Rehber ·
Film Laminating Machine Guide: GMB Water-Based and Thermal Laminators
What is a film laminating machine, how do water-based and thermal lamination differ, and how many metres per minute does it run? We compare GMB (Guangming) GL, GLS, GGL, roll-to-roll GLG and SW thermal series.
- Reading time
- 5 min
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
A film laminating machine covers the surface of a printed paper or board sheet with a thin plastic film to protect the print, give it a gloss or matt finish and make the packaging more durable. GMB's fully automatic models run at up to 100 metres per minute and process sheets from 90 to 600 g/m². In this guide we compare the water-based and thermal laminators of GMB (Guangming), for which we have been the official distributor in Türkiye and the Turkic Republics since 2024, using data from the manufacturer's 2026 catalogue.
How does a film laminating machine work?
On a fully automatic laminator, each sheet passes through these steps from feeder to stack:
- Feeding: An electric shaftless feed head picks up the sheets one by one; an electric left pile guide aligns the stack.
- Dust removal: A thermal electrical powder removal system cleans the printed surface and strengthens the bond between paper and film.
- Adhesive and drying: In water-based work, adhesive is applied to the film and dried quickly by the hot-air drying system; in thermal work, pre-coated film bonds with heat.
- Lamination: A large-diameter laminating roller, heated by an electromagnetic heater with ±1 °C accuracy, presses the film onto the sheet.
- Sheeting (separation): A pneumatic sheeter and rotary knife separate the continuous film web sheet by sheet.
- Stacking and counting: Sheets are stacked non-stop and counted automatically.
The difference between water-based and thermal lamination
| Feature | Water-based lamination | Thermal lamination |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive | Water-based adhesive is applied to the film on the machine | The film carries a ready adhesive layer |
| Bonding method | Adhesive is dried with hot air and the film is pressed by the roller | A heated laminating roller melts the adhesive and presses the film |
| Units required on the machine | Gluing unit and drying system | Heated laminating roller |
| GMB series | GL, GLS, GGL, GLG (water-based and thermal) | GL, GLS, GGL, GLG plus thermal-only SW, G and SADF series |
The GMB GL, GLS, GGL and GLG series suit both water-based and thermal film lamination; the Teflon-coated gluing unit is easy to clean after work.
Which GMB laminator for which job?
| Series | Max. sheet | Speed | Sheet weight | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL | 1080 × 900 – 1650 × 1850 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | Water-based and thermal, 9 sizes |
| GL-1080+Y4D+L / GL-1080+T / GLT-1080 | 1080 × 900 / 1080 × 1300 / 1080 × 900 mm | 0–100 m/min (separation 0–80) | 100–500 g/m² | With embossing (texture) unit |
| GLS | 1080 × 900 / 1080 × 1300 / 1080 × 1450 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | High-speed stacker, anti-curl device |
| GGL | 1080 × 900 / 1300 × 1650 / 1450 × 1650 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | Water-based and thermal, 65–70 kW |
| GLG | 1080 / 1300 / 1450 mm roll | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | Roll-to-roll, edge deviation correction |
| G-1080 | 1080 × 900 mm | 0–100 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | High-platform, high-speed thermal |
| SW | 1080 × 900 – 1300 × 1450 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | Fully automatic thermal |
| SW-820 / SWAFM-1050 | 820 × 1050 / 1050 × 820 mm | 0–80 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | Mid-size thermal |
| SW-820B / SW-1050B | 820 × 1050 / 1050 × 820 mm | 0–40 / 0–60 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | Double-sided thermal |
| SW-560 / 660 / 760 / 760L | 560–760 × 820 mm | 0–60 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | Small-size thermal |
| SADF-540 / 540B | 540 × 780 mm | 0–30 m/min | 105–500 g/m² | Single and double-sided, compact |
Source: GMB (Guangming) 2026 catalogue. Speed is lamination speed.
