FAQs FOR DIYers


Q. Why do small bubbles appear between the paper and the film?

A. These small bubbles may be caused by insufficient heat to fully melt the adhesive layer. Check the machine temperature. If the machine hasn't had time to warm-up, or is set too low, the laminated document will not be clear. Before lamination, double-check the thickness and the temperature required by the pouches. If you are using an inkjet printer, it may be wise to laminate your document, before the ink dries so the heat can drive out the moisture. Another tip is to use a "low-melt" film and keep the laminating speed up. One little known trick of the trade is to run the item print down (provided you are laminating both sides with the same film, top and bottom). There is no reason why your laminated document shouldn't be near crystal clear.

Q. Why does my paper move and wrinkle when being laminated?

A. One edge of the laminator pouch is sealed. Before lamination, insert the document from the opposite end of the pouch - not the sides. Ensure the document cannot be pushed in any further. This should avoid wrinkling or movement. When putting the pouch into the laminator, make sure the sealed end enters first.

Q. Should I be able to smell hot film?

A. No! There is no reason why this should happen apart from the obvious - and that is the temperature is set too high. To achieve good results, it is not necessary that the temperature is set at it's highest.

Q. What is a carrier, and should I use one?

A. Carriers are not required for all machines. Simply, a carrier passes through the laminator with the pouches to help with heat distribution. In no way does this affect the quality of the finished result.
Before laminating, be sure to check the instructions to see if carriers are required or not.

Q. If I buy a laminator, what kind of things can I laminate?

A. The list is endless, but here are a few ideas for starters . . .

* Brochures
* Business Cards
* Calendars
* Caution signs
* Coffee break signs
* Construction permits
* Danger signs
* Equipment procedures
* Equipment tags
* Exhibition displays
* ID badges
* Instruction manuals
* Luggage tags
* Maps
* Maintenance check lists/procedures
* Phone lists
* Place mats
* Plumbing notices
* POS materials
* Posters
* Press clippings
* Pricing guides / lists
* Product inventories
* Promotional materials
* Project covers
* Recipes
* Report covers / presentations
* Safety signs
* Sales & marketing materials
* Sales presentation
* Security badges
* Signs
* Swing tickets
* Temporary signs
* Time tables
* Training certificates
* Warning signs

Q. Are laminators relevant to me?

A. The list below will give you an insight into who are using laminators already.

* Home
* Hobby use
* Home workers
* Offices
* Factories
* Warehouses
* Architects
* Engineers
* Hotels
* Health Clubs
* Theatres
* Resorts
* Theme parks
* Airlines
* Schools
* Museums
* Commercial
* Shops
* Banks
* Garages
* Florists
* Supermarkets
* Hospitals
* Pharmacies
* Nursing homes
* Restaurants and cafes
* Nurseries
* Government Offices
* Courts
* Police, fire and rescue
* Libraries
* Churches

Q. Is there an easy way to center a piece within a pouch prior to laminating?

A. Laminating something smaller than the pouch and need neat, even borders? The smallest safe border is about 3mm or 1/8inch. If you have a transparent plastic ruler you may find that the lines marking the mms or inch fractions are about that long. If you place the ruler on the lamination so that the inside ends of the lines are on the edge of the PAPER the edge of the rule is now about the right distance away. Use a craft knife to cut, or a sharp pointed tool to score a line and then cut with scissors. If you have a proper trimmer draw a line 3mm, or 1/8inch, in from the cutting edge and align the PAPER edge to that.

Michael Brunstedt michael@stikesco.com 1452 W. 110th Cleveland , OH 44102
Phone  216.227.8521		Phone  216.458.0604

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