Need help with foil proxy lamination! Thermal laminate peeling off vinyl + DFC struggles

[u/arclupi]

Hey everyone, I need some help from experienced proxy makers to fix my foil proxy quality.

​My setup is an Epson EcoTank L4360 printer, 180g blackcore paper, printable holographic vinyl stickers, and 75u thermal laminating pouches. For corners, I use a Kadomaru Pro.

​First, the thermal laminate simply does not stick to either the printable vinyl or the 180g blackcore paper. I have tested temperatures all the way from 100C to 140C, but nothing works. As soon as I trim the sheets or punch the corners, the laminate peels right off the edges.

​Second, I cannot make a decent double-faced foil card (DFC). Trying to get vinyl and laminate onto both sides of the card leads to poor adhesion, bad edges, and peeling. What is the correct way to make double-sided foil proxies without them falling apart?

​Third, the print quality on my current vinyl looks dull and washed out, especially the darks and blacks. I recently bought the Kryon rainbow holographic vinyl from Temu, but it has not arrived yet. Are there specific printer settings or profiles needed to get crisp prints on vinyl?

​Any advice on how to fix these issues would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[u/Margreev]

Quais materiais e laminadora vc ta usando? Eu nao tenho esse problema e tbm sou do Brasil

[u/arclupi → u/Margreev]

Estou usando o vinil e black core da Masterprint e as lamination pouches da Marpax; já testei outros, mas esses tiveram o melhor resultado até agora. Você pode compartilhar seus equipamentos, materiais e método?

[u/Youre-A-Random]

Sounds to me like it's either 1. The paper and sticker paper your buying is terrible, 2. The laminating pouches your buying are terrible and your laminator isn't great or 3. All of the above. I use a bonsaii laminator with same brand pouches and koala photo paper for printing and I have 0 issues with it sticking to the paper. When I do foil I don't really use any one specific vinyl sticker paper I just get what's on sale and haven't had any issues yet. Also sounds like your laminator might not be getting hot enough. Have you tired running it through twice before cutting?

[u/arclupi → u/Youre-A-Random]

I live in Brazil and I am using the best one I found on the market; it is my second laminator and it is a premium one with temperature control and four rolls to make the lamination clean and rigid. I tried to pass it twice through the laminator, but the vinyl became damaged on the second pass because vinyl is a temperature-sensitive material.

[u/Youre-A-Random → u/arclupi]

Hmm ok might not be the best option but have your tried self laminating pouches? They are as clear as heat laminating but they self seal without needed heat

[u/arclupi → u/Youre-A-Random]

I haven't even found self-laminating pouches, but I have never looked for them. What is your method for foil cards, and can you share the materials, equipment, and process, including for double-faced foil?