They are to graphics as an offensive line is to a star quarterback, a pit crew is to a championship car driver, or even a caddy is to a golfer: Remove them from the equation, and you can be mired in mediocrity or—even worse—inadequacy. They are laminates and protective films, and while proper use to the casual observer can make a project’s graphics shine as the star, insiders know that what you don’t see might just be the project’s MVP.

What follows is a compilation of more than 75 laminate and graphic-protection sources. For purposes of this list, we have only listed primary producers, manufacturers, and suppliers of laminates and graphic protection for the wide-format market, as well as companies that have their own branded media; we have not listed distributors/dealers who are simply selling another company’s brand.

Advanced Finishing Solutions
advfinishing.com
EnduraCoat aqueous liquid coatings for fleet, anti-graffiti, fine art, sign and banner, and digital wallpaper; InstaCure UV-curable coatings for gloss and matte applications.

Advanced Greig Laminators
aglinc.com
Cover-Rite thermal and pressure-sensitive overlaminate films in matte, gloss, textured, and luster finishes.

Advantage Distribution
advantagedistribution.com
Its line of Advan-Tac Economy laminating films include pressure-sensitive, 4-mil GlossLam-UV, 3-mil PS Laminate, 2-mil PS High Gloss PolyLam, and 1-mil PS Clear Dry Erase.

Advantage Sign Supply
advantagesignsupply.com
The Optima Opti-Koat line includes: clear and white double-sided adhesive; Xtreme Grip; PSA floor mat; dry erase; available in gloss, lustre, satin, and matte finishes.

Arlon
arlon.com
Overlaminates include Series 3200 2-mil, optically clear; Series 3220/3230, matte or gloss; Series 3350, clear anti-graffiti; and Series 3420, calendered matte or gloss.

Artgrafix.com
artgrafix.com
Acid-free cold (matte, gloss, luster) and canvas-texture laminates; scuff-resistant films (matte, gloss); also 1.5- to 3-mil roll-laminator films (matte or gloss).

Art Unica
unicadigital.com
DuraLam+ (gloss, matte, luster, and satin) and DuraSolv+.

Aslan-Schwarz
aslan-schwarz.com
Self-adhesive polyester and PVC laminating films, including Aslan SL Series for a variety of applications, available in various finishes, textures, and thicknesses; also MP Series for floor graphics.

Avery Dennison
averygraphics.com
DOL pressure-sensitive overlaminates include ultimate cast DOL 1060 (gloss), 1080 (matte), 1360 (gloss), and 1560 (optically clear); high performance calendered DOL 2060 (gloss), 2070 (luster), and 2080 (matte); promo calendered DOL 3060 (gloss), 3070 (luster), and 3080 (matte); and DOL 6060 anti-graffiti specialty film. New to ultimate cast line are 1.3-mil DOL 1370 (luster) and 1380 (matte).

Bienfang Products
bienfangproducts.com
Array of specialty adhesive films. New is Bienfang RagMount low-melt designed for dry-mounting Giclée prints and fine-art prints to paper. Also, Texturing and Finish Guard UV films in various finishes and textures for fine-art applications.

Breathing Color
breathingcolor.com
Glamour 2 Veneer is a canvas/ giclée varnish that is water-based and non-yellowing; available in gloss or matte.

Bulldog Products
bulldogproducts.com
Fine-art/canvas coatings include Ultra glossy/gloss/semi-gloss (liquid or aerosol); AquaLam gloss/satin (liquid); Dreamguard matte/satin (liquid); and Impasto textured gloss/satin (gel).

CalComp Graphic Solutions
calcompgs.com
Pressure-sensitive, cold-laminated PVC films include Artisan Econo, PS, Crystal PS, Polycarbonate PS, and PS Dry Erase; thermal-laminated cast films include gloss, satin, matte, clear.

Catalina Graphics
catalinagraphicfilms.com
CM polyester films, CP polypropylene and polycarbonate films, CV flexible vinyl, and SRV embossed rigid vinyl.

Clear Focus
clearfocus.com
ClearLam optically clear polyester, pressure-sensitive, cold-mount overlaminate (flat installations only); CurvaLam conformable, glossy, cold-mount PVC for vehicle- and window-graphics; and PerfxCoat hot-mount coating for solvents (not recommended for aqueous or UV-cured inks).

