Laminate won't stick to digital toner prints

Standard EVA thermal adhesive was designed for offset ink on paper. Digital presses leave fuser oil, waxy toner or polymer ink on the surface, and plain EVA has trouble bonding to any of them.

Know your press

• Toner presses that use fuser oil leave an oily film. The fix is a digital adhesive built to bond through it.
• Dry-ink presses with heavy solids can soften under a hot roller. Low-melt digital film keeps the heat down.
• HP Indigo ink is a special case. Some film makers offer adhesives specifically for Indigo, and some film is listed as Indigo-compatible with standard adhesive. Check the spec sheet before you buy.

What to try

1. Switch to a film sold for digital toner (look for digital, super-stick, high-tack or similar adhesive names).
2. Let prints cool and off-gas before laminating. Fresh prints straight off a hot fuser bond worse.
3. Run a test strip and peel it the next day. Some digital adhesives keep building bond strength.
4. If the film still won't hold, check the press settings with your dealer. Excess fuser oil is sometimes adjustable.

Browse digital films

Films with digital adhesives · films listed for toner output