If you really want to add foil to your prints, you don't necessarily need to go out and buy a brand new machine. The real question is: Does your laminator have a take-up mandrel (rewind reel)? If yes, you're already most of the way there!
What your laminator needs to handle foiling
Let’s keep this short and useful. There are three things to look at:
1) A motorized take-up mandrel (rewind reel)
This is the must-have. After foil transfers to the print, and the scrap film is released, it needs somewhere to go. And if your laminator can’t rewind that used film, it will bunch up, wrinkle, or wrap around rollers.
2) Your roller type (chrome vs. rubber)
This affects how easy foiling will be, not whether it’s possible.
- Chrome rollers usually give stronger, even pressure and steady heat. That means better results.
- Rubber rollers can still work well. You may just need a bit more pressure or a tighter nip to get good results. Try running a piece of thick cardboard under your sheet.
3) Basic control over heat, speed, and pressure
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to foiling, and especially across jobs. So make sure you have some leeway to adjust the basics: temperature, speed and pressure. And be sure to run a few test sheets to dial in your settings.
So… do you need a new laminator?
Here’s the straight answer:
If your laminator has a motorized take-up mandrel, you can usually run digital foiling on it.
Everything else just affects how smooth the process is.
But there is a caveat: If you're doing volume jobs, you don't want to be jerry-rigging a laminator to run 500 sheets every week. So in that case, we recommend that you invest in something a bit more efficient that can handle the workload.
Not sure if your current setup can work? We can help you confirm if your laminator is a good fit and how to get the best results, fast.
And if you do need an upgrade, we have laminator options starting around $5000 USD.
Either way, we're happy to help. Our goal is to get you making more money by adding foil to your prints!