Foam Core Mounting and More at Classic Laminations
Learn More About our Mounting Services and Get a Free Quote
Capabilities
Classic Laminations added mounting services to our list of print finishing capabilities in 2008. Our capabilities for small to large format print finishing services set us apart from many others in the metro Cleveland Ohio area. Today, mounting is one of our largest business segments and it continues to be a great growth area serving the local needs. As commercial printers and in-house end users capitalize on the growing wide format market, we have found that the requirement for mounted poster board and foam core mounting services are growing in parallel with this demand.
Classic Laminations can mount any size piece up to four feet by eight feet using a wide variety of mounting substrates such as Fome-Cor®, Gatorfoam®, Styrene, Sintra®, Chipboard, or SBS Board in thicknesses ranging from 10 pt to ½” and up. We have great flexibility in our capabilities for mounting foam core, foam board, poster mounting, Gator board mounting, magnets, mouse pads, and more. Whether you have a single item need or a large volume project, we can provide the custom mounting service for your business in the Cleveland Ohio area and surrounding cities.
Optional finishing features we can provide for you include:
- Overlaminating after mounting is complete
- Adding grommets for hanging
- Inserting “H” stakes for outdoor use
- Attaching a custom easel for point of sale display or counter card
No matter what your desired finished look is, we will transform your documents, charts, and posters into beautiful displays and can add framing to complete the project. To discuss your small or large format mounting project further, request a free quote from Classic Laminations, and one of our experts will give you a call to discuss all options. You can count on us to get the laminating and mounting done right and on time.
Mounting Substrates
We are experts at recommending the best mounting substrate based on the end use of your mounted piece. For example, we know which mounting boards are “pillowing” vs. “non-pillowing,” meaning whether or not the edges of the mounting board spring back when die cut. The 3D effect created with “pillowing” boards is desirable for some projects. Below we describe the features and capabilities of several common print mounting substrates. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we will get it for you. Our history is built on serving the graphic arts community in Cleveland Ohio and the surrounding region.
Sintra® PVC Foam Board
This is the brand name for lightweight ultra-rigid, dent-resistant foam board of moderately expanded closed-cell foamed PVC (polyvinylchloride) plastic in a homogeneous sheet. Due to the market dominance of Sintra®, it is the most familiar brand name and is frequently used as a generic term for PVC foam board. Its PVC plastic composition makes it a great choice for foam board mounting for outdoor applications.
Both the top and bottom surfaces are smooth with a low-gloss matte finish. Sintra® is available in six calipers: 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 6 mm (or 0.25”), 10 mm and 13 mm (or 0.5”).
All calipers are available in bright white, and all but 1mm is available in black. The other six available colors (grey, light gray, dark red, bright yellow, dark green and dark blue) are only available in 3mm and 6mm.
Depending on the caliper, Sintra® is half to one-third the weight of solid PVC yet rigid and durable with superior dent and scratch resistance. These types of foam mounted prints are resistant to moisture and many chemicals. Sintra® is non-hygroscopic (does not absorb moisture from the air), acid-free, and has minimal outgassing for archival use. It can be stapled, nailed, riveted, glued and thermoformed. Sintra® is a homogeneous material that allows for ease of cutting without regard to grain direction.
Sintra® will slightly change color when used outdoors, with the amount of color change dependent on the original color, UV levels and other exposure conditions. This is the case with all materials using organic pigments. Like most plastic materials, Sintra will have less impact resistance in cold temperatures. Thicker gauges have more impact resistance; therefore, 6mm, or approximately ¼” thick, is the recommended minimum gauge for outdoor signage. Sintra® also expands and contracts with temperature changes, so this is a consideration when mounting large sheets for outdoor signage.
