The One-Two Punch

Naming a champion

In the package-printing ring, the match between in-line laminators and off-line laminators is a close one. However, the champion is ultimately decided by the converters.

"For many years, off-line laminating was clearly associated with European converters and in-line was more of an American phenomenon. Although the delineation may still exist, it is beginning to disappear as more North American companies purchase off-line laminators to diversify their product range and develop a more vertically integrated approach to their means of production. … Off-line laminators are the most convenient and cost-effective way to accomplish this," explained Runzel. Each process has its strengths and weaknesses, and both are still widely used, though Runzel observed that off-line laminators are experiencing wide growth.