Laminating is easy, once you’ve learned the basics. There are two basic laminating methods: pouch and roll laminating. Roll laminators are most often found in schools and business which make signs and other larger projects. Pouch machines are available in sizes from four to eighteen inches. Roll laminators are larger, making them good for projects up to sixty inches in width. The laminating supplies you will need vary according to the machine you own.
Using a Pouch Laminator
The pouch laminator is the most affordable and portable of all styles. This is the reason it is also the most commonly sold of all laminators. Pouch laminators can be found in both hot and cold styles, but hot is more common. The film is available in clear, high gloss or matte finish. Some film is made with UV protection, which is great for protecting projects that will be used outside.
The process for using pouch laminating machines is easy. The pouch looks like a small bag. The document is placed inside the pouch, which is placed in a carrier. Heated rollers melt the adhesive to the film and seal the document inside. The best laminators have four rollers. Less expensive models with two rollers aren’t as efficient. Ibico, Brother and Laminex make great pouch style laminating machines.
Using Roll Laminating Machines
If you plan to make money with lamination, or need to laminate many larger projects, a roll machine will be best for you. These machines are quite a bit more expensive and take more time to learn to use. Be sure to get a user’s manual with larger machines for detailed instructions. The process may vary slightly, depending on the manufacturer. Popular roll machines include Emson, Jackson Hirsh, and Royal Sovereign laminators.
Two rolls of film are used on these machines: one on top of the document and the other on the bottom. Heat or pressure is used to seal the document inside the film. You will need to use scissors to cut the film to the size of your project. If you are comparing two machines, choose the one with more rollers. These are better for eliminating bubbles and giving a tighter seal, particularly with cold lamination projects. The most versatile of the roll machines are capable of both hot and cold lamination. Royal Sovereign makes large machines that are capable of both hot and cold laminating.
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