Gatorfoam® Board or Gator Board
Gatorfoam® Board has a light, durable core of extruded polystyrene foam, bonded on both sides to patented Luxcell® wood fiber veneer facings. The veneer is a multi-layered, proprietary resin-impregnated Kraft paper surface that provides durability and moisture resistance. It is an excellent surface for silk screening, laminating, painting, and photo mounting. The hardness of the core combined with the veneer results in a board that can only be cut with a table saw. It is dent and scratch resistant and is considered the original heavy-duty graphic art board. Gatorfoam® Board is available in seven thicknesses: 3/16”, 3/8”, 1/2″, 3/4’”, 1”, 1 1/2”, 1 3/4”, and 2”. The foam center is available in white and black, and the facers are available in white, black and natural.
Fome-Cor® Board
This is the industry leading, economical paper faced foam board used mainly for short-term indoor displays. Fome-Cor® is a comprised of extruded polystyrene foam with clay-coated paper facers. The foam center is unaffected by moisture, but the paper facers are hence the lower durability. It is perfect for die-cutting and provides a compressed edge that stays closed (creating a so-called pillow effect). Fome-Cor® is unique in that it can be embossed or debossed for 3-D displays. However, this also means that any accidental impressions or dents can permanently damage the board. Fome-Cor® also cuts easily with a sharp razor blade. It is available in 1/8,″ 3/16,″ and 3/8″ with white foam and white facers, 3/16″ in black foam with white facers, and both 3/16″ and 3/8″ with black foam and black facers.
Mightycore® Board or Mighty Board
This board offers extra strength and rigidity compared to Fome-Cor®. Its super rigid extruded polystyrene core resists denting, bending or crushing. The multilayer cap sheet provides added security against warping and assures it will remain flat in humid conditions. Its paper layer provides strength and scratch resistance and can be screen printed/silk screened. You will find it available in white foam core with white facers, black foam with white facers for dramatic effect, and solid black — black foam core with black facers to add bold contrast to your mounting project.
Coroplast Smooth™ or Corplast
This is corrugated plastic made from polypropylene copolymer that is coextruded into a twin-wall fluted sheet. Coroplast Smooth™ is tougher than corrugated fiberboard and lighter than extruded plastic sheet. It is waterproof and stain and chemical resistant, which makes it ideal for outdoor projects. Other uses include point of purchase, indoor graphic displays, retail signs, real estate signs, campaign signs, bus signage, special event advertising, and trade displays. A metal wire “H” stake can be used to stick the sign in the ground for display. Coroplast Smooth™ is UV stabilized and electrostatically treated by corona discharge on both sides to promote adhesion of specially formulated inks and adhesives. It can be printed with flatbed digital printers. It is available in many standard colors including white, black, yellow, blue, green, natural, Granby blue, and JM gray.
SBS Board or Solid Bleached Sulfate Board
Bleached paperboard or solid bleached sulfate (SBS) is a premium paperboard that is produced from a furnish containing at least 80 percent virgin bleached sulfate wood pulp. You will find that this board has particularly good strength and bending qualities. Most bleached paperboard is coated with a thin layer of kaolin clay to provide a smooth printing and mounting surface. Common thicknesses include 24, 50 and 100 PT when used for mounting projects.
Styrene
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is an excellent choice for thin frame mounting projects that require a super smooth mounting surface and rigidity. HIPS is a thermoplastic made by blending standard polystyrene with resins that improve impact resistance.
E-Flute
This is a type of corrugated cardboard with a fine flute that is an inexpensive mounting board alternative providing excellent crush resistance. Being paper based, it is not recommended for mounting projects used outdoors.
Chip Board
An inexpensive single ply paperboard made from mixed waste papers to a low density, used when durability or appearance are not important factors.
News Board
A paperboard made from reclaimed newspapers that is used primarily in the setup box trade. It is also used as a core for lining one or both faces with a higher quality paper.
Finishing Services
Counter Mats
Send Classic Laminations your digital image and we will laminate it, mount it to a special nonskid pad, and die strike it to shape and size, creating a durable counter mat used for retail sales applications. These eye-catching custom counter mats will help drive sales by providing quick and convenient access to product information.
