the appropriate number of colors, usually four. Thus, the color separation can be inspected visually, particularly whether the resolution is right.
In known laminators, the supply apparatus for color films consists of a series of color film supply rolls suspended before the nip. The ends of the color films hang down and are fastened on each supply roll, for example, by an adhesive strip. To make a color separation, a technician grasps the end of the film of the desired color, pulls a length of it off the supply roll and threads the end into the nip, for example, with the assistance of a stream of air. The image-bearing film is then similarly threaded into the roller nip. The nip is closed and lamination can start. As soon asthe image-bearing film has passed through the nip, the nip is re-opened. The used color film is separated from the supply roll, for example, with a knife. The supply roll is rotated in a direction opposite to the unwind direction in order to backwind any remaining excess of color film. The color film adhering to partial areas of the image-bearing film is then pulled away from the image-bearing film. The used color film is waste.
The manipulation of the color films is relatively cumbersome. The repeated back and forth winding of the color films on the supply rolls can result in some color being rubbed off the film, leading to a defective color separation. Finally, handling of the used film is troublesome. The used color film sheets not only