One of the best things about laminators is that there are a variety of supplies you can use with these devices. In fact, there are five different kinds of laminating pouches that come in many sizes and thicknesses, from 1.5 mil all the way to 10 mil. Knowing what supplies are available can help you make the right choice when it comes time to buy them. So here are the five types of packets:
Thermal. Thermal pouches are very popular and are probably the most common type of laminating supplies. These packets contain adhesive that is activated by the machines heat. In addition to standard, everyday packets, there are premium thermal supplies available and theyre perfect for when you want to preserve your document for a long time. These items will prevent your document from becoming discolored or faded, and some of them even offer UV protection. GBCs HeatSeal LongLife products are what you should get if you need premium laminating supplies.
Self-sealing. These type of packets are what you need when you want to do cold lamination. They can also come in handy when you need laminate something but arent near your machine. Self-sealing pouches are great for when youre working with heat-sensitive items (photographs, ink-jet printouts, etc.) that would otherwise be damaged if they were processed on a hot setting. Some of these packets are resealable, so if you make an error when laminating or your final product is marred by bubbles or wrinkles, you can reposition and reseal the packet to get the right look.
Sticky back. Sticky back pouches are a really innovative product. Not only do they protect your document from spills, rips, and other damage, they have a liner on the back that you can remove to reveal an adhesive backing. You can then stick your laminated item on to any flat surface to make professional-looking displays and signs. You could even use them for craft projects, such as scrapbooking.
Matte. One thing you need to consider when buying laminating pouches is the type of finish you want. A lot of packets have a glossy finish which often looks great, but there are times when you need something a little bit less flashy. Thats when matte packets come in handy. These items have a non-shiny surface that can be written on with a Sharpie or ballpoint pen. Depending on your needs, you can use one that has two matte surfaces or one with a glossy side and a matte side.
Colored. Finally, colored packets are available and they offer a quick and easy way to make your documents more noticeable. Each one has a clear front and then a colored back. The colors that are available include black, white, red, and blue.
Now that youve read this article, you know all you need to know about the five different types of laminating pouches. There are packets that can fulfill any need and give your document the look and protection it deserves. And now that you know all about them, shopping for laminating supplies will be easy.
laminating pouches
If you purchase laminating pouches regularly, you may have noticed that one or more carrier sheets are frequently included inside each box. When used properly, carriers can greatly improve overall laminating quality and reduce the need for roller cleaning. Many people who are new to laminating are not familiar with carrier sheets or how to correctly use them. To help take the mystery out of using carrier sheets, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about carriers.
What is a carrier sheet?
A carrier is a heavy cardstock sheet with a silicone coating on one side. Each carrier is folded in half and opens like a book with the silicone side folded inward.
What does a carrier sheet do?
The purpose of a carrier sheet is two-fold - it protects the laminating pouch from scratches during the lamination process and prevents excess adhesive that oozes from the edge of the laminating pouch from sticking to the rollers (which leads to uneven and poor quality laminating). They also prevent pouches from wrapping around the rollers during lamination.
How do I use a carrier?
To use a carrier, simply insert the document that you are laminating into the laminating pouch and place the pouch inside of the carrier.
Do all machines require the use of a carrier?
No. Many machines on the market today have silicone rollers and do not require carrier sheets. Some machines require that carrier sheets be used only when using laminating pouches over a certain thickness. It is recommended that a carrier sheet be used with any pouch laminator that is equipped with non-silicone rollers, however you may want to refer to the owners manual for your machine for specific instructions.
Do I have to change any machine settings to use a carrier sheet?
Because the carriers dissipate heat, you may have to increase the temperature in order to achieve a seal when using a carrier. You may want to perform a test run when using a carrier for the first time to ensure that your settings are correct before laminating anything important.
Why is there so much glue being left inside my carrier after lamination?
If you are noticing a large amount of adhesive left behind inside the carrier after laminating items, then that is most likely a sign that you are laminating at too high of a temperature. You will only notice trace amounts of glue inside the carrier if you are laminating at the proper temperature.
I am laminating using the thickest pouch my machine will allow. Will the carrier still fit?
Yes. Your machine should feed the thickest pouch placed within a carrier without any problem, however you may need to adjust your temperature settings in order to attain a proper seal.
Ive gotten adhesive on my rollers. Is there a way to clean them?
Yes. Many retailers carrier roller cleaning kits that contain special cleaner and abrasive pads that will remove adhesive build-up without hardening or damaging your rollers.
a4 laminating pouches
What is a carrier sheet?
A carrier is a heavy cardstock sheet with a silicone coating on one side. Each carrier is folded in half and opens like a book with the silicone side folded inward.
What does a carrier sheet do?
The purpose of a carrier sheet is two-fold - it protects the laminating pouch from scratches during the lamination process and prevents excess adhesive that oozes from the edge of the laminating pouch from sticking to the rollers (which leads to uneven and poor quality laminating). They also prevent pouches from wrapping around the rollers during lamination.
How do I use a carrier?
To use a carrier, simply insert the document that you are laminating into the laminating pouch and place the pouch inside of the carrier.
Do all machines require the use of a carrier?
No. Many machines on the market today have silicone rollers and do not require carrier sheets. Some machines require that carrier sheets be used only when using laminating pouches over a certain thickness. It is recommended that a carrier sheet be used with any pouch laminator that is equipped with non-silicone rollers, however you may want to refer to the owners manual for your machine for specific instructions.
