lamination

n.A process of fusing layers of materials into a composite.Applying a thin plastic coating to a planar document to give it additional strength and protect it from the environment.

Notes

Silking is an example of lamination1, although the process generally uses an adhesive that makes it relatively easy to separate the silk. - Lamination2 connotes use of a thermoplastic film that is applied to the document using heat and pressure, or a sheet of plastic attached with an adhesive through the use of a solvent. If the document is not deacidified before lamination, it will continue to deteriorate through inherent vice. Lamination2 is generally not considered appropriate for archival preservation because the plastic may interact with the document over time and because the film is difficult to remove. Lamination differs from encapsulation because the latter does not attach the protective film to the document and is reversible.