Beginner Guide To Laminators

In order to do lamination on pouch laminator, a laminating pouch is required. A laminating pouch consists of two pre-cut pieces of plastic with an adhesive layer on one side. To form a standard pouch, the two pieces are joined together with the adhesive inside and a 1/8″ clear seam on one side; the pouch forms a sort of “booklet” that can be opened up to insert the product you want to laminate. A standard pouch must always surround the insert with a narrow border of clear laminate (edge seal), so it will not come apart.

Pouches are available in many standard sizes, from credit card size to menu size, and larger. Custom pouches are also available.

What Size Laminating Pouch do I Need?

Choose a laminating pouch that is at least 3/16″ larger than your insert on all four sides. You might be able to get away with a 1/8″ border, but it could be difficult to align your product into the pouches with no more room than that. Large pouches are made standard to fit an 8-1/2″ x 11″ page or a legal sheet with 1/4″ borders.

If you are laminating badges and plan to put a slot punch into the badge, you should size your insert card so the punch will not cut into the paper insert. This will prolong the life of the laminated badge, as any exposed paper can absorb moisture and cause the badge to eventually delaminate.

If you are printing a product to be laminated, it is usually best to choose a standard laminating pouch size first and then size your printed piece to fit the laminate. Although we can make custom size pouches for you, the standard sizes are more economical.

What Gauge (Thickness) Laminating Pouch do I Need?

Laminate thickness is measured in mils (1/1000th of an inch). Large pouches come in 3, 5, 7, and 10 mil thicknesses. The small pouches are only available in 5, 7, and 10 mil thicknesses. It is customary to express the gauge of a pouch as the thickness of one of its sides; for example, a 10 mil pouch actually has a total thickness of 20 mils.

Gauge also tells you about the physical characteristics of your laminating pouch. For example, a 10 mil pouch can be 7/3, 6/4, or 4/6 construction. A 7/3 pouch has 7 mils of base plastic and 3 mils of adhesive, for a total of 10 mils per side. The 7/3 construction costs more than the others. A 4/6 pouch has a lot of adhesive, which may ooze out during the laminating process. Although all three of these constructions produce a 10 mil pouch, the 7/3 construction has more rigidity than the 4/6, and feels like a thicker pouch after it is sealed by lamination.

Here is a simple guideline for choosing the right gauge for large pouches:

• If you laminate a sheet of copy paper in a 3 mil 9″ x 12″ pouch, then hold it up by a corner, it will flop down over your hand.
• If you laminate a sheet of copy paper in a 5 mil pouch, then hold it up by a corner, it will bend down in a curve.
• If you laminate a sheet of copy paper in a 7 mil pouch, then hold it up by a corner, it will barely bend over.
• If you laminate a sheet of copy paper in a 10 mil pouch, then hold it up by a corner, it will stand up rigid.

What Temperature Is Needed To Laminate For Different Thickness of Laminating Pouch ?

The ideal laminating temperature varies with the laminate thickness:

• For 5 mil pouch,

  Minimum temperature is 225 (F)

  Maximum temperature is 240 (F)

• For 7 mil pouch,

  Minimum temperature is 240 (F)

  Maximum temperature is 250 (F)

• For 10 mil pouch,

  Minimum temperature is 250 (F)

  Maximum temperature is 260 (F)