GL series: fully automatic water-based and thermal lamination
GL is GMB's core series: it comes in nine sizes from 1080 × 900 mm to 1650 × 1850 mm and runs at up to 100 metres per minute with sheets of 100–500 g/m². On the 1650-format models, the separation speed that splits the sheets is 80 metres per minute.
| Model | Max. sheet | Min. sheet | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL-1080×900 | 1080 × 900 mm | 300 × 260 mm | 60 kW | 8,000 kg |
| GL-1080×1300 | 1080 × 1300 mm | 300 × 300 mm | 60 kW | 8,500 kg |
| GL-1080×1450 | 1080 × 1450 mm | 390 × 440 mm | 60 kW | 9,500 kg |
| GL-1300×1450 | 1300 × 1450 mm | 390 × 440 mm | 60 kW | 12,500 kg |
| GL-1300×1650 | 1300 × 1650 mm | 390 × 440 mm | 60 kW | 13,300 kg |
| GL-1450×1450 | 1450 × 1450 mm | 390 × 440 mm | 70 kW | 13,500 kg |
| GL-1450×1650 | 1450 × 1650 mm | 390 × 440 mm | 40 kW | 14,500 kg |
| GL-1650×1650 | 1650 × 1650 mm | 450 × 450 mm | 76 kW | 14,500 kg |
| GL-1650×1850 | 1650 × 1850 mm | 450 × 450 mm | 76 kW | 14,500 kg |
All models: lamination speed 0–100 m/min, sheet weight 100–500 g/m². Pre-stacker (feeder) height 1700–3620 mm.
GL series equipment: a separate door design for safer use and easier maintenance; an electric shaftless feed head and electric left pile guide; thermal powder removal; large-diameter laminating and drying rollers; an electromagnetic heater with ±1 °C accuracy; hot-air drying; a pneumatic sheeter and rotary knife for up to 100 metres per minute; automatic feeding, sheeting, non-stop stacking and counting; and a Teflon-coated gluing unit. Our catalogue lists the GL-1080+L, GL-1300+L, GL-1450+L and GL-1650+L.
Embossing-unit, stacker and GGL models
The GL-1080+Y4D+L, GL-1080+T and GLT-1080 are versions equipped with an embossing (texture) unit: they work on 1080 × 900 or 1080 × 1300 mm sheets at 100 metres per minute lamination and 80 metres per minute separation speed; their power ratings are 80, 70 and 75 kW respectively.
The GLS series (1080 × 900, 1080 × 1300, 1080 × 1450 mm) stacks paper sheets quickly and neatly with its high-speed stacker; it includes a device that prevents thin material from curling and runs at 55 kW. The GGL series laminates water-based and thermal film on 1080 × 900, 1300 × 1650 and 1450 × 1650 mm sheets (65, 68 and 70 kW).
Roll-to-roll lamination: the GLG series
The GLG-1080 / 1300 / 1450 laminates paper on the roll instead of in sheets: unwinding, lamination and rewinding are completed in one pass. An automatic edge deviation correction system keeps the paper aligned, and a hot-air drying system with heating and circulation provides fast drying. It works at 1080, 1300 and 1450 mm widths, at up to 100 metres per minute, with 72, 82 and 85 kW of power.
Thermal lamination: SW, G and SADF series
For businesses that use only thermal film, GMB's SW series uses a servo-controlled feed head, electromagnetic heating with ±1 °C accuracy, an electric film-lifting system that makes film changes easier, and a pneumatic sheeter with rotary knife for up to 100 metres per minute. Because feeding, sheeting, non-stop stacking and counting are automatic, the machine can be run by a single operator.
| Model | Max. sheet | Min. sheet | Speed | Sheet weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-1080 | 1080 × 900 mm | 300 × 300 mm | 0–100 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | 40/20 kW |
| SW-1080×900 | 1080 × 900 mm | 260 × 300 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | 60 kW |
| SW-1080×1300 | 1080 × 1300 mm | 300 × 260 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | 60 kW |
| SW-1300×1450 | 1300 × 1450 mm | 390 × 440 mm | 0–100 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | 65 kW |
| SW-820 | 820 × 1050 mm | 300 × 300 mm | 0–80 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | 35 kW |
| SWAFM-1050 | 1050 × 820 mm | 300 × 260 mm | 0–80 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | 35 kW |
| SW-820B (double-sided) | 820 × 1050 mm | 300 × 300 mm | 0–40 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | 38 kW |
| SW-1050B (double-sided) | 1050 × 820 mm | 300 × 260 mm | 0–60 m/min | 100–500 g/m² | 38 kW |
| SW-560 / 660 / 760 | 560 / 660 / 760 × 820 mm | 300 × 210 mm | 0–60 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | 30 kW |
| SW-760L | 760 × 820 mm | 300 × 210 mm | 0–60 m/min | 90–600 g/m² | 32 kW |
| SADF-540 / 540B | 540 × 780 mm | 290 × 210 mm | 0–30 m/min | 105–500 g/m² | 25 / 30 kW |
A 1300 × 1650 version of the SW series is also available. The SADF-540 is single-sided; the SADF-540B is single and double-sided.
