I want to purchase a digital printer and plotter but have a question.
I need one that can also laminate the art work.
For someone just starting out and on a budget which one would I should purchase?
Thanks Jim
Posted by Graham Parsons (Member # 1129) on :
I don't think there is a digital printer that can also laminate - you need a separate laminator for that. I suppose the nearest would be a Gerber Edge, that will overprint with a clear foil such as UV Guard or FrogSkin. But these are more for UV protection - they don't have the thickness to offer much in the way of abrasion resistance.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I was going to make the same suggestion as Graham, although I think some of the abrasion protection that INKJETS (as opposed to the Thermal Edge printer) require is based on the fact that even a slight scrape on the ink can often leave a mark, both on eco-solvent, and to a lesser degree on full solvent prints. In that sense, I think even an unlaminated Edge print is more durable then any unlaminated inkjet print.
The Edge is a great machine & I wouldn't give up mine... but I think most people these days who refer to digital printer are wanting the amazing photo quality of inkjet. For that, I agree that laminating is a must & agree that no printer yet invented does this ... but there are alternatives to large expensive laminators, even though that's what I opted to get, with no regreats. One alternative would be the brush-on or roll-on liquid laminates. Another would be using something like the "Big Squeegee" to apply laminate film without the aid of a machine.