ClearStar
clearstarcorp.com
UV-protective coatings include ClearShield for solvent-based and non-water-sensitive inks (gloss, semi-gloss, matte, satin); and ClearJet and ClearJet Fine Art for water-based and water-sensitive inks (gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss).

Coda
codamount.com
ThermaPro series of low-melt laminates available in high-gloss, matte (cut-to-size); Cold-mount pressure-sensitive Smooth overlaminate in glossy, luster, matte, and Elam (for dry-erase marker applications); Cold-mount pressure-sensitive Textured overlaminate in canvas, stipple, and Lexan.

D&K Group
dkgroup.com
Expression line of thermal, pressure-sensitive, and low-melt films and laminates, in various thicknesses, widths, and finishes; also available is its SuperStick line of heat-assist, linerless laminates.

Daige
daige.com
Rollaguard liquid coating (gloss or satin finish) for outdoor signage as well as canvas fine-art prints. Also offers a line of cold laminates in gloss, luster, and matte.
Drytac
drytac.com
Pressure-sensitive films include Protac, Interlam, and Interlam Eco; Heat-activated films include ArtShield, MediaShield, and MHL (low-temp). Available in various finishes. Liquid coatings include EnduraCoat Aqueous and InstaCure UV.

DuPont
dupont.com
Tedlar PVF and PVF SP (Special Properties) line of overlaminates.

DuroTech Adhesive Products
durotechcorp.com
DuroTech pressure-sensitive overlaminate films in matte, gloss, luster, scratch-resistant, and anti-glare finishes. Duromark is a 1-mil, polypropylene film for dry-erase applications.

Eastsign
eastsign.com
Roll thermal and cold laminates in various lengths, widths, and thicknesses, and in gloss or matte finishes.

Epic Products
epiclam.com
Various thermal and pressure-sensitive laminates, hot backing films and tissues, and low-melt films in gloss, matte, luster finishes.

FDC Graphic Films
fdcfilms.com
FDC Series premium- and intermediate-grade pressure-sensitive laminating films for various applications in gloss, matte, and luster finishes.

Fellers
fellers.com
Lamex cold- and hot-laminating films in gloss, luster, matte, clear, and textured finishes, as well as overlams with rigid backing.

Flexcon
flexcon.com
BusArt, FlexMark, ClassicsPlus, FlexVu, and JetBond overlaminates. New is FlexMark floor art OV6604, a 25-mil, clear overlaminate for floor graphics, including carpet.

Gandinnovations
gandinnovations.com
Jeti Liquid Laminate clear gloss coating. Acquired by Agfa in 2009.

GBC
gbcconnect.com
Laminates include thermal films Octiva, Nap-Lam, and AccuShield in gloss, matte, luster, and textured finishes; Arctic pressure-sensitive laminates and adhesives in gloss, matte, luster, satin, and textured finishes; and HeatSeal laminating pouches. New is Nap-Lam II, a clear polyester film coated with a low-temperature copolymer adhesive in various finishes.

General Formulations
generalformulations.com
Concept pressure-sensitive, adhesive-coated C1, C2 (clear), and M1 (matte) polyester films; VF (clear, luster, matte), SR5 (clear) vinyl and CAN (clear) embossed vinyl films; PC polycarbonate films (velvet, gloss); and PP2 polypropylene film (clear).

Gerber Scientific Products
gspinc.com
PVC laminates include GerberGuard (3 mil, gloss), StrikeGuard (8 mil, gloss), UVGuard (1 mil, clear), and Luster (2 mil, gloss); also, EZ Guard liquid laminate.

Graphic Laminating
graphiclaminating.com
Durafilm pressure-sensitive, thermal, and low-melt films in matte, luster, gloss, satin finishes; also, laminating pouches.

Graphic Materials International
gmintl.com
LM polyester, vinyl, and polypropylene adhesive laminate films in clear, gloss, matte, luster finishes. New is LM1MC, a 1.5-mil, matte-clear cast vinyl.

Graphics One
graphicsone.com
GO PermaFilm pressure-sensitive, cold laminate in gloss, matte; GO PermaShild liquid laminate.

Gregory Inc.
gregory1.com
TrendFilm 2-mil, permanent adhesive in clear, gloss.

