Lamin-Art Celebrates 25 Years of Pearlescence

1984 brought us many technological innovations.  Sony introduced the first 3 ½" computer floppy disk.  The first commercial CD players hit the market.  And Apple introduced its first Macintosh computer.  That same year, Lamin-Art Design Director Hans Mutzke utilized advanced technologies in printing to disperse pearl luster pigments, similar to those found in women's cosmetics, into a printable ink system.  Unlike conventional color pigments where color derives from refraction of certain wave lengths of visible light, the irregular shape of pearl luster particles reflects and refracts light from many different angles creating various color effects normally found only in nature-silver white, iridescent, gold and metallic luster effects.  This is what we now call Pearlescence^®.  While the technique has been employed in a wide variety of surfacing materials over the last 25 years, only Lamin-Art can lay claim to the widest range of pearlescent colors and patterns for commercial interiors in the industry.

With its eye-catching qualities, Pearlescence is perfect for a broad range of hospitality interiors including cruise ships, casinos, hotels, restaurants and bars.  In addition, Pearlescence laminates are regularly tapped for commercial and institutional designs such as schools, libraries, retail, exhibits, displays and corporate show rooms.  "Everything is based on light.  You can't design anything without knowing that light is the final arbitrator," says Mutzke.  "The iridescent hues of pearl luster pigments found in the Pearlescence collection create sophisticated surfaces that flow and move as the light changes. Designers can really appreciate the endless possibilities offered by the light reflectivity of these rich pearl luster solids."
 

To celebrate this anniversary of innovation, we're launching the largest expansion of our Pearlescence Solid Colors collection ever!  Introducing 32 new colors, including timeless neutrals such as Chablis, Fawn, Silk Road and Portabella, as well as the fashionable Medieval Purple, contemporary Red Oxide, and the striking Beryl. Combined with such classics as Brilliant Gold, Corundum Blue, and Platinum, Lamin-Art's Pearlescence Solid Colors collection now offers 50 expressive hues pulsing with rhythmic vitality.
 

Designers can also select from 6 unique finish options including traditional Textured and Gloss, metallic Chrysalis^® and Catalyst^®, and 2 never-before-seen finishes, Wisp and Crisscross. Wisp features airy striations of matte and semi-gloss finishes undulating lengthwise along the sheet.  Crisscross has the appearance and texture of a faintly woven pattern with touches of shimmer and matte.  With the ability to now mix and match 50 colors with any of these 6 finishes, designers now have 300 decorative laminate options to distinguish and imbue an interior with a certain aesthetic attitude and sensibility. 

Pearlescence laminates, as with all of our premium high-pressure decorative laminate selections, are GREENGUARD certified low emitting products and can be safely specified for application with GREENGUARD certified adhesives and CARB-compliant panels. 

To view the new Pearlescence collection and finish selection, visit www.pearlescence.com  today, or contact your local Architectural Representative to schedule a presentation.

New Sizes for Door Manufacturers!

Lamin-Art is pleased to announce that we have introduced two new sheet sizes to specifically meet the requirements of custom door manufacturers.  The majority of the items in our Premium Wood Prints collection of realistic-looking wood grain laminates are now available in 3' X 7' and 3' X 8' sheet sizes.  These are custom order items, so a minimum order of 100 sheets of an identical pattern number will be required.  There is also a two week lead time for these sheet sizes, and returns cannot be accepted.  Items that are available in these special door sizes are indicated with a triangle on our Stock List.  For more information and pricing, please contact your local Architectural Representative.

Enabling Green: Tip #8

With the Memorial Day holiday behind us, summertime activities are starting to heat up.  It's a natural time for many of us to be conscious of the environment since we're spending so much time outdoors.  Here are a few things to keep in mind as the weather warms up:

  1. Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions up to 1600 pounds per year. If you live nearby, consider biking or walking to work a couple of days a week. Consolidate errand runs and other excursions so you don't drive as much.

  2. In hot weather, buy gas for your car either early in the morning or at night. Also, do not top off your gas tank. Even a small spill will evaporate into the air resulting in increased pollution.

  3. Mow your lawn in the early morning or evening when it's cooler, especially on high-alert "ozone action days." Doing so will result in better air quality for yourself and your neighbors...and you won't exert yourself as much.

  4. If you are leaving your house for vacation, remember to unplug the computer, DVD player and other electronics you won't be using. These items still use up 10 to 50 watts each even when off or in "standby" mode.