Do I have to change any machine settings to use a carrier sheet?
Because the carriers dissipate heat, you may have to increase the temperature in order to achieve a seal when using a carrier. You may want to perform a test run when using a carrier for the first time to ensure that your settings are correct before laminating anything important.
Why is there so much glue being left inside my carrier after lamination?
If you are noticing a large amount of adhesive left behind inside the carrier after laminating items, then that is most likely a sign that you are laminating at too high of a temperature. You will only notice trace amounts of glue inside the carrier if you are laminating at the proper temperature.
I am laminating using the thickest pouch my machine will allow. Will the carrier still fit?
Yes. Your machine should feed the thickest pouch placed within a carrier without any problem, however you may need to adjust your temperature settings in order to attain a proper seal.
Ive gotten adhesive on my rollers. Is there a way to clean them?
Yes. Many retailers carrier roller cleaning kits that contain special cleaner and abrasive pads that will remove adhesive build-up without hardening or damaging your rollers.
a4 laminating pouches
Laminating your documents with a pouch laminator is a pretty straightforward process, but sometimes, even the simplest of tasks can fall victim to a problem. There are a handful of common problems that can occur when you laminate, such as a cloudy end result, wrinkled documents, and so on. The good news is these problems are pretty easy to fix. Here are some common problems along with some things you can try to solve them.
Help! The pouch is jammed. This is probably one of the most common problems you can encounter: the dreaded jammed pouch. One way to prevent this from happening is by using a carrier each and every time you laminate. (More on this is a moment.) But if the jam has already occurred, the easiest thing to do is enable the machines reverse mode and see if that will solve the problem. If it doesnt and the document had already started to exit the device, you can try tugging gently on the item to free it. If that doesnt work, you may need to take the machine apart. Be sure to call a professional if thats the case.
Theres glue on the rollers. The best way to deal with this situation is to not let adhesive get on to your machines rollers in the first place. You can achieve that by using a carrier, a sheath-like object that is often included in most boxes of laminating pouches. A carrier will prevent glue from trickling out of the pouch and getting on to the rollers, which can not only cause jams, but do some real damage to your machine. If theres already glue on your laminators rollers, there are specialty wipes you can use to clean up the mess. (Note: do not use anything other than these wipes to clean your machine. Doing so can potentially cause more problems.)
My document is cloudy, wrinkled, or has bubbles. If your final product is marred by wrinkles, bubbles, or cloudiness, you probably used the incorrect temperature setting or selected the wrong speed setting on your machine. Wrinkles and bubbles tend to be caused by too much heat, so lower the temperature to achieve a smoother look. Meanwhile, cloudiness often results when the temperature is too low or the speed is too fast for your document. Run the item through the machine again to see if that solves the problem and experiment with different heat and speed settings to get optimal results.
The pouch isnt sealed all the way around. If youve laminated your item and you find that the pouch didnt fully seal, then the document is too large for the pouch you used. As a rule of thumb, always make sure that every document you laminate has about half a centimeter of laminate around each side. This will ensure the pouch will be seal properly. If youre dealing with an issue not discussed in this article or if your attempts to fix your problem havent worked, be sure to take a look at your instruction manual and/or call a repair technician. Good luck to you and happy laminating!
a4 laminating pouches
Help! The pouch is jammed. This is probably one of the most common problems you can encounter: the dreaded jammed pouch. One way to prevent this from happening is by using a carrier each and every time you laminate. (More on this is a moment.) But if the jam has already occurred, the easiest thing to do is enable the machines reverse mode and see if that will solve the problem. If it doesnt and the document had already started to exit the device, you can try tugging gently on the item to free it. If that doesnt work, you may need to take the machine apart. Be sure to call a professional if thats the case.
Theres glue on the rollers. The best way to deal with this situation is to not let adhesive get on to your machines rollers in the first place. You can achieve that by using a carrier, a sheath-like object that is often included in most boxes of laminating pouches. A carrier will prevent glue from trickling out of the pouch and getting on to the rollers, which can not only cause jams, but do some real damage to your machine. If theres already glue on your laminators rollers, there are specialty wipes you can use to clean up the mess. (Note: do not use anything other than these wipes to clean your machine. Doing so can potentially cause more problems.)
My document is cloudy, wrinkled, or has bubbles. If your final product is marred by wrinkles, bubbles, or cloudiness, you probably used the incorrect temperature setting or selected the wrong speed setting on your machine. Wrinkles and bubbles tend to be caused by too much heat, so lower the temperature to achieve a smoother look. Meanwhile, cloudiness often results when the temperature is too low or the speed is too fast for your document. Run the item through the machine again to see if that solves the problem and experiment with different heat and speed settings to get optimal results.
The pouch isnt sealed all the way around. If youve laminated your item and you find that the pouch didnt fully seal, then the document is too large for the pouch you used. As a rule of thumb, always make sure that every document you laminate has about half a centimeter of laminate around each side. This will ensure the pouch will be seal properly. If youre dealing with an issue not discussed in this article or if your attempts to fix your problem havent worked, be sure to take a look at your instruction manual and/or call a repair technician. Good luck to you and happy laminating!
a4 laminating pouches