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Roll laminators use two separate rolls of film to laminate instead of the film sleeve used by pouch laminators. This means they can laminate at a greater speed than pouch laminators, and it also often allows for larger sizes of paper.
However, the film sheets for roll laminators don’t come pre-cut or pre-rounded, so the final product will require a bit of cutting and measuring before it's ready to be used in your office, classroom, or home. Roll laminators can also often be bulkier and more expensive than pouch laminators, so they might not be best for personal use.
Still, one major benefit of roll laminators is that you don’t have to worry about the length or width of what you want to laminate as long as the laminating sheets are wide enough for your project.
This makes them ideal for bigger projects like posters or banner artwork. Due to this advantage in size as well as their output speed, roll laminators are often favored by offices, schools, and other sorts of corporations or groups.
Pouch laminators are often smaller and lighter than roll laminators. They use specially-made film folders to laminate documents of specific sizes. These folders, or "pouches", can be between three and ten mils in thickness, with one mil being about a thousandth of an inch. The thicker the pouch, the harder it will be to bend.
Most pouch laminators are made for jobs that are letter-size documents and under, so the scope of what you can laminate is a bit restricted. However, it isn't impossible to find pouch laminators that can laminate up to A3 size documents.
Pouch laminators are a bit slower and less efficient than roll laminators, but their more compact nature makes them a great choice if you want a laminator in your home or personal office space. An additional benefit is that the pouches are always pre-cut and usually have rounded corners, so you will inevitably have less cutting work to do after the lamination is complete.
Lamination occurs when the adhesives inside the laminating film are activated and bind together around the paper being laminated. This can be achieved with thermal lamination or cold lamination. Both laminating methods work, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Thermal laminators use heat to activate the adhesives in laminating sheets and pouches. They are the most common type of laminators and are therefore available in a large number of sizes and varieties.
The same can be said of the pouches or laminating film that's used for thermal lamination; if you have a diverse assortment of document sizes that you want to laminate, a thermal laminator might be your best choice.
However, the heat created by thermal laminators can be damaging to documents or photos that use more delicate inks such as water-based ink. They do take some time to warm up as well, so if yours is a busier lifestyle, this lamination method may not be for you. There's also the factor of your own safety to consider, as it is possible to burn yourself while using a thermal laminator.
The problem with this lamination method is that cold laminators aren't as widely available. The sizes of cold laminating films or pouches are also less diverse, so you may have to do more cutting work if you want to laminate smaller documents. It's important to note, however, that more and more laminators are being designed to have both hot and cold laminating functions.
Some laminators offer useful extra features that can make a world of difference for your laminating experience. Popular extra features include corner rounders, paper trimmers, and sensors to tell you when the document is jammed.
As mentioned earlier, there are also laminators that come with both thermal and cold lamination settings. This may mean a higher price tag, but it’s perfect if your scope of laminating jobs is varied. We recommend considering which features are best for you when purchasing a new laminator.
As paper jams can be inevitable when it comes to machines like laminators and printers, you may also want to stick with laminating machines that have an Anti-Blocking System, or an ABS. This can come in the form of a lever or even a button, which you can use when your laminator jams up.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Blusmart Multiple Function A3 Laminator | $57.99 High Mid | Packed With Features and Perfect for Crafters or Businesses | ||
2 | Scotch Thermal Laminator | $21.99 Low Mid | A Simple Yet Powerful Laminating Tool | ||
3 | Abox Pixseal II Laminating Machine |Black | $49.99 Mid | Promises Speedy Lamination and Two Cutters | ||
4 | Fellowes Saturn 3i 125 Laminator|12.5 inch, Silver & Black | $94.78 High Mid | InstaHeat Technology Spares You Time and Stress | ||
5 | Hopvision 4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine | $25.99 Low Mid | Lightweight Laminator With an Efficient Heating System | ||
6 | Amazon Basics Thermal Laminator Machine|9-inch | $39.75 Mid | Amazon's Thermal Laminator is Handy for Home Users | ||
7 | Vevor Cold Laminator Machine|25-inch | $113.99 High | The Best Cold Roll Laminator | ||
8 | Crenova A4 Laminator|4-in-1 Laminator Set | $29.99 Low Mid | A Lightweight and Portable Tool for Your Desk | ||
9 | Toyuugo SL200 Hot & Cold Laminator | $21.99 Low Mid | This Multi-Function Laminator is Good for Small Projects | ||
10 | Eficentline YE381 5-in-1 Laminator | $57.99 High Mid | A 3-Millimeter Laminator That's Beginner-Friendly |
For the most part, users are thrilled with how portable and easy-to-use Bluesmart's laminator is. Many say that the extra features make projects like scrapbooking easier and more enjoyable. The common consensus is that Blusmart's Multiple Function Laminator heats up quickly, can be cooled just as easily, and is overall an incredibly useful tool.
