HOT LAMINATION:

Hot Lamination refers to the use of heat to fuse the lamination material (film or pouches) to the item being laminated. Hot laminators are the most common types of laminators where temperatures as high as 220 to 300 degrees F is required to apply the laminate. The laminator shown to the right is a Banner American desktop laminator.

Hot laminators provide a better quality lamination that is more durable and more resistant to wear and tear. This is the preferred method of laminating materials that are not effected by heat.

Laminating Material - Pouches:

Laminating pouches are pockets of laminating material into which the item to be laminated is placed. A hot laminator is used to seal the pouch and bind the layers together. Excess material is trimmed off leaving the laminated item. Pouches come in a variety of sizes and thickness.

Size: Pouches come in a variety of sizes. Select the size that is appropriate for the item being laminated.

Thickness: pouches are available in thickness ranging from 3 mil to 10 mil. The thicker the material used, the stiffer and more durable the laminated item will be.

The Banner American EasyLam 12 uses laminating pouches.

Laminating Material - Films:

Laminating films come in a variety widths and thickness. As with pouches, the thicker the film, the stiffer and more durable the laminated item will be.

Some laminating films are identified as being "low melt" films. These films require less heat and are used when laminating materials (such as photographs) that are sensitive to high temperatures.

Films also provide the option of laminating one side or both sides of an item. Single-sided lamination is used, for example, to laminate over a poster that is to be mounted on a backing board.

Laminating films are available in a variety of finishes such as gloss, matte and satin.

Visit our Laminators page to find out which machines use special laminating films.

* Recommendations will vary depending on the application. We carry a wide variety of brands and models of laminating machines so that we can accomodate any of your laminating needs.