A laminator (plastifieuse) is a machine used for the process of lamination. Lamination is a procedure where a product or item is coated in a substance to make it more rigid or resistant to adverse conditions and damages. In this post, we look at choosing the best laminator and factors to consider.
How to choose the best laminator
Below are some essential factors to consider when choosing the best laminator;
a. Type of laminator
The first thing you should consider when purchasing a laminator is the type. There following are some types of laminators you ought to learn about before going into the process of purchasing;
- Hot or thermal laminators- these are the most common types of laminators in the market. They work through heating the adhesive baking of the laminate. The heat melts the material, which adheres to the document. If you choose this type of laminator, the best thing would be to make sure you get the right thickness. This is important because if using a thin material could ruin your document.
- Cold laminators- these laminators operate using a cold laminating machine or self-adhesive sheets. This is a type of light-duty laminator that is very handy and inexpensive
The first thing you should do before determining the best type of laminator you want to get would be to understand the features, pros, and cons of the various kinds of laminators in the market. Doing this will help you make an informed decision.
b. Capacity
Machine capacity is also an essential element to consider. The capacity differs from one laminator to the next. Some machines only apply laminating rolls, while others use pouches. The two come in varying thicknesses. Naturally, the heavier the laminate, the better protection it offers for the document.
c. Your budget
Before making a purchase, you also ought to consider your budget and the cost of the machine. While the best thing would be to choose the best quality laminator, it would help if you did not strain your budget. The market features a wide range of laminators going at varying prices. This means that there is something for everyone, regardless of your budget.
d. Type of material
The type of material you will be laminating will determine the ideal kind of laminator for the task. For instance, if you want to laminate a temperature-sensitive material, the best choice would be a cold laminator. On the other hand, if you’re going to laminate photographs, then a laminator with at least four rollers would be an ideal choice.
The size of the material you will be laminating is also an essential factor to consider. It would help if you considered the size of material you will also use in the future when choosing the best type of laminator.
Final word
Another factor to consider is the person that will be using the machine. If you are getting the device for a child, you ought to go for one that would require the least supervision to operate. The amount of laminating you will be doing using the machine is also worth considering. For medium volume laminating, a pouch laminator would be an ideal choice. On the other hand, roll laminators are suitable for high-volume applications.
