Laminating Industry Applications
PTFE tape for laminator rollers, platens, and guide surfaces across print, signage, packaging, and manufacturing
Last updated: February 2026
PTFE tape is applied to the heated rollers and contact surfaces of laminating machines to prevent adhesive film, coating residue, and laminate material from sticking during the lamination process. The tape's non-stick PTFE surface and heat resistance (rated to +260°C continuous) keep rollers clean, reduce downtime, and ensure consistent lamination quality across commercial print shops, signage businesses, packaging converters, and industrial laminating lines.
GORTEF supplies PTFE coated glass fabric tapes and PTFE skived film tapes in custom widths and thicknesses for laminating equipment across Australia and New Zealand.
Where Is PTFE Tape Used in Laminating Machines?
Laminating machines bond two or more layers of material together using heat and pressure. During this process, adhesive films, coatings, and substrates can stick to the machine's heated surfaces, causing jams, surface defects, and costly downtime. PTFE tape is applied to the following areas:
Heated Rollers
The primary application. PTFE tape is wrapped around hot rollers to create a non-stick release surface that prevents laminate film and adhesive from bonding to the roller. Without tape, adhesive buildup causes the laminate to wrinkle, track unevenly, or tear.
Pressure Rollers and Nip Points
Even unheated pressure rollers benefit from PTFE tape when processing adhesive-coated materials. The tape prevents adhesive transfer and reduces cleaning requirements.
Feed Tables and Guide Surfaces
PTFE tape on flat guide surfaces reduces friction and prevents substrates from sticking as they feed into the laminator. This is especially important for pre-coated or tacky materials.
Separator Plates and Release Surfaces
In flatbed laminators and press laminators, PTFE tape on heated platens provides the release surface needed to prevent direct bonding between the press and the laminate stack.
What Types of Laminating Equipment Use PTFE Tape?
Hot Roll Laminators
The most common type in commercial print and signage. Heated rollers melt an adhesive film that bonds to the substrate as it passes through. PTFE tape on the hot rollers prevents film adhesion and ensures a smooth finish. Operating temperatures typically range from 80–160°C.
Pouch Laminators
Smaller units used in offices and print shops. The heated rollers inside pouch laminators can accumulate adhesive residue from pouch edges. PTFE tape extends roller life and prevents jams from adhesive transfer.
Wide-Format Laminators
Used in signage, graphics, and display production for laminating large-format prints. These machines process adhesive-backed films and overlaminate films at widths up to 1600 mm or more. PTFE tape is essential on the heated rollers to prevent large-area film sticking.
Industrial Laminating Lines
High-speed continuous laminating used in packaging conversion, building materials, and composite manufacturing. PTFE tape or PTFE-coated belts on heated sections provide release surfaces for adhesive films, foils, and coatings at production speeds. Operating temperatures can reach 200°C or higher in some processes.
Flatbed and Press Laminators
Used for board lamination, solar panel manufacturing, and PCB layup. PTFE sheet or tape on the heated platens prevents the laminated stack from bonding to the press surfaces. In solar panel lamination, PTFE cloth is used as a release layer between the EVA encapsulant and the laminator platen.
Which Industries Use PTFE Tape in Laminating?
Print and Graphics
Commercial printers, copy shops, and wide-format print houses laminate prints for protection and gloss. PTFE tape on laminator rollers is a standard consumable in these businesses.
Signage and Display
Sign makers laminate vinyl graphics, posters, and display panels. Wide-format laminators processing pressure-sensitive films rely on PTFE roller surfaces to prevent film tracking issues.
Packaging and Converting
Film-to-film and film-to-board lamination in flexible packaging production uses PTFE-coated surfaces throughout the converting line to prevent adhesive buildup on rollers and guide rails.
Electronics and PCB Manufacturing
Multi-layer PCB lamination presses use PTFE release sheets between the press plates and the copper-clad laminates. PTFE prevents epoxy resin from bonding to the press during the high-temperature cure cycle.
Solar Panel Manufacturing
Solar module laminators use PTFE-coated fiberglass cloth as a release layer during the EVA encapsulation process, where temperatures reach 140–160°C under vacuum. The PTFE prevents the molten EVA from bonding to the laminator surfaces.
Building Materials and Flooring
Lamination of decorative films onto MDF, chipboard, and flooring substrates requires non-stick heated roller surfaces. PTFE tape prevents hot-melt adhesive from transferring to the rollers.
How to Choose PTFE Tape for Your Laminator
The right PTFE tape depends on your laminator type, operating temperature, and what materials you're processing:
| Application | Recommended Product | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pouch laminator rollers | TCG003AD (3 thou) | Thin tape conforms to small-diameter rollers without affecting heat transfer |
| Hot roll laminator (general) | TCG005AD (5 thou) | Best balance of durability and heat transfer for most commercial laminators |
| Wide-format / high-volume laminators | TCG005AD or TCG010AD | Thicker tape lasts longer under continuous high-volume use |
| Feed tables and guide surfaces | TFT005AD (film tape) | PTFE film tape provides a smooth, low-friction guide surface |
| Flatbed press / solar laminator | TCG010AD (10 thou) | Heavy-duty tape withstands the pressure of platen-style presses |
All GORTEF PTFE tapes are supplied in standard 1000 mm widths and can be custom-cut to match your roller circumference or platen dimensions. For temperature specifications and product comparisons, see our Teflon tape guide.
When Should You Replace PTFE Tape on a Laminator?
Inspect the PTFE tape on your laminator rollers and surfaces during regular maintenance. Replace the tape when you notice:
- Adhesive or film residue sticking to the tape surface where it previously released cleanly
- Visible wear, scratches, or thinning of the PTFE coating
- Discolouration or browning from prolonged heat exposure
- Edge lifting or delamination that could catch laminate material
- Wrinkles, bubbles, or creases in the finished laminate (may indicate uneven tape wear)
For high-volume commercial laminators, expect to replace roller tape every 4–12 weeks depending on throughput and operating temperature. Light-use laminators may go 3–6 months between changes. For detailed maintenance guidance, see our article on how often to change PTFE tape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adhesive film sticks to bare metal or worn roller surfaces because the hot adhesive bonds more strongly to the roller than to the substrate. PTFE tape creates a low-surface-energy barrier (the coefficient of friction is approximately 0.05–0.10) that prevents this adhesion.
Yes. PTFE coated glass fabric tape (TCG series) is flexible enough to wrap around rollers. For small-diameter rollers, use the thinner 3 thou tape (TCG003AD) which conforms more easily to tight curves. Apply the tape in a spiral wrap with 5–10 mm overlap for full coverage.
PTFE coated glass fabric tape (TCG series) has a woven fiberglass base for strength and is best for heated rollers and high-wear surfaces. PTFE skived film tape (TFT series) is smoother and thinner, best for flat guide surfaces and feed tables where low friction is the priority.
Most commercial hot roll laminators operate between 80–160°C. Industrial laminating lines for packaging and composites can reach 200°C or more. PTFE tape is rated for continuous use to +260°C, so it handles all standard laminating temperatures with margin.
You May Also Be Interested In
- PTFE Adhesive Tapes — Browse tapes for laminator rollers and platens
- PTFE Skived Film Tapes — Low-friction tapes for guide surfaces
- Packaging Industry — PTFE solutions for packaging converting lines
- How Often to Change PTFE Tape — Maintenance and replacement guide
- What Is Teflon Tape? — Understanding industrial PTFE tape types
GORTEF PTFE Tapes for Laminating
TCG003AD
TCG005AD
TCG010AD
TFT003AD
TFT005AD
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