The stock used for book covers is actually just paper believe it or not. It has a plastic-y glossiness because of the ink. The process is really cool, but I used to be a graphic designer and love print shops so I fully admit I am biased.
It kind of is? There are some chemistry shenanigans going on to get the ink to dry with a high gloss finish. To be fair, that might involve plastics (I don’t know off hand), but it can be run on a normal press so heat is not available for melting a normal laminate.
Heat Laminated paper is more durable, but also more expensive than other commercial durable papers and at scale is cost prohibitive. It’s why the local diner has a laminated menu and the chain restaurant (usually) doesn’t.
Pretty sure the book cover is mostly plastic as well.
The stock used for book covers is actually just paper believe it or not. It has a plastic-y glossiness because of the ink. The process is really cool, but I used to be a graphic designer and love print shops so I fully admit I am biased.
Oh neat I always figured it was some kind of laminate.
It kind of is? There are some chemistry shenanigans going on to get the ink to dry with a high gloss finish. To be fair, that might involve plastics (I don’t know off hand), but it can be run on a normal press so heat is not available for melting a normal laminate.
Heat Laminated paper is more durable, but also more expensive than other commercial durable papers and at scale is cost prohibitive. It’s why the local diner has a laminated menu and the chain restaurant (usually) doesn’t.