Light Basis Weight Papers (LBWP) and Decorative Foils are popular due to their high-quality fidelity, showcasing an array of realistic patterns and textures. These versatile, paper-based laminates are typically used in cabinets, store fixtures, paneling, shelving, closet systems, and furniture, providing flexibility and value-based solutions for designers and manufacturers, and widely accepted by customers.
Distinguished by weight, these laminates can be pre-impregnated with acrylic, polyester, or other resins, strengthening the internal bond up to 50% of the base paper weight. To further increase durability and longevity, they are topcoated with polyurethane, urea, polyester, acrylic, melamine, or a combination thereof once printed. Optional chemical, optical, or gloss matte embossing enhances the realism of woodgrain and natural patterns.
Decorative Foils are used in more demanding applications where durability and scratch resistance are critical. Although the impregnated paper does not require a topcoat to be considered a foil, most foils receive a finished topcoat for increased durability. Topcoated foils are often called “finished foils.”
LBWP and Decorative Foils are available in standard and industrial grades, each tailored to different application needs. Standard-grade papers contain lower resin content, making them an economical choice for general use, while industrial-grade papers, with a higher resin content, offer improved machining, making them ideal for higher production and processing performance demands. LBWP and Decorative Foil applications allow for the possibility of single-sided panels, further enhancing the cost-effectiveness of this surface choice as laminating both sides of the substrate is unnecessary to achieve a balanced panel. As an additional application, depending on weight, they can also be profile wrapped.
LBWP and Foils: Beautifully versatile
Light basis weight papers (LBWP) and Decorative Foils combine vivid colors, print clarity, and reliable performance to enhance furniture, shelving, and storage solutions. Balancing visual appeal, durability, and cost efficiency, these surfaces unlock endless possibilities to residential and commercial spaces.
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Both materials accept various adhesive systems during lamination and are available precoated with hot melt adhesive, enabling direct hot roll lamination. The final appearance and performance of laminated panels depend on the adhesive system and substrate quality.
From home and office décor to retail fixtures, stylish furniture to sleek shelving and innovative storage solutions, these materials transform everyday surfaces into design-forward statements.
Case study: Decorative foils & LBWP help drive RV interiors
Casework, cabinet and closet components, and commercial interiors are just some of the products fabricated by Genesis Products. Decorative surfaces play a key role in their production.
RV interiors are another area where the Indiana-based company shines, and it is here that Decorative Foils and Light Basis Weight Papers (LBWP) provide a finishing touch. The range of available colors and patterns as well as the materials’ ease of maintenance and durability, make them a cost-effective choice, noted Scott Flom, Senior Marketing manager.
With the realistic textures and grain patterns now available, “it’s not your old-looking wood anymore. There are also really nice pastels, all the bright colors. And the RV companies are coming to us to design their entire interior. We’re looking at designing the cabinets, the walls, the ceilings, the doors, the interior passage doors, and the cabinet bases, along with countertops,” Flom added. “It’s all paired together, curated, just like an interior designer would do for a home; we’re providing the interior design services for the RV community.”
He added, “By using better materials in their RVs, [the industry] is elevating the interiors and, in turn, making the customer demand increase.”
Wrapped mouldings are another area where Genesis Products utilizes these materials. Along with its other offerings,including 2DL and 3DL, TFL, and HPL, “we can help the design community with providing perfect matches to all their components.”
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