LAMINATION: STRENGTHEN THE IDENTITY AND DURABILITY OF YOUR COVERS

Lamination applies a very thin film to the printed cover.
It protects the book from rubbing and moisture, and gives the paper its final look and feel.
Beyond its protective role, lamination contributes significantly to the identity of the book.

Matt, gloss, soft touch, scuff-resistant matt, satin, silver or gold

Gloss lamination revives colours and gives images depth: it is often the choice of comics, children's books and illustrated catalogues. Matt softens contrast and states a more restrained, generally more upmarket intent, widely used in literature and art books.

Soft touch gives a rather matt look and adds a velvety, peach-skin feel.
Scuff-resistant matt lamination is particularly suited to protecting dark solids, on which the slightest mark becomes visible.
Satin, silver and gold films can be of interest to give covers a metallic look.
Each family is chosen by eye as much as by touch, according to the art direction and the result you are after.

Protection, and a base for other finishes

A laminated cover gives the book a far longer life and a look that stays neat. It withstands transport, handling in the bookshop and everyday use.

Lamination also serves as a base for other finishes such as hot foil stamping or spot varnish.
With foil stamping, for example, lamination both improves the adhesion of the foil and gives a better result, by playing on the contrast of materials.
In the same way, the contrast between the velvety look of a matt film and the gloss of a spot varnish creates the whole effect.

Lamination at a glance

Matt, gloss, soft touch, scuff-resistant matt, satin, gold and silver films.
Protection against rubbing, moisture and scratches.
The ideal base for spot varnish and hot foil stamping.
For soft, Integra or hardcovers, and for dust jackets and belly bands.
Colour rendering varies with the film selected.
Produced in France, in our own workshops.

Which books is it for?

Every cover, jacket and belly band: novels, comics and manga, children's books, guides, catalogues, diaries, art books. It is the most common finish — and often the first to budget for.

Frequently asked questions

Gloss, matt or soft touch: how do I choose?

Gloss saturates the colours and brings images forward. Matt settles the book down, cuts reflections and gives a dry feel. Soft touch adds a velvety hand you notice immediately, widely used on art books and brand catalogues.

Which lamination for a dark cover?

A standard matt film over a solid black shows every handling or usage mark. On that kind of cover, if you want a matt result, we always recommend a scuff-resistant matt film. You can of course also go for a gloss lamination.

Is lamination compatible with recycling?

The polypropylene films used today are very thin and accepted in the paper stream.
If your environmental specification is precise, mention it when you ask for a quote: we will look for the best option together.

Should the cover be laminated before spot varnish or foiling?

It is not compulsory, but strongly advised: the film protects the cover, improves the adhesion of the other finishes and enhances the final look of the cover.