Scotch's Thermal Laminator makes up for its lack of bells and whistles with an uncomplicated user interface and an incredibly effective two-roller laminating system. This reduces the risk of wrinkles, bubbles, or other aesthetic issues during the lamination process and produces a professional-looking result.
However, some reviewers report that Scotch's laminator emits an unpleasant smell and can be quite noisy, especially as it gets older. A few have also complained that the specific pouches the guide recommends users to buy are more expensive than regular laminator pouches.
Most users are thrilled with how efficient, user-friendly, and economic this thermal laminator is. Satisfied reviewers vary from individuals to teachers laminating projects for a class. Considering how cost-effective and sturdy Scotch's laminator is, we think it's a great choice for beginners or for buyers not looking for extra functions.
With their Pixseal II laminator, Abox boasts a speedy 350 millimeter per minute output and an efficient heating-cooling system. This laminator includes quite a few useful features such as a buzzer that reminds users to remove the finished lamination, a corner and paper cutter, and a readable display bar for the heating process.
A few users have pointed out that despite being designed specifically for the Pixseal II laminator, the accompanying laminating pouches don't produce good results. It may be a good idea to purchase more trusted pouches separately.
Most reviewers rave that the Pixseal II works efficiently and consistently for personal or office situations. Many are thrilled with how well the paper and corner cutters work. While a few have reported some issues, they added that the included warranty made the return and replacement an easy and successful process.
A few users have discovered issues with longevity, warning that in their experience the Laminator Saturn 3i 125 started making grinding noises or ruining the laminations within a year. However, as this laminator does come with a two-year warranty, we think it's still a good option.
Small business owners, in particular, are happy with the Laminator Saturn 3i 125. Plenty have been using it daily without issues and note that it's user-friendly and safe due to the auto-shutoff function.
Hopvision's 4 in 1 Portable Laminating Machine packs an efficient 11-inch-per-minute laminating speed, hot and cold lamination settings, and a swift warming time into one home-sized package. This laminator comes with a paper cutter and corner rounder; it can handle pouch thickness of up to five mils.
Some people who used this laminator have reported that it runs hot, as evidenced by the occasionally wrinkled and jammed pieces they tried to make. We don't recommend you use Hopvision's laminator for thinner laminating pouches or for delicate projects like photos unless you intend to do so using the cold lamination option.
Most users, however, were happy with how effectively Hopvision's machine laminated their projects despite its compact and lightweight make. Many reported that the paper cutter and corner trimmer both worked very well and made the machine incredibly useful to have around the home. So long as you plan on using it for thicker papers and sturdy projects, we think this is a fine laminator to invest in.
Amazon Basics offers a user-friendly thermal laminator with two heat settings designed to accommodate different thicknesses of laminating film. This laminator has a handy anti-jam lever to help you out when you're stuck, and if you find yourself in need of a larger model the brand also offers a 12-inch version of the same device.
Some customers express disappointment at how small the feed tray is, noting that this makes it easy to create jams or other quality issues with the final product. It also appears that this isn't a very forgiving laminator, as any deviation from the instructions causes problems to arise in the laminating process.