For work where both faces need protection, such as business cards, book covers and menus, the SW-820B / SW-1050B and SADF-540B laminate both sides of the sheet in one pass. The G-1080, with its high-platform frame, performs high-speed thermal lamination in the 90–600 g/m² range.
6 criteria for choosing the right film laminating machine
- Sheet size: Your largest sheet must fit the machine's maximum size; choose the 1080 format for 70 × 100 cm and the 1300–1650 formats for large packaging sheets.
- Adhesive type: If you will switch between water-based and thermal film, choose GL, GLS, GGL or GLG; for thermal film only, choose SW, G or SADF.
- Real output: Sheets per minute are roughly speed divided by sheet length. For a 700 mm sheet, 100 m/min gives about 140 sheets per minute; at 75% efficiency that is 140 × 60 × 8 × 0.75 ≈ 50,400 sheets in 8 hours.
- Sheet weight and curl: If curl is a problem on thin paper, choose the GLS with its anti-curl device; for a wide 90–600 g/m² range, the G-1080, SW-820 or SW-560–760.
- Single or double-sided: For work laminated on both faces, the SW-820B, SW-1050B or SADF-540B.
- Feeding, stacking and energy: Non-stop stacking and pre-stacker heights of 1660–3620 mm reduce stoppages; connected load ranges from 25 kW to 85 kW, and the plant's electrical supply should be planned accordingly.
About GMB (Guangming)
GMB (Guangming) is a manufacturer engaged in R&D and production of laminating machines, UV coating machines, embossing equipment and digital printing presses for the printing and packaging industry. The company has been awarded the titles "SRDI", "National High-tech Enterprise" and "High-tech Enterprise R&D Development Centre", and states that it aims for energy-saving, environmentally friendly production.
Özdemir Makine is the official distributor of GMB. Since 2024 we have handled sales of GMB film laminating machines in Türkiye and the Turkic Republics. We provide model selection, technical specifications, quotations, customs clearance, installation and spare parts directly from our offices in Istanbul and Krefeld (Germany).
You can browse the laminating machines in our catalogue and contact us for technical information and a quotation. For the steps after lamination, see our die-cutting machine and folder-gluer machine guides; for spot UV and cold foil over laminated sheets, see our screen printing machine guide.
Technical values are taken from the manufacturer's 2026 catalogue; the manufacturer may change them without notice. You can request the current technical specification from us for exact values.
Frequently asked questions
GMB GL, GLS, GGL, GLG, G-1080 and SW 1080/1300 models laminate at up to 100 metres per minute. The SW-820 and SWAFM-1050 reach 80, the SW-560–760 and SW-1050B 60, the SW-820B 40, and the compact SADF-540 30 metres per minute.
In water-based lamination, adhesive is applied to the film on the machine and dried with hot air. In thermal lamination, the adhesive layer is already on the film; a heated laminating roller melts it and presses the film onto the sheet. GMB GL, GLS, GGL and GLG series suit both methods.
GMB GL, GLS, GGL, GLG and SW 1080/1300 models process sheets of 100–500 g/m². The G-1080, SW-820, SWAFM-1050 and SW-560–760 series handle 90–600 g/m², and the SADF-540 works in the 105–500 g/m² range.
Yes. The GMB SW-820B and SW-1050B are fully automatic double-sided thermal laminators, and the SADF-540B works single and double-sided. These machines laminate both faces of the sheet in one pass.
In roll-to-roll lamination, paper is processed on the roll instead of as sheets; unwinding, lamination and rewinding are done in one pass. The GMB GLG-1080, 1300 and 1450 run at up to 100 metres per minute with automatic edge deviation correction.
The GMB GLS series has a device that prevents thin material from curling and a high-speed stacker that stacks sheets quickly and neatly. The ±1 °C temperature control of the electromagnetic heater also helps the film bond evenly.
Özdemir Makine has been the official distributor of GMB in Türkiye and the Turkic Republics since 2024. It provides model selection, quotations, customs clearance, installation and spare parts support from its offices in Istanbul and Krefeld (Germany).
The price depends on sheet size, water-based or thermal operation, and options such as an embossing unit, stacker, double-sided lamination and roll processing. For a quotation configured to your needs, contact Özdemir Makine, the official distributor of GMB.
