When it comes down to choosing between a hot and
cold laminator, there are many things to think about. While both of
these types of machines will provide you with durable, preserved
documents, there are differences between the two of them in regards to
available supplies, cost, and so on. So here is what you need to think
about when shopping for a laminator so you can choose the right one.
When it comes down to choosing between a hot
and cold laminator, there are many things to think about. While both of
these types of machines will provide you with durable, preserved
documents, there are differences between the two of them in regards to
available supplies, cost, and so on. So here's what you need to think
about when shopping for a laminator so you can choose the right one.
What supplies are available. One of the
most important considerations when deciding what type of laminator to
get is the availability and selection of supplies. Thermal pouches are
pretty easy to find and there are a lot of different sizes to choose
from. (You'll be able to laminate small items like business cards and
larger ones such as maps and menus.) There aren't as many sizes
available when it comes to cold laminating supplies. This won't be too
much of a problem if you're working with a roll laminator but it could
be an issue with a device that handles pouches.
How much time you want to save.
You're probably a very busy person and are looking for a device that
can provide you with quick results. If that's the case, a cold device
would be a particularly good choice because it wouldn't require any
warm-up time. There are some thermal machines that can take in excess of
ten minutes to heat up which can be really inconvenient when you're
trying to get things done in a short amount of time.
The cost of the device.
Of course, cost is going to be an issue whether you're buying a car, a
computer, or a laminator. Laminators are available at all price points
but you should keep in mind that you do get what you pay for. That said,
thermal machines are usually a bit more expensive than cold ones simply
because they cost more to produce. (The difference in price isn't too
great but it is there.) However, you will find that the supplies need
for cold lamination are more expensive than what you need for thermal
processing. So going with the cold machine could end up costing you a
bit more in the long run.
What you're going to be laminating.
Something you absolutely must think about before getting a laminator is
what you plan on laminating. The size of your materials will play a
part because you'll need a roll laminator to process large items such as
posters. Also, there are some materials that shouldn't be processed by a
hot machine including documents and photos that have been printed with
water-based ink. These items can be damaged when exposed to heat so if
you're going to be working with a lot of them, a cold device might be
best. Or you may want to go with a laminator that can do both hot and
cold lamination. It's up to you.
Choosing between a hot and cold laminator can be challenging but
it won't be too difficult if you consider these items before making your
purchase. Happy laminating!
Jeff McRitchie is the Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com.
He regularly writes articles, reviews, and blog posts on topics related
to bookbinding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment. More
than 2,500 of his articles have been published in thousands of
locations on the Internet. If you're looking for information about laminators his articles are a great place to start.