Hahnemühle
hahnemuhle.com
Lumijet Protective Spray is odorless, transparent, fast-drying, and non-yellowing.

Hexis USA
hexisusa.com
PVC and polyester laminates for various applications in gloss, matte, satin, embossed. New is PC30M2 1.2-mil, matte cast laminate for vehicle wraps.

Ink2Image
ink2image.com
Lyson Print Guard spray or brush-on lacquer laminates in satin or gloss, slow or fast dry.

Integument Technologies
integument.com
Peel-and-stick FluoroGrip single-sided and double-sided films for protection against graffiti and the elements.

INX Digital International
inxdigital.com
Triangle Products-brand liquid laminates include ClearFlex (gloss and matte), Fleet ClearFlex (gloss, semi-gloss), ClearFlex ME (gloss), Ultra (gloss, semi-gloss), and CristalBond gloss for UV-curable prints.

Kapco Graphic Products
kapco.com
Offers pressure-sensitive (vinyl, polyester, and polycarbonate) and thermal (low-melt and heat-assist) laminates in a variety of finishes.

Lamination King
laminationking.com
LK Series standard, low-melt, and pressure-sensitive cold-mount laminating films in various thicknesses and finishes.

Lamotex
lamotex.com
General Purpose, CoPolymer, and Heat Seal thermal laminate films; Pouch films; and UniLam pressure-sensitive laminates.

Leinix Enterprises
leinix.com
LEeyes PVC laminate in gloss, matte, and semi-matte (UV-filter version available); also, 50 PET and 100 PET rigid laminates.

LexJet
lexjet.com
Low-melt laminates include DisplayGuard, CrystalEmboss, ArmorGuard UV Hardcoat, and polyester films; also PreLume, GraphicsGuard UV, ExhibitGuard UV pressure-sensitive laminates. New is 3-mil, PVC/vinyl-free EcoGuard satin. All available in various finishes, textures.

LG Hausys America
lgvizuon.com
3.5-mil Vizuon Cast LP80990 high-gloss clear PVC film.

Lumina Coatings International
luminacoatingsintl.com
Line of liquid laminates include AquaJetcoat II, AquaCryl, AquaFlex, and AquaResist 1K Anti-Graffiti.

MacTac
mactac.com
Permacolor pressure-sensitive, optically clear overlaminates (in three finishes); Permacolor rigid and intermediate overlaminates; and Permacolor thermal overlaminates (Thermacolor). Recent additions to the Permacolor lines include ColorGard for image enhancement and adhesion, and PrintCover for short-term graphics.

Media One
mediaoneusa.com
Pro Series pressure-sensitive, polycarbonate, dry-erase, and display laminating films.

Milano Digital
milanoinc.com
PS Series PVC and polycarbonate UV, pressure-sensitive laminates; DI Series thermal laminates; also ProTect lamination spray.

Neolt
neolt.it
NeoFilm cold and Neo-Ultralam low-melt laminates.

Neschen Americas
neschenamericas.com
Neschen UltraCoat and AccuLac water-based coatings and AccuCure UV-based liquid laminates. Also, Filmolux pressure-sensitive laminates available in various finishes and textures. Via its Seal brand, the company offers heat-set (Print Guard, Floor Guard), heat-activated (Jet Guard, ThermaShield), and pressure-sensitive (Print Shield, Floor Guard) laminating films, available in various finishes and textures; also Seal heat-activated Pouch Boards and laminating pouches in gloss or matte finish.

Océ North America
oceusa.com
TSLA10 (10 mil) and TSLA65 (6.5 mil) pressure-sensitive laminate films with a clear, matte-textured surface.

Optima International
optima-int.com
Optima Millennium XE/Giclée Elixir, Medallion XE, Maxim XE, Marquee XE, and Aqua Max II liquid laminates.

Oracal
oracal.com
Oraguard 200 Series laminates include PVC, Anti-Graffiti, Skid-Resistant, Premium Cast, Optically Clear Cast, and Ultra Flexible Cast films. Finishes include: gloss, semi-gloss, matte, high-gloss, textured.

Pacific Studio Supplies
pss2001.com
Image Shield Solutions laminate films in a variety of textures, finishes, and thicknesses.

