The Auto Laminate Process

The Autolaminate process consist of transfering a pattern to an object using water displacement. Any material that is hard surfaced and non porous such as glass, wood, metals, fiberglass, ceramics and all types of plastics and can be submerged in water without harm can be printed. There are hundreds of patterns to choose from. You may choose to have a custom print produced from a photograph or a sample pattern to fit your product.

The most important step in the atulaminate process is the preparation of the article to be printed. Cleaning, sanding and the appropriate bonder/primer are then applied and sanded smooth.

A base coat is applied to correspond with the pattern to be printed. The color of the base coat controls the hue of the pattern. Such as a brown for a woodgrain print. We can also control the contrast through the application of both the base coat and finish coat.

The pattern you have chosen has been printed on a water soluble polyvinyl film. This film is carefully laid on top of water that is contained in a special made tank for Autolaminate printing.

An activating solvent is then applied by spray to the films pattern. As the film dissolves, it leaves the printed pattern floating evenly on top of the water.

The object being printed can now be dipped through the pattern. The water being displaced by the object causes the pattern to wrap around and adheres the print to the object no matter how complex the shape. Creating a continuous finish. The item is then rinsed to remove any residue and then air dried.

Several coats of a catalized automotive urethane is applied. You may choose a flat to a glass like high gloss finish. Automotive urethane finishes meets the most demanding standards for hardness, UV resistance, chemical resistance and adhesion. It is also easily maintained.

Finally we wet sand, buff, polish, and carefully package your item.

We have a very high standard of quality control. Nothing is shipped that isn't absolutely perfect. What you will recieve is a part that looks like it came straight from the factory.

The possibilities are endless of objects that can be printed as well as the hundreds of patterns that there are to choose from.

Autolaminate realizes that a close tolerance is critical when it comes to replacing printed parts. Autolaminate printing adds virtually no thickness, making replacement hassle free.

How Durable is Auto Laminate

Autolaminate Printing Process is very durable! We use only the highest grade materials. After all items are printed they receive a clear coat finish in either a high gloss, semi-gloss or matte finish. Master Decorators will help you determine which products will be best suited for your items. Weather you need UV resistance, scratch resistance, or flammability resistance