For the most part, users are happy with how smoothly and efficiently this laminator works when the directions are properly followed. Some have experienced jams but report that these were easily taken care of with the jam lever. Many note that due to its compact size and simple setup, it's a great tool for personal use around the home.
Some users complain that the manual operation of Vervor's laminator is complicated and difficult and that the instructions aren't always helpful. Others warn that it is easily damaged during the shipping process.
Unfortunately, some people who bought this A4 laminator have complained that while it certainly heats up quickly, the heat produced isn't always enough to completely seal the adhesives in the lamination film. You may have to run your project through several times for a thorough lamination, and that can cause wrinkles in more delicate projects.
Toyuugo's SL200 Hot & Cold Laminator promises a well-paced warm-up of three minutes and an output speed of 280 millimeters per minute. Equipped with an ABS button to deal with possible jams and two different temperature settings, it's got the boxes checked for an efficient and multi-purpose lamination experience.
Some users do warn that the SL200 begins to lose its output quality if used for a long amount of time. The company itself warns to give the laminator a break every 30 minutes, so we don't recommend this product for long, heavy use, or large projects.
Other complaints include consistent jamming and bad heating during the lamination process.
When the SL200 does work, however, it seems to work well. Many reviewers are delighted with the airtight, smooth quality of both thermal and cold laminations. Several decided to use this laminator for old photos and keepsakes, and they report that the cold setting did an excellent job of preserving their projects. While not the most durable machine, it's fair for personal use.
With their YE381 5-in-1 Laminator, Eficentline guarantees a smart temperature control system, thermal and cold lamination, and a 250 millimeter-per-minute output speed. The included paper cutter has three separate blades as well as a corner rounder, and there's an ABS button to release any jams.
Despite the added bells and whistles of the paper cutter, some users report that it doesn't cut or move between settings well. Others are displeased with the fact that this laminator only works with paper thicknesses of up to three millimeters. If you want to laminate thicker documents or photos, this isn't the product for you.
Other users say that this is an extremely easy laminator to use, and therefore makes a great gift choice or product pick for home users. Most report that the included 50 laminating pouches, the corner rounder, and an included hole punch add to the handiness and efficiency of this laminator when it comes to personal projects and crafts.
Laminating can be a tricky and even dangerous process. Here are some tips and tricks for staying safe and getting the best quality from your new laminator.
On the topic of cooling down, be sure to allow your laminator to fully cool before turning it off. Powering a thermal laminator off before it's fully cooled may cause damage to the rollers, which in turn can lead to jams. Some thermal laminators have a cooling function, which will save you time and trouble with future laminating projects in this regard.
When using a thermal laminator especially, it's easy for laminating film or pouches to develop air bubbles, wrinkles, or other similar issues. These usually mean that the heat setting is too high and has warped the plastic.
Some film pouches come with cardboard carriers, or temporary cases, which are meant to provide some extra protection from the heat of the laminator. If you find carriers attached to your laminating pouches, we recommend against removing them, unless your laminator's manual says otherwise.
Finally, it's important to allow your laminated document to fully cool before performing any cutting or hole punching. Failure to do so will often result in wrinkling or other damage to the still-hot plastic. As long as you keep these tips in mind and read the instructions unique to your laminator, you should be able to effectively laminate any sort of document or project!
Whether you've learned that you'll be working remote long-term or you just want to spruce up your desk space, we've got some great recommendations for office and at-home supplies.
No. 1: Blusmart |Multiple Function A3 Laminator
No. 2: Scotch|Thermal Laminator
No. 3: Abox|Pixseal II Laminating Machine |Black
No. 4: Fellowes |Saturn 3i 125 Laminator|12.5 inch, Silver & Black
No. 5: Hopvision|4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Home goods
Home electronics
PC
Camera
Beauty
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen
Fashion
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior
Hobbies
Outdoor
Home, garden, and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Media
Games
Apps
Automotive
Gifts
Mobile devices