A carrier is a ledger paper stock coated on the inside with 
a silicone surface (the shiny side). Laminated pouches are 
inserted and then fed through a laminator using these 
carriers. Carriers provide the following benefits:

They apply uniform heat to thinner film (such as 3 mil) as
  it goes through the laminator, to keep it from adhering to the 
  laminator's rollers.
  
Allows operator to handle hot laminates as soon as they 
  come through the laminator.
  
Carriers are only used on pouch laminators 
  (not roll laminators). as it goes through the laminator, to 
  keep it from adhering to the laminator's rollers.

"Mil" is the industry term for thickness of laminating film. 
Typical sizes in the industry are 1.5, 3, 5, 7, and 10 mil. 1.5 mil 
is the thinnest film with 10-mil being the thickest film. 
Laminated pouches are identified as 3, 5, 7, or 10-mil product, 
which means you have the same thickness of film on both sides.

Example: A 5-mil pouch has the overall thickness of 10 mil 
when laminated.

Polyester is the substance in laminating film which provides 
strength, gloss, and durability. When ordering laminating film, 
it is important to know the make-up of the film: the more poly-
ester you have in the film the clearer the laminating will be. 
The overall thickness  can be further defined by the film make-
up. Example: A 10-mil film can  be 7/3 or a 4/6. Both numbers 
add up to 10, which is the overall  thickness mil of the film. 
The first number represents the polyester  in the film. In this 
case, a 7/3 has 70% polyester compared to a 4/6, which has 
40%. The more polyester in the film the more expensive the  
laminating pouch or roll will cost. However, your laminating 
will be  clearer using a 7/3 rather than a 4/6.

Along with polyester, resin is the other substance that gives 
laminating film its bonding properties. In the mil description, 
the second number in the film indicates the amount of resin 
in film. Example: A 10 mil (7/3) film has 70% polyester and 
30% resins for bonding.For items that are going to receive 
heavy handling you may need a high resin film such as a 4/6 
versus a 7/3.

A laminated pouch is a laminated product that has a front 
and a back where an insert may be placed for laminating. 
A seal is what holds the film together, allowing an insert to 
be placed between the film parts prior to laminating. 
The seal is 1/8" wide and may be on the longest or shortest 
side of the pouch. On a letter size pouch (9" x 11-1/2") the 
seal is on the  9" side. This would be considered a short 
sealed pouch.
  
Note: The seal of a laminated pouch is important in judging 
the quality of the pouch. The seal must be straight, not 
irregular because the seal helps align the inserted document 
easily in the pouch.

Any pouch which is not listed in our standard sizes. A special 
pouch also may be defined as any pouch on which a seal, 
slotting, printing, or other special features are required.

This is a tamper resistant film. If there is an attempt to peel the 
laminates open to alter its contents, the film will tear up the 
insert material and photo alerting the viewer that an alteration
was attempted.

Where laminated document will appear clear and glossy. 
This film is available in:

3mil - (2/1)
5mil - (3/2)
7mil - (5/2)
10mil - (4/6)
10mil - (7/3)
(For roll laminators a 1.5 mil is available)

A pouch that is formed by cutting the pouch size from a single 
sheet of laminating film. Unlike a laminated pouch a butterfly 
pouch doesn't have a seal but a score to fold the front 
and back over insert.

Laminating film that can be written on. This film will also reduce 
the glare of light to enhance scanning of bar codes or reduce 
glare from a photo.

Made up of laminating film (Pet) which can manufacture closed 
or with an open format to add additional items like photos, 
names, etc.

Hard plastic card used with video imaging systems. Can be 
made up of 100% PVC material or a composite material which 
allows card to bend without breaking.

The cardboard core that laminating film is rolled on. The normal 
industry size cores used in roll laminators are 1", 2-1/4" and 3".

An aggressive pressure sensitive backed film with a release liner, 
when removed the laminated insert may be applied to a surface.

A rectangular area which covers up a bar code on insert from 
being read or duplicated. Bar masks are printed in two colors - 
red or black. A black bar mask prevents the barcode to be read 
with the human eye but, will allow scanning equipment to read 
the bar code. Bar Code Masks add security to your card.

(Die Diffusion Film) This is specific film created for certain 
types of I.D. Printers. This film prevents chemicals on the 
photo-graphic material coming from these printers from 
interacting with laminated film resin. This prevents a brown-
out of the insert.

