A patch lamination device includes a laminate feed roller (128), a laminating roller (132), and a laminate spreader (150). The laminate feed roller is configured to feed a patch laminate ribbon (114) along a laminate path (115). The laminating roller is configured to laminate individual patch laminates (116) of the ribbon to a surface of a card substrate (106). The laminate spreader is positioned between the laminate feed roller and the laminating roller. The laminate spreader is configured to reduce the formation of trough wrinkles (142) in a patch laminate that is tensioned between the laminate feed roller and the laminating roller during lamination of the patch laminate to a card substrate using the laminating roller.