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Hot vs. Cold Lamination
The kind of laminator you use depends mainly on what kind of document you are laminating. Below is a brief overview of Hot and Cold Laminators
Hot Laminators:
These are the most common types of laminators. They use heat (220 to 300 degrees F) to apply the lamination. Hot laminators provide a better quality lamination that is more resistant to wear and tear. This is the preferred method of lamination for materials that are not effected by heat.
Use hot lamination:
The material to be laminated is placed into a clear pouch. The inner surface of the pouch is coated with an adhesive that is activated by heat causing the inside of the pouch to adhere to itself and the material being laminated.
This method of lamination is used to apply to documents that do not have inks or materials in them that will run or melt when exposed to high temperatures. Hot laminators provide a better quality, more durable lamination that is more resistant to wear and tear.
Hot laminators should only be used when the person operating the machine has been properly trained.
Cold Laminators:
Cold laminators use pressure sensitive adhesives to bind the lamination film when the material being laminated is sensitive to heat. Certain inks in standard ink jet printers are known to have the ink melt in the machine. There are other types of printers that use heat sensitive paper. For these types of applications the cold laminator is the best choice.
Pressure is used to activate the adhesive on the inside of the pouch. This works most effectively when laminating heat-sensitive documents. For example, your paper documents such as faxes, photos, and other materials printed with an ink jet printer. Cold laminating pouches use a "sticky" adhesive that is activated by pressure. This allows you to finish the job without a heat-based paper. Cold laminators are generally easier and safer to use than hot laminators because they do not have to be heated up. Cold laminators are excellent options for schools, businesses and government agencies.
Note: For both hot and cold lamination, the thicker the film or pouch, the stiffer and more durable the laminated item will be.
If you are unsure about which type of laminator is best suited for your needs, call us toll-free at 1-888-326-9244 or send us an email at info@graphicproducts.com and get your questions answered. We have a huge supply and will find you the right laminator to meet your laminating needs.