Stripes that can be encoded with specific information that can 
not be read with the human eye. This is a security feature where 
cards have to be scanned for time and attendance or access to 
secure areas. There are two types of stripes-;"low-coercity" or 
"high coercity" These stripes are available in 3/8" or 1/2" wide. 
Contact your equipment supplier to determine what is best for 
your magnetic stripe needs.

Laminating pouch quality is judged by:

Round corners: Consistency in the four corners on pouch
  (not clipped off.)

Clarity of lamination

Consistence in size of the pouch: Every pouch should be the 
  same size (some suppliers bag their pouches in small quantities 
  to cover up inconsistency in pouch sizes.)

This is a die cut area which appears in insert which is 1-3/4" 
x 2-3/4". This allows a photo to be inserted into this 
area allowing the surface of the pouch to laminate flat.

Is 1" x 1-1/4" in size allowing for I.D. Picture to be inserted.

Equipment needed to die cut photos to specific size.

Used for laminating standard size pouches. 
Pouch Laminators can be divided into two classifications-two 
or four roller machines.

Uses wide rolls of film to laminate items.

Rollers in laminator are used for the following reasons:

Removes air in laminated pouches to reduce air pockets

Uniformly spreads the resin, (the bonding material) to properly 
  seal a laminated pouch.

  (Generally a four roll laminator provides a better finished 
  product than a two roll laminator.)

Has an embedded computer chip on the front side of card and 
needs to be inserted into a smart card reader. When the card is 
inserted, contact is made with electrical connectors which 
transfer data to and from the chip. One application for a smart 
card is a telephone card that is pre-loaded with a certain value. 
As the card is used, the value is deducted.

Multi-Dimensional image which when applied to the inside 
  of a laminate film provides added protection from abrasion, 
  ultraviolet light, dye migration. The major benefit results 
  in protection from counterfeiting and alteration of the 
  documents. Holograms may be classified into two categories:

Opaque (non-see through)-this is the type of hologram you 
  would find on bank credit cards.

Translucent (see-through) so text or information on document 
  is not covered up. In translucent holograms there are two 
  types available Embossed or Photopolymer. The photo-
  polymer provides the highest security with a bright, viewable, 
  real 3D image.

Raised seal increases security and can not be duplicated. 
Does not flatten after lamination. Can be customized to 
specific customer account.

Term used for item inserted into laminating pouch. Inserts may 
be on paper stock, but require a minimum size of 1/8" smaller 
than out side dimensions of laminating pouch. ILC has insert 
material called Super-Lam that looks like paper but is a film 
material. An 1/8" is not required around insert which can be the 
same size as pouch.

Printing on inside of laminating film so it can not be altered from 
the outside once product is laminated closed. This printing can 
not be seen, however when document is placed under UV Light 
the printing is immediately visible. This allows for verification 
of card.

Various shades of printed colors across face of insert making 
  duplication or copying of insert difficult.

Looks like an ordinary plastic card. The inside of the card 
contains a computer chip and an antenna coil. This card 
allows communication with a Remote Receiver / Transmitter. 
A typical application is for transit systems where a value 
may be loaded and as the card travels past a location the 
card value is reduced. Since tickets don't have to be 
stamped, this saves a significant amount of time for a 
transit system.

This is a postage stamp size card that has seven gold con-
tacts on front. This card contains 2-8 MB Chip. This card is 
used for Digital Database systems. The card offers a high 
capacity and rapid access system for access control.

Single or double lock molded plastic strap used with 
luggage tags.

Works like a belt buckle. May vary in color due to natural incon-
sistency of leather (used with luggage tags).

Works like belt buckle. The back is fabric reinforced for added 
durability and strength (used with luggage tags).

Continuous loop also called spaghetti straps, worm straps or 
lug loops. To use-insert one end in slot and back through loop 
and pull tight.

Thin, rigid plastic strap sometimes has a color.

Thin, flexible plastic strap, clear in color.

Square metal pad with adhesive on. Has paper peel off to 
reveal adhesive.

Rectangular plastic or metal base with alligator teeth with 
safety pin mounted crosswise on clip. Has adhesive back 
with release liner.

Nickel-plated stainless steel chains used to hold ID Badges 
around neck.

Cloth ropes which hold ID Badges around neck.

Product made with heavy vinyl clear film sealed on three sides. 
Made to hold insert vertically or horizontally.