Restaurant menus are handled frequently and are often exposed to water, beverages, cleaning products, and sometimes even industrial dishwashers. In order to protect menus against wear-and-tear during handling and sanitizing, D&K Group recommends using ENDURA OVERLAM®polyester laminating films. Polyester films are very tough, durable, and provide a high degree of protection for menus.
For the best possible results, menus should be encapsulated (laminated on both sides with a sealed edge left around the entire perimeter). Encapsulation essentially seals in the paper and offers the greatest protection to extend the life of printed menus. Encapsulation prevents water or moisture from being absorbed into the edges of the paper, which makes menus fall apart.
Leaving a sealed edge around the paper is the only way to completely protect menus from damage caused by liquids wicking into the sides. Flush cutting laminating films to the edge of a menu page only provides protection for the front and back of the sheet. Even though paper is very thin, the edges are still vulnerable to moisture if left unprotected.
Menu pages that are encapsulated with many common laminating films will still fall apart over time. This is due to the primers and adhesives used in most standard polyester overlams. Most polyester laminating films used to protect menus are made with water-based primers and adhesives. These water-based ingredients eventually absorb water from the surrounding environment, ultimately causing the adhesive to separate from the polyester film. This process accelerates when menus are placed in dishwashers or cleaned with harsh chemicals.
Laminating Waterproof Menus with ENDURA OVERLAMS®
This sample menu was laminated (encapsulated) with ENDURA OVERLAMS® and placed in a fish tank for two years. It’s still completely waterproof with no signs of delamination or other failures.
D&K Group’s ENDURA OVERLAMS® are completely waterproof and are ideal for menu applications. These ENDURA OVERLAMS® are made with polyester base films that will never separate from the adhesive, even if left in standing water or run through a dishwasher. ENDURA OVERLAMS® are available in thicknesses up to 10 mil for rigid, durable menu pages.
ENDURA OVERLAMS® are also compatible with synthetic papers that are frequently used for printed menus. Using a synthetic sheet such as Teslin, PVC, stone paper, etc. in place of paper allows for an even more durable and elegant menu look. Using synthetic print stocks in conjunction with ENDURA OVERLAMS® creates a classy, waterproof menu that is suitable for all types of establishments including high-end restaurants and bars.
Contact D&K Group for more information on ENDURA OVERLAMS® or for a sample of these menu laminating films.
