The GBC 8556 thermal laminator (pictured)  has a top speed of 76m per minute and laminates substrates up to 1.12m wide and 1.42m long. It will be available in the summer for about  154,000.

Marketing manager Giel Klinkers said: "This is one of the fastest and largest-format, high-volume machines. It is aimed at existing laminators and high-volume commercial printers."

"Shorter lead times and the need for faster turnaround and strong quality control is making printers look at taking laminating in-house."

GBC is also targeting small digital printers struggling with tight lead times for short runs with its upgraded Delta laminators. The kit, costing about 12,000, runs at speeds of 30m per minute and handles sheets up to 52x72cm.

Klinkers said the firm's new Falcon 3064WF 1.6m-wide bi-directional machine would allow it make a pitch for wide-format print finishers of signs and screen prints.

The 2080WF cold-top-heated laminator, for products up to 2m wide, is targeted at the double-sided posters, signs and print-for-pay markets.

"As advantages of thermal lamination become more known, commercial printers and trade finishers receive increasingly specific requests from customers to use thermal laminating film," added Klinkers.