Lamination increases the lifespan of ID cards, allowing them to stand up to daily use better than their non-laminated versions. Not sure lamination is worth it for your ID card program? If you want your cards to last longer, it’s something you should consider!

Lamination works by adding a clear film layer over the top of your ID cards. This layer is thicker and more durable than the standard Overlay panel included in an YMCKO ribbon, so your card can resists scratches, marks, and sunlight damage better.

One of the most common ways cards are damaged is by constant swiping of magnetic stripes. If your organization uses mag stripe cards to unlock doors, pay for meals or parking, check out materials, and more every day, your cards will wear our much faster without lamination.

While a lamination upgrade will add to the cost of the printer, compare the longer card lifespan to the time and materials to reissue damaged cards that wear our faster.

There’s a style of lamination that works with any card design – lamination can be single or dual-sided, and specialized lamination films are available for magnetic stripe cards, signature panel cards, and smart chip cards. Additionally, you can get lamination film with holographic patterns to increase the visual security of your ID cards.

Learn more about lamination in our Learning Center, or shop all laminating ID card systems.