Which laminator should I choose?

Lamination helps preserve and protect documents, photos, menus, maps, artwork from damage such as tearing or wetting the sheet, fingerprints and smudges. It also enhances colors and contrast, giving materials a quality and professional look.
There are many different laminating machines available in the market and it can be confusing and difficult to choose. This blog article will help you explore the different options and choose the best laminator for your needs.

What types of laminators are there?

There are 2 types of laminating machines - batch and roll.

Batch laminators

This type uses a laminating film that opens like a folder. The machine uses heat to melt the adhesive, then the two sides of the foil fuse together to seal the document.

Roll-to-roll laminators 

Roll-to-roll laminators are ideal for those who laminate in large quantities, and are most economical for printers and copy shops. They are usually used for larger items such as posters. These machines use two rolls of laminating film that have adhesive on one side. As the machine heats up, the glue melts and the two rolls come together to seal the sheet.

Dimensions laminators

Laminators are mainly available in A4 and A3 sizes, which are suitable for most users. If you want to laminate small or medium-sized documents such as prescription/transport/ID cards, labels or documents up to A4 size, then an A4 laminator will do an excellent job. With it you can laminate documents in sizes A4, A5 and A6.
For larger documents up to A3 format, choose a wide-format A3 laminator.

Foil for lamination

If you have chosen a laminator for home and office use, you will need a suitable laminating film. It varies in different sizes, thicknesses and finishes. The choice depends on several factors, including the size of the items to be laminated, the durability required and whether additional protection, such as UV protection, is required. Here are some basic tips to help you choose.

Size

Laminating films are available in a wide variety of sizes, from tiny 54 x 86mm to A2. The most popular sizes for lamination are A4 and A3.

Thickness

The thickness of the laminating film is measured in microns (denoted µ). The thicker it is, the stronger the protection. Available in thicknesses of 80, 100, 125, 175 and 250 microns. Before purchasing, make sure that the selected laminating machine can handle the desired film thickness.

Coverage

The most common coating of laminating film is gloss - extremely versatile, which is suitable for most applications. A matte-finish foil is also available, which is more suitable for applications such as menus, as it is less reflective and therefore makes the items easier to read.

Smartfolio

Smart foils are a new generation of foils that help with faster lamination. They feature a unique barcode that allows the laminating machine to automatically recognize the type of foil and determine the laminating speed and temperature.

Features to consider

Automatic return
The auto-return anti-jam function ensures consistent and trouble-free lamination.

Time to warm up
If you laminate regularly, look for a machine that heats up in a short time. Warm-up time usually varies from 1 to 5 minutes.

Number of rolls
The higher the number of rolls, the better the quality of the lamination. The likelihood of traffic jams is also less.

Energy efficiency
Power-saving features, such as sleep mode or automatic shutdown, reduce power consumption and increase safety. For example, some of the Monolith models have Eco-PTC technology, thanks to which they save up to 75% of energy.

Productivity
Higher-end laminators have a film thickness detection feature and automatically self-adjust to the optimal lamination setting. They work with the aforementioned smartfoils.

We hope that these recommendations will be useful in your choice of laminator. You can view all the models we offer here. If you still have questions and need expert help, write to us in the chat on the site.