Laminate displays are the perfect solution to almost any use case. They’re durable, lightweight, and easy to maintain. With a wide variety of laminate colors, textures, and types, laminate display pedestals offer a range of variety and customizable details which makes them perfect for art galleries, retail displays, and more.
Choosing the right laminate for your pedestal is just as important as picking out the art for your room or curating the artifacts for your museum or setting up for retail window display.
Ultimately, choosing the right laminate for your display comes down to your use case and aesthetic preferences.
But what exactly is laminate?
What is laminate?
Laminate is actually a pretty broad term that encompasses an array of different surface materials.
What is melamine or TFL?
Melamine, or Thermally-Fused Laminate (TFL), is a commonly used durable material made by fusing resin-saturated paper directly onto a wood-base core using heat and pressure. Using heat and pressure, the resin from the decorative layer melts and joins with the surface of the substrate to create a permanent bond.
The decorative layer can be printed into almost any color or texture, meaning it can mimic wood, stone or solid colors or metallic or anything without adding extra weight.
What is HPL or Formica?
High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) is a thick, rigid sheet of material made by using extreme pressure to bond multiple layers of kraft paper and a decorative top layer. It is then glued on to a substrate like MDF or particle board.
While very similar to TFL, the main difference is that HPL is pressed separately into a sheet before being glued to a core. The “top” or “decorative layer” of TFL is fused right to the core in the same step.
Formica is a well-known brand for HPL. Like the Kleenex of High-Pressure Laminate!
Wannna geek out? Check out this how it’s made video from Wilson Art →
Are laminate displays durable?
Laminate display pedestals are quite durable! The multi-layer fusion process adds a protective quality to the material, making it scratch resistant. The melted resin surface does well in high-traffic areas, as it resists normal surface ear better than paint or soft natural wood.
Because it is non-porous, the surface is easy to clean and care for. You don’t need to worry about spray soaking into wood grain or peeling of a painted surface.
TFL is also warp resistant compared to solid wood. The decorative melamine paper is permanently fused to a core like Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF). Because these cores are engineered, they don’t have the same natural grain lines of real wood. That means they aren’t as susceptible to expanding or contracting when the humidity changes.
Note: this doesn't mean totally warp proof: it is still made up of natural materials, and bloating may happen. But, compared to wood, it takes a lot more to really distort a TFL laminate!
Why would you choose laminate displays over hardwood or marble?
Laminate is cost-effective, light, easy to maintain, and scratch-resistant.
If you’re trying to decide whether to choose a laminate material or “the real deal”, here are some things to consider.
Cost - Laminate will almost always be more affordable than solid wood or marble because it is made of up-cycled materials. Instead of chopping down a tree for lumber, Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is frequently made from recycled wood waste, including sawdust, wood shavings, sawmill off-cuts, and discarded furniture.
Weight - Rather than ordering a cube pedestal made entirely of hardwood, concrete, or marble, you can get the same classy or solid look from a marble or concrete laminate pedestal with a fraction of the weight. MDF core weighs less than solid wood, making it ideal for moving around to trade shows, updating retail window displays, or gallery redesigns.
Easy to maintain - Laminate can be wiped down with a microfiber cloth and a little multi-surface Pledge spray in a matter of minutes. No need to worry about special wood polishes or paint peels!
Scratch-resistant - The cured resin makes it difficult to scratch, bang up or stain.
If you really want a pure marble pedestal - great! But you could get a marble laminate that looks just as good without the added weight and cost.
Different Laminate Finishes: Sheen and Texture
Laminate finishes vary in two main ways: sheen and texture.
Sheen refers to the luster on a surface. You can think about it as how shiny, glossy, or bright the laminate is. A typical sheen range is gloss (very shiny almost mirror-like reflection), satin (slight reflective or “shiney” quality), to matte (flat; little to no shine).
