Laminating is the process of covering a graphic image with a clear, plastic coating, and the type of laminating adhesive used is important to the laminate's durability. A variety of uses are possible for laminate, including industrial laminate for construction and office laminate for printing businesses and personal use. Construction businesses use two main lamination adhesives, solvent-based and water-based.

Small businesses and offices regularly use adhesive laminating pouches, self-adhesive laminate and adhesive laminating sheets. Some of these products require the use of a laminating machine, while others are peel-and-stick type laminates.

Before you buy laminating adhesive, consider the following:

1. Solvent based plastic laminate adhesive is known for its strength, firmness, weather resistance and bond. Weather temperatures can affect water based adhesive, although this adhesive is cheaper than solvent based.

2. The application of most laminating adhesives is done with either a brush or roller. Some adhesives are spray-on, which are better for large surface areas.

3. A small business or office benefits the most from self adhesive laminate sheets. This saves on costs because you won't need laminator machines, nor the electricity needed to run them.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know which sort of laminating adhesive is best for your project

The best adhesive for laminate in residential projects is solvent-based. It's strong and durable, rarely curls or shrinks, and hardly loses its finish. Water-based adhesives are good in highly flammable areas, because water-based solvents are less flammable. Hot-melt adhesives, which are good for laminate edging and contact adhesives, also are available.

I recommend: Shop for contact adhesives, water-based adhesives and specialty adhesives at Wilsonart International. Browse a selection of various lamination adhesives at EC21 Inc.

Determine the application you need for applying laminating adhesives

The most common way of applying adhesives is with a paint roller or large paint brush. However if you're laminating a large surface area, a spray-on adhesive for laminate shortens your labor time. If you're working with a small surface area, such as a small counter top, a self-adhesive laminate would work better.

I recommend: Check out self adhesive kitchen cabinet laminate at The Kitchen Doctor Limited. Use a water-based spray-on adhesive from Alfa Adhesives, Inc.

Use adhesive laminating film for office and marketing needs

Laminating film is great for business cards, photographs, banners, posters and important office documents. There are adhesive laminating pouches where you simply place the document inside and seal. Some laminating sheets are pre-printed with a grid pattern so you can cut straight lines for separating documents after laminating.

I recommend: Choose from a large supply of laminating pouches at MyBinding.com. Look over a variety of laminators, self-adhesive laminate sheets, laminating pouches and laminating rolls at Rapid Supplies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be careful of buying laminate adhesive simply because it's cheap. Unless you know the laminating adhesives suppliers are offering a great product at a discounted price, stay away from that product. Most cheap laminate adhesives end up puckering, tunneling, shrinking or de-laminating, because the quality of the adhesive is substandard.