If you run a home business, there are certain
things you need to be successful. You probably already have some of
these items such as a computer, printer, ergonomic chair, and all the
pens you could ever need.Here's what to think about when you're choosing one for your
home office.
If you run a home business, there are
certain things you need to be successful. You probably already have
some of these items such as a computer, printer, ergonomic chair, and
all the pens you could ever need. But there's one thing you should get
that may not have crossed your mind: a pouch laminator. Pouch
laminators are great because they allow you to treat your important
documents in such a way that they'll be protected from over-handling,
tears, spills, and so on. Here's what to think about when you're
choosing one for your home office.
The size of your documents.
Pouch laminators come in different sizes so you need to consider the
size of the items you're going to be processing. If you're only going
to be working with small items such as business cards, a machine with a
4-inch throat will probably be sufficient. However, larger documents
will require a device with a 9-inch throat or larger. (A typical piece
of paper measures 8.5" x 11".)
The others in your home.
Do you share your home with others? Do you have kids? Or even pets? If
so, you need to choose a laminator that's safe to use. A lot of the
ones that are currently available will shut off after they haven't been
used in a while. This helps reduce the risk of fire and it will help
you conserve energy. Also, there are laminators that are designed in
such a way that they keep heat from escaping. This keeps the device's
exterior cool so people can't burn themselves. (Obviously, this is a
must-have feature if you have kids.)
How much protection you need. Laminating pouches are available in different thicknesses. The thickness of a pouch is measured in mils. (A mil is 0.001th
of an inch.) These supplies range in thickness from 1.5 to 10 mil. The
thicker pouches will definitely give your items more protection as well
as make them rigid. Some laminators are only compatible with certain
pouch thicknesses, so look for a machine that can handle the supplies
you want to use.
What specifications you want.
You'll want to consider the speed of your potential new device. Some
laminators are very fast, which can be very convenient if you're going
to be using it a lot. You might also want to get one with more than two
rollers. The number of rollers is an indicator of how well your
documents will be laminated. So, more rollers mean your documents will
look better. Size might also be a factor if your work area is on the
small side.
How much you want to spend.
As with any other product, the prices of laminators vary somewhat.
There are very inexpensive devices available, but they tend not to be
of the highest quality. While you don't need to go for the most
expensive one you see, it doesn't hurt to put out a bit more money for
a better model. You'll need to look at your budget and see what you can
afford before making your selection.
While
there are a lot of things to think about when choosing a pouch
laminator for your home office, pondering these things will help you
make the right choice. Consider getting you device today so you can
give your documents the protection they need.
About the Author: Jeff McRitchie is the Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com.
He regularly writes articles, review and blog posts on topics related
to book binding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment.
More than 2,500 of his articles have been published in thousands of
location on the Internet. If you're looking for information about laminators, his articles are a great place to start.
