So
you're interested in purchasing a new laminating machine! A laminator makes
a fun and functional addition to your home or office. There are many types of
laminating machines and we hope this guide helps to make your decision making
easier regarding the best laminator for you.
What is Lamination?
Lamination is a quick and easy way to protect your prints. Lamination protects
prints by permanently bonding clear plastic film to one or both sides of the
prints, making them tear and waterproof. It preserves your prints from moisture
and environmental damage. In addition, color enhancement and contrast are added
to your print images. Glossy-looking prints have a higher quality look to them.
Lamination prevents prints from becoming creased, sun damaged, wrinkled, stained,
smudged, abraded and/or marked by grease, fingerprints and environmental concerns.
Types of Laminators
There are many types and makes of hot pouch laminators in use, some have flat
heated plates and others have heated rollers. Some require a card
carrier to be used every time that you laminate an item, others may not,
however it never hurts to use one to protect your rollers and/or items. Many
more expensive models may have either adjustable speed or adjustable heat settings.
There are also cold laminators, which laminate using a "sticky" type
of film and no heat. Due to these and many other factors, our trouble shooting
guide and tips are by no means exhaustive and may not be accurate for every
machine. Please consult the manufacturers guidelines or contact your supplier
for specific information concerning your machine.
Hot Laminators
Hot laminators use a lamination pouch that is usually sealed on one side. The
inside of the lamination pouch is coated with a heat-activated film that adheres
to the product being laminated as it runs through the laminator. The pouch containing
the print, laminate and substrate is passed through a set of heated rollers
under pressure, insuring that all adhesive layers bond to one another.
Cold Laminators
Cold pouch laminators do not use heat to laminate pouches. The cold roll/pouch
lamination film is pressure-sensitive, which means the film has a sticky side
that adheres to the product when it is brought into contact. Cold lamination
is good for use with products that can be damaged by heat. One example of this
would be wax-based ink that can be melted by heat. Another is using pressure-sensitive
adhesives with temperature-sensitive media, such as vinyl or other low melt
plastics.
Foiling Function
Some of the models of laminators we carry include a "foiling function."
You can apply color foiling to any copied or laser printed document, including
announcements, menus, business cards, and more, by applying a foiling sheet
to the areas where you want the foil to adhere and running it through your laminator,
following the instructions that came with the machine.
Peel the sheet away from your print, after it has cooled, and the color from
the foil will adhere to any areas that had toner applied to them, leaving you
with a pretty foil metallic print on your document. Please note, this only works
with "toner" based prints, such as those printed from a copier or
laser printer (not ink jet). Foiling makes a perfect compliment to your business
desktop publishing or printing center.
We do not carry foiling sheets, but they may be available at your local office
supply store or scrapbooking stores.
About Cardboard Carrier
Sheets
Some models require a specially coated cardboard carrier sheets when laminating to prevent damage to the
rollers and distribute the heat from the machine evenly to the pouch. Models with silicone rollers may not require a carrier sheet. Always reference the user manual for your machine to determine if one is needed or not.
DO NOT attempt to make
your own carrier sheet. Use the one provided with your machine or in
your pouches (if available), or purchase them separately. We do sell packs of carrier sheets at a very economical price. Click here to purchase or view pricing for these.
Never Attempt to Laminate an Irreplaceable Document
While, for the most part, you should have a trouble free experience with your
laminator, remember this is a piece of machinery and anything can happen, therefore
it is very important to NEVER attempt to laminate an irreplaceable
item in your new machine. Most photographs can be reprinted from negatives or
digital copies, many documents can be reprinted from the originals, etc. However,
if you try to laminate an item you cannot easily replace, you are doing so at
your own risk.
Tips for Problem Free Laminating
- Ensure that you have the right type and weight of pouch for the item to
be laminated. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Ensure that the machine is properly warmed up to the right temperature.
Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Use a card carrier if appropriate. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Ensure that the item to be laminated is right up to sealed edge of pouch,
allowing a 2mm (minimum) border around the rest of the document to avoid jamming.
- Do not use ‘self-made’ chopped up pouches. You can always cut
the item down to size AFTER it has been laminated.
- Ensure that the pouch to be used is the correct size for the job (e.g. an
letter size pouch for an 8.5” x 11” sheet. Where an incorrect
pouch size is used, poor lamination and trapped pouches will result.
- If you are attempting to use a pouch with several items inside it (e.g.
several ID cards being laminating in one pouch), always use a carrier sheet,
whether your machine requires it or not. Be sure to leave adequate space between
each item so that you can cut them down after lamination.
- When cutting laminated items be sure to leave a “seal” around
the edge of the document. If you attempt to cut all the way to the edge of
your document your laminate may come apart.
- When laminating irregular surfaces such as embossed or textured originals,
it may be necessary to send the item through the machine twice to avoid wrinkling.
- Make sure that all pouches are fed in sealed end first.
- Ensure that the rollers / plate are cleaned regularly as this prevents the
build up of sticky residue which can also cause pouches to jam. Heat the machine
to normal laminating temperature and then pass a non glossy piece of card
through the machine as if laminating.
- If a pouch is trapped, do not feed anything into the machine to push it
out, contact the manufacturer. Do not attempt to carry out repairs before
consulting the manufacturer as you may inadvertently cause more damage.
Troubleshooting Help
Problem: Pouch looks blistered or wrinkle or is curled.
Causes: Machine not up to temperature.
Solution: Make sure you have given adequate time for the machine to heat up.
Consult your user's manual for warm up times for your machine.
Problem: Pouch looks lines or wrinkled.
Causes: Film not straight when inserted into machine.
Solution: Ensure pouch is fed squarely into the machine.
Problem: Pouch looks cloudy / adhesion is weak.
Causes: Machine not up to temperature.
Solution: Make sure you have given adequate time for the machine to heat up.
Consult your user's manual for warm up times for your machine. Try using a thinner
pouch to see if it works better. If so, pouch may be too thick for the machine.
Problem: Film wrapped around rollers / jammed in the machine.
Causes: Carrier not used when feeding items into machine or with smaller items.
Solution: If pouch is still visible, gently try to remove the film. If pouch
is not visible contact the manufacturer.
Problem: Pouch not sealing properly.
Causes: Machine not up to temperature.
Solution: Make sure you have given adequate time for the machine to heat up.
We Carry Quality Laminators and Laminating Supplies From
GBC • Brother • Akiles • Techko
• Monroe • TDE • Design Concepts • Royal
Sovereign
Complete Line of Both Commerical or Home Use Machines
Complete Laminating Kits Available
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