Evolis Card Lamination Module (CLM)

Key Benefits

• Extend card life: Help protect personalized cards from scratches, rubbing, dust, UV exposure, and other effects of everyday use.
• Enhance card security: Choose holographic films and other security elements that make unauthorized reproduction and counterfeiting more difficult.
• Laminate one or both sides: Configure card protection to suit the card design, security requirements, and intended use.
• Integrate with compatible printers: Combine printing, encoding, and lamination in a streamlined card-issuance workflow.
• Upgrade an existing system: Add lamination to a compatible Evolis printer rather than replacing the entire printing system.
• Support higher-volume issuance: The laminator can process up to 215 cards per hour single-sided or 110 cards per hour double-sided, depending on configuration.
• Simplify operation: LED status indicators, automatic film recognition, and Evolis Premium Suite software help users manage the lamination process.

Protect Cards Against Everyday Wear

ID cards used every day are exposed to friction, handling, environmental conditions, and repeated use in card readers and access-control systems. Standard printed cards may show wear over time, particularly when they are carried continuously or used in demanding environments.

The CLM applies a protective film over the personalized card to help preserve printed information and improve durability. This can be especially valuable when cards must remain readable, professional-looking, and functional over an extended service life.

Applications may include employee ID badges, student identification, healthcare credentials, membership cards, government-issued identification, and other plastic cards that see frequent use.

Choose the Right Lamination Film

Evolis offers different film types to balance durability, appearance, and security. Selecting the right option depends on how the card will be used, how long it should remain in service, and whether additional anti-counterfeiting features are required.

Clear Varnish

Clear varnish provides a thin protective coating across the card surface, edge to edge. It is a practical option for applications that need additional protection without the thicker film associated with a laminate patch.

• Covers the full card surface.
• Helps protect against routine wear and abrasion.
• Estimated durability is approximately 2–3 years, depending on use and conditions.
• Available in clear and holographic versions.

Clear Laminate Patches

Laminate patches are thicker than varnish and provide enhanced durability for cards that must withstand extended use. Full patches cover approximately 92% of the card surface.

• Available in different thicknesses, including 0.5 mil and 1 mil.
• Can provide card durability of up to 10 years, depending on film thickness and use.
• Available in clear and holographic versions.
• Specialized pre-cut patches can accommodate contact smart-card chips.
• Alternating patch formats can support different protection requirements on the front and back of a card.

Actual card life depends on the selected film, card construction, environment, and handling conditions.

Holographic Security Films

Holographic varnishes and patches add a visible security element that can help staff distinguish authentic cards from unauthorized copies. The reflective effect makes the security feature easier to recognize during visual inspection and can make reproduction more difficult.

For applications requiring a more distinctive security design, custom holograms may be available through a project-specific configuration. These options can help organizations incorporate recognizable security elements into employee badges, institutional IDs, and other credentials.

Lamination is one component of a broader security strategy. It should be selected alongside appropriate card design, encoding, issuance procedures, and access-control policies.

Standalone Operation or Integrated Card Issuance

The Evolis CLM can be used in different configurations, depending on the printer already in place and the desired workflow.

Integrated with an Evolis Primacy 2 Printer

When paired with a compatible Primacy 2, the CLM becomes part of an integrated card-personalization process. The printer handles graphic personalization and supported encoding, while the laminator applies the selected protective film. The modules communicate through an infrared connection kit.

Because printing and lamination can operate in parallel, the combined system can help maintain throughput during larger issuance runs.

A second CLM can also be configured with the Primacy 2 for applications that require different films on the two sides of a card, subject to the supported configuration.

Integrated with an Evolis Agilia Printer

The CLM is also available in a compatible configuration for the Evolis Agilia retransfer printer. This provides an option for organizations that want to add film-based protection to their card-personalization workflow.

The correct CLM model must be selected for the associated printer.

Standalone Lamination

The CLM can also laminate cards that have already been printed using compatible thermal-transfer, dye-sublimation, or retransfer card-printing technology. In standalone mode, cards are inserted individually, allowing organizations to add lamination to an existing card-issuance process.

Standalone use requires a USB connection to the computer; the required USB cable is ordered separately.