Matte - flat, with little to no shine
Satin - a slight reflective quality
Gloss - a very shiny, near-mirror reflection
Texture is a fun way to enhance the intrigue of your display. It ranges from completely smooth to deeply textured. Textured options include embossed wood grains, hand-scraped rustic surfaces, or stone and leather patterns that mimic natural materials.
We offer a variety of sheen, texture, and color combinations so our customers can customize their displays to suit their environment.
Need a sample? We’ll send it! Call us or send an email. All we $10 charge (for up to six selections) covers the sample, shipping, and handling.
Metallic laminates as contemporary and bold display material
If your taste runs contemporary or innovative, metallic laminates may be the right fit. Their sleek, modern appearance suits contemporary art spaces well, and in corporate offices, metallic pedestals add a professional, polished look to displays and conference rooms.
Metallic laminates also work well for fashion shows, where the cutting-edge feel of the industry calls for a display that matches. Whether you're showcasing modern sculpture, a new tech product, or the latest collection, metallic laminate offers a striking, stylish option.
How to choose the right laminate for your display pedestal
1. Finish and Sheen
Matte finishes absorb light for a subtle, non-reflective look that keeps the focus on your art rather than the pedestal. They also hide fingerprints and smudges well, which matters in high-touch environments.
Glossy finishes reflect light for a sleek, modern, striking effect. They make a statement, but they might show smudges and need more frequent cleaning.
2. Color and Pattern
Neutral tones (white, gray, or black) offer a classic look that keeps attention on the displayed object. When in doubt, black or white is a safe, reliable choice.
Wood grains or stone textures add warmth and an organic feel. There is a range of color and texture with wood laminate, so it offers a unique natural quality to your pedestal.
Bold colors work best when you want the pedestal itself to make a statement rather than recede into the background.
3. Durability and Quality
Thickness matters more than people expect. We use a sturdy, horizontal-grade laminate so our pedestals can live in high-traffic spaces or get moved frequently for trade shows.
Scratch-resistance material (like laminate!) is worth prioritizing if the items on display change often, since more handling means more opportunity for wear.
Where Laminate Pedestals Work Best
Laminate pedestals are durable, lightweight, and low-maintenance, which makes them a fit across a wide range of settings:
Retail displays, where surfaces need to hold up to daily handling
Trade shows, where pedestals get moved, rearranged, and reconfigured often
Offices and corporate environments, for displaying awards, products, or branded items with a practical, versatile look
Contemporary art spaces, where metallic or bold laminates complement modern work
Museums and galleries, where neutral tones keep the focus on the pieces themselves
Choosing YOUR laminate? That's up to you!
The right laminate comes down to your use case. Think through where the pedestal will live, how often it will be handled or moved, and whether you want it to recede into the background or add to the visual statement. From there, sheen, texture, and color become much easier decisions.
Ready to see it in person? Order a laminate sample for $10, covering up to six selections, shipping and handling included.
FAQ
What's the difference between matte and glossy laminate?
Matte finishes absorb light and hide fingerprints, making them low-maintenance and good for high-touch spaces. Glossy finishes reflect light for a sleek, modern look but show smudges more easily and need more frequent cleaning. Our satin laminate is a nice middle ground with a bit of shine but not an overwhelming mirror effect.
Is laminate durable enough for high-traffic spaces like trade shows?
Yes. Our laminate is built to resist impacts and wear in high-traffic environments and holds up well to the moving and reassembling that trade shows require.
Can laminate pedestals look like real wood, stone, or metal?
Yes. Because laminate is a decorative paper fused to a wood-based core, it can be produced to mimic wood grain, stone, or metallic finishes without the added weight (or added cost) of the real material.
What color laminate should I choose for an art display?
Neutral tones like white, gray, or black are the safest choice when you want the focus to stay on the art. Bold colors or metallics work better when you want the pedestal itself to be part of the visual statement.
Can I order a sample before committing to a laminate?
Yes. Samples are available for a $10 charge covering up to six selections, which includes the sample, shipping, and handling.