How to Laminate

Laminating paper products can extend the life of paper items or make the items more durable for use such as for ID cards. Purchasing a quality laminator for home or office use can be cost effective. Individuals can protect, preserve and enhance documents with a laminator. The process can be quite simple once you get started.

There are two types of lamination—hot and cold. Cold laminators use a pressure-sensitive adhesive that does not need to be heated when applied to the document. The cold laminator machines use rollers that push the sheets of lamination together and are generally safe on all flat items to include photographs that are not heat tolerant.

The product used in the following demonstration is a hot laminator. This is the most common and durable lamination method and is often preferred over cold lamination for the end strength and durability of the product. Hot laminators use a heat-activated adhesive that is heated as it passes through the laminator. Please note, not all products should be used in a hot laminator to include ribbons, non-flat items, or items such as photos that are not heat tolerant. Fire is a possibility and care should always be given when using a hot laminator. Children should be supervised during the process to avoid burns or hair entanglement. As mentioned, not all products can tolerate the heat, so this is a down side to using this type of laminator.

How to Laminate a Paper Product

Before you begin, make sure your work table is stable, clean, and provides adequate room to work. Read all instructions provided for safe operation of your machine, tie back long hair, and make sure articles of clothing are not loose or long such as neckties that could pose a risk to the machine operator. Once this is accomplished and you have all of your supplies, you are ready to laminate.

Safety

What you will need:

• Laminator
• Lamination Paper
• Product to be laminated
• Scissors for trimming away excess
• Stiff board or other tray to help deliver the product to the machine

Starting Out

Step 1: Plug in your laminator.

Step 2: Turn on your machine and ensure the settings are at the correct temperature for your product and the thickness of your lamination paper.

Power Light

Temperature Setting

Step 3: Prepare your product to be laminated. Select the proper size of lamination paper (should cover entire product and leave about 1/16 edge around the product).

Step 4: Open the lamination paper. Note: one side of the product is sealed. Do not disturb this seal. Simply lay open the lamination paper.

Pull Apart

Pull Apart Further

Lay Flat

Step 5: Place product to be laminated in the proper position on the paper. Fill as much space as possible to minimize waste. In this example, paper Bingo game cards are being laminated to improve durability of the product.

Position Product

Use Entire Sheet

Adjust Product

Step 6: Carefully lay the top flap of the lamination paper over the product and realign any object that may have moved during this process.

Cover

Covered

Step 7: Carefully slide the combined product onto the flat cardboard or tray and lift.

Step 8: With the sealed end of the lamination paper entering the machine first, gently guide the product into the machine. The rollers in the machine will pull the product through. Note: Make sure the machine is well heated before beginning the lamination process. The machine being used here has a signal light to indicate it is ready.

Sealed Edge Towards Machine

Support with Board

Insert

Step 9: Remain in place until the entire product has entered the machine.

Note: If more than one item is being laminated in the same paper, then make sure the machine has the product before removing the cardboard or tray. This will prevent shifting of the objects prior to lamination.

Continue Support

Entering and Exiting

Step 10: Once the product exits the rear of the machine, lay the item flat to avoid bends or curves to form as the product cools. Note: You can take a clean cloth to wipe down the product during this stage to help flatten prior to the cooling.

Lay Flat to Cool

Step 11: Once cooled (1-2 minutes) your product is ready for use or you can trim away excess using scissors or a paper cutter.

Trim Excess

Your final product is a well protected piece. This process can be used for multiple items such as children’s artwork, game pieces, ID cards, recipe cards, non-heat sensitive photos, and many more items.

Before and After