below are 5 common business use cases and which laminator we’d recommend from their product line. 

1. Commercial Printers & Trade Show Producers

• Recommended Model: GFP 800 Series Dual Heat Laminator & 500 Series Top Heat Laminator
• Key Features: Dual heated rollers, silicone rollers, swing-out supply shafts, in-line rotary slitters, capable of handling up to 1” substrates, and more.
• Ideal for: Menus, maps, wall and floor graphics, vehicle wraps, window displays, and more.

2. Large Volume Production Houses & In-Plant Printshops

• Recommended Model: GFP 600 Series Top Heat Laminator
• Key Features: Touchscreen control, 63” top-heat assist, silicone rollers, rear rewind for efficient roll-to-roll operation.
• Ideal for: Large-scale wall graphics, vehicle decals, point-of-purchase displays.

3. Wrap Shops & Sign Companies

• Recommended Models: GFP 300 Series Top Heat Laminator 55″/63″
• Key Features: Mid-production capacity, top-heat assist, robust rubber rollers, designed for longer runs.
• Ideal for: Vehicle graphics, wraps, window displays, and extensive trade show graphics.

4. Entry Level Users and Small Graphic Shops

• Recommended Models: GFP 200 Series Cold Laminator 55″/63″
• Key Features: PSA cold lamination only, lower production design suitable for shorter runs.
• Ideal for: Decals, stickers, point-of-purchase displays, and educational material.

5. DIY Crafters & Small Retail Shops

• Recommended Models: GFP 230C Cold Laminator / GFP 220C Cold Laminator
• Key Features: Compact design, cold lamination only, suitable for smaller, more detailed applications.
• Ideal for: Small decals, crafts, and photo lamination.

Need Advice to Get the Right Laminator for Your Business?

Choosing the right laminator involves understanding your business’s specific requirements and the volume of work it handles. 

Steven Enterprises is dedicated to helping you navigate these choices with expert advice and top-quality laminators that ensure durability and performance.

Ready to enhance your printing capabilities? Contact Steven Enterprises today at 800-491-8785 for a free consultation or fill out this form to request more information about the different laminators we have in stock.

Large format printers are crucial in various industries, including engineering, architecture, design firms, print shops, educational institutions, and more. Each customer has unique challenges and printing demands, so multiple large-format printer brands stand out as top choices in the market today.

At Steven Enterprises, we have supported Southern California businesses with plotter equipment purchases for over three generations. Our team stays at the cutting edge of the large-format and wide-format printing industry, continually educating ourselves about the latest plotters released by various brands.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top recommended large format printer brands tailored to specific industry demands.

Ink vs. Toner Large Format Printers

One of the primary distinctions in large format printers is the type of printing technology they utilize—ink or toner.

Ink-Based Printers:

If your business’s monthly print volume is less than 10,000 square feet, ink-based printers are more cost-effective and suitable. While the cost per square foot for ink is approximately $0.025, it offers affordability for lower-volume needs.

Toner-Based Printers:

For businesses printing 10,000 to 20,000 square feet per month, toner-based printers are more economical in the long run. Toner costs about $0.011 per square foot, significantly reducing long-term expenses on printing supplies.

While the price difference seems small, printing with ink is basically twice as expensive as printing with toner. 

Read more: How AEC Firms Can Maximize Savings on Large Format Printing Supplies

Top Ink-Based Large Format Printer Brands

Ink-based printers are typically purchased by businesses that need high-quality prints with extreme precision. The technology prints line by line, making it possible to get accurate lines and details in your prints. 

#1 Brand: HP

HP is renowned for its technical large format printers, releasing new models almost yearly with innovations in speed and AutoCAD technology. These printers are indispensable for fields requiring detailed drawings and plans, such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing.

Read more: Top HP Wide Format Printers: Organized By Print Volume & Costs

#2 Brand: Canon

Canon excels in producing graphic large format printers with superior ink durability and color quality. Ideal for marketing agencies, photography studios, and graphic design firms, Canon printers are also popular with movie production studios for their high-quality print needs during filming.

Top Toner-Based Large Format Printer Brands

Toner-based plotters use laser technology, also known as “LED machines.” This advanced technology is why they’re so popular for large-volume printing.  

The way toner-based printers work is they do a single-pass on the page. This means it doesn’t matter how much coverage is on your print; the time to print will not change.

Ink-based printers, however, will slow down significantly if you have a page with 80%+ coverage (the percentage of the design that needs to be colored in the blank page). 

LED machines always print at the same speed, regardless of the print details. 

#1 Brand: KIP

KIP leads the industry with its advanced software enhancements, focusing on speed and ease of use in job submissions. Customers appreciate the simplicity with which they can manage their printing jobs using KIP’s efficient tools.

See the most popular large format printers by KIP. 

#2 Brand: OCE

OCE, known for its reliability and recently acquired by Canon, is expected to integrate and expand upon Canon’s graphic technology. This brand is a solid choice for businesses that value consistent performance and technological innovation.

See the most popular large format printers by OCE.

Choosing the Right Brand for Your Business

Our certified printing technicians talk to businesses almost every day about purchasing the right large format printer for their unique business needs. 

In talking with these business owners, they acknowledge that most businesses typically stick with the brand they’ve always worked with. They cite reasons like brand loyalty, trust in the product, and the fact that their team is already trained on how to use the printers. 

If you already own a large format printer, it’s sometimes also wide to stick with the same brand to be able to benefit from possible trade-in offers to upgrade your equipment.

Need Help Purchasing Your Large Format Printer?

Selecting the right large format printer is crucial for meeting your business’s specific needs, whether you prioritize visual impact or precision. Our team of experts is ready to provide personalized advice on selecting the ideal large-format printer for your business. Contact us today to enhance your printing capabilities.

If you need help choosing the right printer for your business, contact our team of experts here or call (800)491-8785.