Magnet Cards
We have the capability of transforming your mounted piece into a promotional magnet. We will take your digital image and laminate it, adhere it to special mounting magnet tape, and die-strike it to your particular shape and size. Consider this option when needing magnetized save the dates.
Mouse Pads
We can create custom mouse pads with your printed piece by mounting it on special mouse pad material. Consider using personalized mouse pads as holiday gifts or a part of your employee onboarding desk materials.
Plastic Edging / Framing
With our Pro-Edge framing machine, we can frame your mounted piece with plastic edging to give it a professional, finished picture frame look that also protects the edges from dents and crushing. This is especially helpful with less rigid mounting boards like Fome-Cor, where depending on the use, the edges can become ragged if unprotected. Framing is available in eleven colors, including pewter, gold, gloss and matte black, chrome, red, white, blue, clear, brushed brass, and brushed aluminum.
Easels
Classic Laminations specializes in creating freestanding Point of Purchase displays by attaching an easel to the back of your mounted piece. We can accommodate many easel sizes, up to five feet tall, in single and double wing styles. We stock a wide variety of sizes and styles to meet your needs.
Eyelets / Grommets
We can punch holes to hang the mounted piece as a sign and can reinforce the holes with eyelets or grommets.
Overlaminating
Enhance the visual quality of your printed piece while protecting it from dirt and the elements by overlaminating it after mounting. Our specialists will recommend the right laminator film for your particular application.
Taping
We can apply Velcro® tape to the back of your mounted poster printing piece, so you can attach it to a trade show display and later remove it without damaging the tradeshow fabric wall. Depending on your particular application, many other tapes are available including permanent / removable, permanent / permanent, magnet, and foam.
Terminology
Back to Back
This is the term for mounting printed pieces on both sides of foam core or poster board to make a two sided display, for example in hanging display signs.
Board paper
General term for paper over 110# index, 80# cover or 200 gsm that is commonly used for products such as file folders, displays and post cards. Also called paperboard.
Eyeletting
We do this process to punch small holes into a material for attaching grommets, cords or hooks for hanging.
Eyelet
Eyelets are rimmed metal or plastic grommets inserted into the holes of a sign or banner for reinforcement.
Grommet
Grommets are a metal reinforcement, usually in the form of a round ring, mounted in the edge or corners of a printed sign or banner for hanging.
Grommeting
This is the process of applying metal reinforcements (grommets) into holes punched in edges or corners of a banner, display, or sign for hanging.
SBS
This is an abbreviation for solid bleached sulfate (SBS), a premium paperboard made from a furnish containing at least 80 percent virgin-bleached sulfate wood pulp and has particularly good strength and bending qualities. Most bleached paperboard is coated with a thin layer of kaolin clay to improve its printing surface.
Screen Printing
A printing process where a squeegee forces thick, opaque ink through a fine fabric mesh (the screen) onto the surface to be printed. The image is created by applying an emulsion or stencil to the screen to block out the negative (non-printing) areas. This process is also known as silk screen printing, and it can be used on fabrics, select poster and foam core boards, and more.
Sulphate Wood Pulp
Paper pulp made from wood chips cooked under pressure in a solution of caustic soda (lye) and sodium sulphide in the white liquor solution used to separate lignin from cellulose fibers in the Kraft process. This process produces stronger fibers (“Kraft” is German for strong) and is able to use a wider variety of wood types. This allows the pulping mill to recover and re-use the inorganic pulping chemicals.
Sulphite Wood Pulp
Paper pulp made from wood chips cooked under pressure in a solution of bisulphite of lime in the Sulphite process to separate lignin from cellulose fibers. The Sulphite process dominated until the 1940s, at which time the Kraft process surpassed it. It is still used to make fine paper, tissue and glassine. However, the yield of pulp, based on wood used, is higher than the Kraft process and Sulphite pulp is easier to bleach.