Laminating machines are a handy way to keep documents protected. Many businesses use laminators to protect store signage. Businesses may also use laminators to protect important or frequently used documents. For example, a coffee shop might use a laminator to protect beverage recipes for their baristas. Laminated documents are long-lasting, and they are easy to clean off.

Choosing a Laminator

Laminating machines come in a variety of sizes and styles, so you can choose one that is the right fit for your business. Pouch laminators are small, affordable and portable models. They work best for documents that are legal size (8.5 inches-by-14 inches) or smaller. They are also best for occasional use.

Heated roll laminators are larger machines that are ideal for frequent laminating. They can laminate larger documents and papers that are odd sizes. They come in a variety of sizes; from small, desktop models to larger, stand-alone machines.

Cold roll laminators are also high-volume laminating machines. Printing and sign-making businesses often use them because they are compatible with more materials. Some inks and print materials can be impacted by the heat used in a heated roll laminator, so a cold roll laminating machine is a good alternative.

Using a Pouch Laminating Machine

A pouch laminating machine uses special pouches. You insert the document you want to be laminated into the pouch, turn on the machine and let it preheat. Many machines have a light to show when it is ready for laminating.

Once the laminator is ready, feed the pouch into the machine. Make sure to insert the pouch the correct way. With most laminating machines you feed the closed end of the pouch into the machine first but review the directions for your laminating machine to confirm how to insert a document. After the document has run through the machine, collect the laminated document from the end carefully so as not to bend it and lie it flat while it cools.

Using a Roll Laminating Machine

Heated roll and cold roll laminators work in a similar way. If you’re using a heated roll machine, let the machine preheat to the appropriate temperature. Some heated roll machines have several settings, so consult your manual to find the right temperature for your product.

Once the machine is ready, feed the documents into the laminator. Make sure to follow your machine’s guidelines for document thickness. Trying to laminate a document that is too thick may jam the machine. Collect the documents from the other end and cut them off with the trimmer.