Pitman
pitman.com
ProGuard UV plasticized PVC laminates (gloss, satin, luster, matte); Sentinel Low-Temp laminates (gloss, satin, matte); Low-Temp Display luster, Dry Erase gloss, and Hard Coat luster.

Premier Imaging Products
premierimagingproducts.com
Liquid coatings include lacquer-based Print Shield for paper, water-based Eco Print Shield for canvas (in gloss, satin, matte), and Eco Elegance water-based gel for fine art and photography.

Professional Image
pro-image.com
ImageArmor thermal, thermal econo, low-melt, white-backing, vinyl, and pressure-sensitive laminates.

Protect-all
www.protect-all.com
Protect-all clear laminate films in polyester, polypropylene, and nylon; Taffeta and Deep Silk textured films.

Proveer
proveer.com
SS Alam, SS Calendered, SS Dry-Erase, SS Velvet (light emboss), and SS Safari (heavy emboss) vinyl laminates available in gloss, matte, and luster. Sign Supply USA and East West Plastic joined in early 2009 to form Proveer.

Quality Media
& Laminating Solutions
qmls.com
Instashield and Exhibitshield pressure-sensitive laminating films; Hard Guard and Digi Guard thermal laminating films; and Duraguard heat-set laminating films.

Quest Films
questfilms.com
Instashield pressure-sensitive films, Hardguard thermal laminates, Duraguard heat-set films, and more.

R Tape
rtape.com
Eclypse series PVC, polycarbonate, and polyester overlaminate films available in various finishes and textures. New is Eclypse Patterned overlaminate films in linen, frost, diamond plate, carbon fibre, and glitter.

Remington Laminations
remingtonlaminations.com
RemiGuard low-temp, heat-activated film in luster and satin; RemiGloss, RemiSatin, RemiLustre, RemiWhite, RemiMatte, and RemiTex thermal laminating films; RemiCrystal, RemiChrome, RemiFrost, RemiClear, RemiGlossy, and RemiLustre pressure-sensitive, cold laminates.

Ritrama
ritrama-us.com
Vinyl, polyester, polypropylene, and polycarbonate overlaminates in a variety of finishes (gloss, luster, matte, scuff-resistant, gloss velvet). Also: clear, scuff-resistant Floor Talkers for floor applications, and more.

Roland DGA
rolanddga.com
PGM overlaminates in gloss, luster, and matte (for vehicle graphics), all designed for HeatWave sublimation inks.

Royal Sovereign International
royalsovereign.com
Royalam I and II and Lomel thermal laminates; Royal Clear Mount and White Mount, and PrintPro UV pressure-sensitive laminates; and Royal Foto-Flex Sand heat-activated laminates.

Roysons
dreamscapedirect.com
DreamScape DreamGuard Protex3 liquid topcoat is available in gloss, matte, and satin finishes; compatible with solvent, mild-solvent, and UV-curable prints.

Sign Warehouse
signwarehouse.com
PrismJet 108 anti-graffiti overlaminate films.

3M Commercial Graphics
scotchprint.com
Offers an array of overlaminate films, including 3M overlaminates (interior matte, polyester, transparent velvet polycarbonate), Scotchcal overlaminates (gloss, high gloss, luster, matte, ultra matte, clear), and Scotchgard Graphic and Surface Protection film. Also offers 3M Piezo Ink Jet Protective Clear liquid coating.

Transilwrap
transilwrap.com
Its DigiKote series of low-temp laminates include Display Lustre, Display WO (white opaque), Gloss/Satin, HC (hard coat) Lustre, and Matte; Trans-Kote polyester, polypropylene, and nylon thermal films.

Universal Products
u-p.com
Solut series cast, calendered, and polycarbonate overlaminates for vehicle, floor, and P-O-P/tradeshow graphics.

USI
usi-laminate.com
Cold, roll laminates include ProTac UV pressure-sensitive, Expression, and Print Shield Premium UV lines. Other laminate lines include Opti Clear (available in pouch form), DigiSeal (designed for digital), and Jet Guard.

Valspar Digital
valspardigital.com
AquaGuard liquid laminate line includes 80 Series in gloss or matte; 100 Series in gloss, luster, matte; and 500 Series in gloss or matte.

Varitronics
dev.varitronicsystems.com
ProFinish dual-side, cold-laminate media and one-side laminate/one-side mounting adhesive products for educators and related markets.