Applications Across Multiple Industries

The Evolis CLM is particularly useful when cards must remain durable, readable, and secure throughout frequent use.

Corporate and Enterprise ID Badges

Protect employee badges used for facility access, identification, and visitor-management workflows. Lamination can help preserve photographs, employee details, barcodes, and other printed information over the card’s service life.

For organizations issuing badges across multiple locations, a standardized printer-and-laminator configuration can support consistent card quality and protection.

Education and Campus Identification

Schools, colleges, and universities issue student and staff IDs that may be used daily for identification, building access, library services, meal programs, and other campus functions. A suitable laminate can help extend the life of credentials that students and employees carry throughout the academic year and beyond.

Healthcare

Healthcare organizations use identification cards for staff, contractors, and other authorized personnel. Protective films can help preserve printed information on credentials that are handled frequently and used across departments or facilities.

For healthcare environments, card material and laminate selection should account for the organization’s cleaning practices and intended use.

Manufacturing, Warehousing, and Industrial Facilities

Employees in industrial environments may carry badges through demanding work conditions where routine handling and abrasion can affect card appearance. Lamination can help protect credentials used for identification, access control, and workforce-management applications.

Government and High-Security Applications

Where visual inspection and credential durability are important, holographic films and other available security options can add a recognizable feature to a credential. The appropriate combination of printing, encoding, card material, and laminate depends on the issuing organization’s security requirements.

Hospitality, Membership, and Loyalty Programs

Membership cards, guest credentials, and loyalty cards can benefit from a more durable finish when they are carried frequently or expected to remain in circulation for an extended period.

Technical Specifications

Product: Evolis CLM Card Lamination Module

Lamination capabilities

• Single-sided or double-sided lamination.
• Integrated card flattener.
• Maximum speed of up to 215 cards per hour single-sided or 110 cards per hour double-sided, depending on configuration.

Compatible card format

• ISO CR-80 card format: 85.60 × 53.98 mm.
• Nominal card thickness for the laminator: 30 mil (0.76 mm).
• Supported card materials include PVC, composite PVC, PET, and polycarbonate, subject to card and film compatibility.

Card handling

• 100-card output hopper.
• Compatible with a 100-card feeder from supported Primacy/Primacy 2 configurations.
• Optional 200-card input feeder available with compatible printer configurations.
• Standalone operation uses manual card-to-card insertion.

Connectivity and operation

• Infrared communication when integrated with compatible Evolis printers.
• USB connection for standalone operation; USB cable sold separately.
• Standard LED status panel.
• Optional LCD display for compatible Primacy and Primacy 2 configurations.
• Evolis Premium Suite software for configuration, status notifications, and maintenance guidance.

Available laminate types

• Clear varnish.
• Clear laminate patches.
• Holographic varnish and patches.
• Specialized pre-cut or alternating patch formats.
• Custom holographic options for qualifying projects.

Warranty: 3 years, with an optional 1-year extension available.

Specifications and supported configurations vary by module model and associated printer. Confirm compatibility before ordering.

CLM Models and Configuration Options

The correct CLM model depends on whether the module will operate independently or be connected to a specific Evolis printer.

• S10212 – CLM with LED panel: Compatible with Primacy, Primacy 2, or standalone operation. A separate USB cable is required for standalone use.
• S10252 – CLM with LCD display: Compatible with Primacy and Primacy 2 configurations.
• S10474 – CLM with LED panel for Agilia: Designed for the Evolis Agilia retransfer card printer.

Availability and compatibility should be confirmed for your specific printer model and intended configuration.

Plan Your Card Lamination Solution with ADVANTIDGE

Choosing the right laminator involves more than selecting a device. Card material, printer model, expected card volume, security requirements, and the type of film all affect the best configuration.

ADVANTIDGE can help you evaluate whether the Evolis CLM is appropriate for your current card printer or a new card-issuance system. We can also help identify suitable laminate options for standard durability, holographic security, and specialized card designs.

Contact ADVANTIDGE to discuss your application, confirm printer compatibility, and request a quote for the Evolis CLM Card Lamination Module and compatible laminating films.