The best way to prepare your documents for
regular handling is by processing them with a pouch laminator. If you're
interested in this type of device, here is what you need to consider
before buying one:
The best way to prepare your documents for
regular handling is by processing them with a pouch laminator. If you're
interested in this type of device, here's what you need to consider
before buying one:
The size of your documents - and your workspace.
Obviously, you're going to want to get a laminator that's large enough
to handle the things you want to protect. Pouch laminators run the gamut
when it comes to size with small, medium-sized, and large machines
available. As a rule of thumb, it's usually better to err on the side of
caution and get a machine that's slightly larger than what you think
you'll need. That way, your device will be big enough to handle a
variety of documents. Also, try to figure how much space you have
available in your work area so you can pick a machine that can fit in
it.
If you're going to work with thermally sensitive items.
Almost all of the pouch laminators available are designed for use with
thermal laminating pouches. It's not advisable to process certain
sensitive items on a hot setting including some photographs and anything
that was printed with water-based ink. If you want to work with these
kinds of materials, you need to look for a machine with a cold
lamination setting. This will allow you to process your items without
damaging them.
How much protection your documents require.
It's important to know that laminating pouches vary in thickness. Pouch
thickness is measured in mils (a mil is 0.001 of an inch) and 10 mil
pouches offer the most protection. (They'll also make your materials
fairly rigid.) Determine how much protection your documents require and
choose a machine that can handle that pouch thickness.
What safety features you need.
Using a pouch laminator can be dangerous since the one you choose will
likely have a heating element inside of it. These parts reach very high
temperatures so that the adhesive in a pouch will be properly melted.
It's important to seek a machine that has good safety features to make
the process as risk-free as possible. Some devices have two layers of
insulation to trap heat inside. Some have the ability to shut off
automatically. Choose a device that has the safety features you need.
The device's durability and warranty.
It never hurts to choose a laminator that's well-built and can handle a
lot of use. The best ones have metal components so they can be used
frequently. The downside is that they can be pricey, so you might have
to go with a device that's a bit less durable if you're on a budget. The
machine you choose should also have a good warranty so you don't need
to worry if anything goes wrong with it.
That's what you should consider before you go out and buy a pouch
laminator. Thinking about these things will enable you to select a
pouch laminator with which you will be happy. Good luck!
Jeff McRitchie is the Vice-President 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 pouch laminators his articles are a great place to start.
