How to Use a Laminating Machine

Using a laminator depends on what kind of laminator and the features that come with it. Whether you are using a pouch laminator, a roll laminator or even self seal sheets, you will find lamination to be easy once you get the hang of it. Laminators come in different sizes but whether you use a 12" laminating machine or a roll laminator, the principles are the same. In this article, let us look at how to use a laminator for laminating different types of documents

Using a Pouch Laminator

Pouch laminators are the most common type of laminating machines today. Firstly, you will need to turn on the machine to warm it up. Next, choose the right heat setting. If you are using thick pouches, you will need a higher setting. The indicator light will come on when the laminator has heated up.

Insert your document between the laminating pouch flaps so you have a border on every side. Insert the lamination pouch, closed edge first, into the machine. It has to be inserted closed edge first so no air bubbles will be trapped inside the lamination. Some laminating machines use a carrier which you put the pouch into before inserting it and others do not need this.

The laminated document will come out of the back of the laminator when it is done. If it is uneven, you might need a lower heat setting. If it is not sealed properly, you might need more heat. When you have completed laminating, lay the laminations down to cool off and switch off the machine.

Using a Roll Laminator

To use a roll laminator you first need to plug it in and ascertain the heat shield and feed tray are in place. If they are not, the machine will not heat up and the rollers will not move. A lot of roll type laminators default to the lowest heat so you might need to adjust it if you are using thicker laminate film.

You will also have to choose the correct speed. A lot of laminators have guidelines on the machine so just follow these. When the laminator light comes on, it is ready to go. Some laminating machines take up to ten minutes to heat up. Place the document to be laminated on the feed table and press "run". When the heat line goes, push the item on to the heated rollers.

If you are laminating more than one thing, you can feed them through continuously, but make sure they do not overlap. The laminated items exit via the back of the laminating machine.

There will be a film cutter on the back of the laminator so you can lower the handle while sliding the cutter across the lamination film. The inbuilt blade trims off any excess film. When you have finished laminating everything, switch the laminator off and allow it to cool down.

Laminating without a machine

If you do not have a laminating machine, you can use self laminating pouches, such as 3M Scotch self-sealing laminating pouches. These pouches are ideal to protect photos, documents and keepsakes and they have a protective, clear gloss finish.

Using a self laminator pouch means you put the document between the sheets and seal it yourself without a heat source or laminating machine.

Alan Robinson is the owner of Laminator101.com. Visit his site to find out more about the different types of laminating machines.