Key Laminator Features Explained
To help you make the most of our selection tool, listed below is a guide to each of the key feature options:Machine Type
When choosing the right laminator for your application the first step is to determine the size of the largest document you will need to laminate. As a general rule of thumb each laminator will laminate all sizes of documents equal to and below the choice you make. E.g. an A4 laminator will also laminate A5, A6, A7 and ID pouch sizes..Pouch Thickness
This is the total thickness, in microns, of the document that the machine can laminate. Please note that you have to take into consideration the thickness of the contents you are binding along with the pouch thickness.
There is no direct relationship between the weight of paper and it’s thickness but the following will give you a rough guide:
80gsm paper is approximately 100 microns thick.
120gsm paper is approximately 150 microns thick.
160gsm card is approximately 200 microns thick.
The most common thickness of pouch used is 75 microns per side. Therefore with one sheet of 80gsm A4 paper you will need a laminator that can laminate 75 +75 + 100 = 250 microns.
Typical Usage
Laminating machines can wear out very quickly if they are over used. Rather than suggest which environment a machine was best suited for, such as at home or in the office, we have categorised them based on durability and flexibility. The higher end machines tend to be more robust, faster, smoother and laminate thicker documents.. Speed
This can be an important consideration in a busy office environment and really depends on the volume of documents you need to laminate in a given period of time. The downside to speed is that the faster you go the rougher the lamination. For smooth lamination at higher speeds you need to look for a machine with at least 4 rollers.Temperature
The thicker the pouch used the higher the temperature required to seal the pouch. The higher end machines tend to have variable temperature control so that thinner pouches can be sealed at lower temperatures. This is particularly important when laminating photographs.Number of Rollers
The more rollers the laminator has the smoother the finish that you can achieve. Typically machines have 2 rollers which are sufficient for most applications. Machines with 4 or more rollers achieve a much smoother laminate finish, especially at higher lamination speeds.Price
Whilst price is an important consideration it should not be the overruling factor in the choice you make. If you try to purchase a laminator to fit a pre-determined budget you may find that your choice does not perform as well as expected and you are back in the market for another sooner rather than later.
