Jeff McRitchie

How to Make Your Documents Last Longer Without Using a Laminator

Have you ever wanted to make your documents last longer? If so, you probably know that laminating them is an option. But what happens if you don't have access to a laminator?  There are still ways you can make your work last longer. Here are a few of them:

Have you ever wanted to make your documents last longer? If so, you probably know that laminating them is an option. But what happens if you don't have access to a laminator? Don't worry. There are still ways you can make your work last longer. Here are a few of them:

• Take advantage of self-sealing laminating pouches. If you love the look of laminated documents, using self-sealing laminating pouches is a terrific choice. These pouches will make your document look like it was processed by a laminator and it saves you the expense and hassle of getting and using one of those machines. Self-sealing laminating pouches are very easy to use. Typically, all you need to do is place your document in the pouch and align it. Then you peel away the liner to expose the adhesive and seal up the pouch. If there's any excess film, you can trim it with scissors, a rotary trimmer, or a guillotine paper cutter. Self-sealing laminating pouches come in a wide range of sizes, so you can laminate items like business cards, snapshots, and posters. Also, these pouches are affordable so you'll have no trouble sticking to your budget.

• Give synthetic paper a try. If you want to skip laminating all together, using synthetic paper is your best option. Synthetic paper is made out of polyester, so it's pretty much like plastic. However, it looks just like regular paper and it can be used in laser printers and photocopiers. (It won't work in ink-jet printers, unfortunately.) To use synthetic paper, handle it by its sides (to avoid fingerprints), and fan it gently before placing it in your machine. Just print your documents as you normally would and put any unused sheets back in the original packaging. You can then trim the paper if necessary, use it with your binding machine, etc. You don't need to laminate this unique paper because it is tear-resistant and waterproof.

• Consider binding them. Once your documents have been printed (and/or laminated), you might want to consider binding them. There are several ways you can bind your documents. For one thing, you could simply use report covers, which is easy and inexpensive. Three-ring binders are another option. If the binders have clear overlays, you can make your documents stand out by creating a customized title page. You could also use a comb, coil, wire, thermal, or VeloBind binding machine. Each device operates differently, so if you choose to use one, consult the owner's manual for specific instructions.

Laminating your documents with a pouch or roll laminator is a great way to make them last longer, but it isn't necessary. There are other ways to protect your documents as listed in this article. Self-sealing pouches are a terrific option. Synthetic paper is great if you don't want to laminate at all. And binding your work is another option. Of these three possibilities, choose one that will fit your needs and budget. You'll find that it's easy to make your documents last longer without using a laminator.

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