Learn More About Laminators

What type of laminator do you need?

Self-laminating sheets

Ideal for: Small quick jobs, such as laminating a handful of business cards, name tags, luggage tags, bookmarks, and home craft items.

Key features:

• Single–sided, clear, plastic sheets or double–sided, clear, plastic pouches that require hand pressing.
• Manual process. No special tools, machines, or equipment needed. Just peel and seal. Single–sided sheets may require trimming after lamination.
  
  

Light duty laminating machine

Ideal for: Home and small office use. Laminates photos, ID cards, business cards, luggage tags, photos, inkjet printed photo pages, and small phone lists, menus, presentation visuals, maps, drawings, and charts (see below for dimensions).

Key features:

• Maximum document width between 4.5" and 12.5" and maximum thickness of 3 to 5 micrometers depending on the model.
• For maximum versatility, look for a laminating machine that offers both warm and cold settings. The cold setting is recommended for laminating heat–sensitive items or inkjet output.
• Options available include automatic versus non–electric and pouch–based versus cartridge–based.
• A laminator with automatic feed capability generally works faster than a hand–turn (non–electric) system. A non–electric model is heat– and fume–free and needs no warm–up time. A non–electric system may require the user to hand–trim each laminated item.
• A pouch–based model offers high quality, quick lamination with no trimming required; the user places the item into a clear, plastic pouch (like an envelope), inserts the pouch into a protective carrier, then feeds it into the laminator. (Laminating pouches sold separately.)
• Look for a pouch–based machine with photo–quality technology for optimal results on photos, glossy stock, and digital prints.
• If you want one–step lamination, opt for a cold cartridge–based machine. It typically creates less mess than a pouch–based model. It also laminates longer items as the documents are fed through a roll of laminate. Refill cartridges sold separately.
• Easily fits on a desktop. Look for a model that comes with a carrying case and handle for portability.
  
  

Medium duty laminating machine

Ideal for: General office use. Laminates letter– and legal–size documents. Medium–duty machines also laminate small items such as photos, ID cards, business cards, photos, inkjet printed photo pages, and luggage tags. 

Key features:

• Maximum document width between 9.5" and 12.5" and maximum thickness of 3 to 7 micrometers depending on the model.
• For maximum versatility, look for a laminating machine that offers both warm and cold settings. The cold setting is recommended for laminating heat–sensitive items or inkjet output.
• On cold cartridge models, look for a model with a built–in cutter that automatically and precisely trims the length and width of a document as it laminates.
• Choose between a pouch–based or cold cartridge–based model.
• A pouch–based model offers high–quality, quick lamination with no trimming required; the user places the item into a clear, plastic pouch (like an envelope) inserts the pouch into a protective carrier, then feeds it into the laminator. (Laminating pouches sold separately.)
• Look for a pouch–based machine with Photo–Quality technology for optimal results on photos, glossy stock, and digital prints.
• If you want one–step lamination, opt for a cartridge–based machine. It typically creates less mess than a pouch–based model. It also laminates longer items as the documents are fed through a roll of laminate. (Refill cartridges sold separately.)
• Easily fits on a desktop. Look for one that comes with a carrying case and handle for portability.
  
  

Semi-professional laminating machine

Ideal for: Large offices, schools, and libraries. Works with letter–size documents, legal–size documents, and small items such as photos, ID cards, business cards, and luggage tags.

Key features:

• Maximum document width between 9.5" and 13" and maximum thickness of 3 to 10 micrometers depending on the laminating machine.
• Typically has an adjustable temperature control and multiple speed settings, allowing the user to choose the optimum setting for every application. Look for a laminator with a ready–indicator light.
• Cold cartridge models generally have a built–in cutter that automatically and precisely trims the length and width of a document as it laminates, saving you time.
• A model with more than one internal roller will help prevent bubbling and wrinkling during the lamination process. A reverse switch helps prevent and undo jams.
• Choose between a pouch–based, or cold cartridge–based model.
• A pouch–based model offers high–quality, quick lamination with no trimming required; the user places the item into a clear, plastic pouch (like an envelope), inserts the pouch into a protective carrier, then feeds it into the laminator. (Laminating pouches sold separately.)
• If you want one–step lamination, opt for a cartridge–based machine. It typically creates less mess than a pouch–based model. It also laminates longer items as the documents are fed through a roll of laminate. (Refill cartridges sold separately.)
• Easily fits on a desktop. Look for a model that comes with a carrying case and handle for portability.
  
  

Professional laminating machine

Ideal for: Print shops, schools, supply stores, sign shops, and copy shops. Works with large posters, wall charts, large maps, and blueprints. Also handles documents as small as ID cards and as large as ledger size items.

Key features:

• Maximum document width between 13" and 27" and maximum thickness of 1.5 to 10 micrometers depending on the laminating machine.
• Choose between a pouch–based, roll, or cold cartridge–based models.
• Typically has an adjustable temperature control and multiple speed settings, allowing the user to choose the optimum setting for every application. Look for a laminator with a ready–indicator light.
• Pouch–based models typically have mounting capabilities.
• Roll machines and cold cartridge models generally have a built–in cutter that automatically and precisely trims the length and width of a document as it laminates.
• A pouch–based model offers high–quality, quick lamination with no trimming required; the user places the item into a clear, plastic pouch (like an envelope), inserts the pouch into a protective carrier, then feeds it into the laminator. Laminating pouches sold separately.
• If you want one–step lamination, opt for a cartridge–based machine. It typically creates less mess than a pouch–based model. It also laminates longer items as the documents are fed through a roll of laminate. Refill cartridges sold separately.
  
  

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The information contained in this article is only an overview of the subject matter made for general guidance to the reader, and is subject in all cases to limitations and disclaimers set forth in Staples' Legal Terms and Conditions.