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Laminating versus Encapsulating
Technically the process of heat sealing paper into a clear plastic pocket with sealed edges is encapsulating rather than laminating. Laminating is the correct term when a single film is applied to the paper - normally trimmed to the exact size of the paper. You can also laminate both sides, which is similar to laminating except that the edges are not sealed allowing water to get in. However most people refer to encapsulating as laminating so we go alone with the popular use of the term and refer to these as laminating pouches.
Using Laminating Pouches
Most laminating pouches require heat into order to melt the clear adhesive within the pouch to get it to stick to the paper and seal the edges. To achieve a good seal the laminator (laminating machine) must operate at the correct temperature. This can be adjusted on better quality laminators with a temperature control, a speed setting or both. Essentially if the plastic does not seal properly the temperature is too low. If the plastic crinkles the temperature is too high.
A carrier is a waxed paper sleeve into which a laminating pouch can be placed to feed it through the machine. In most cases it is not necessary to use our pouches in a carrier but in instances where it is had to control temperature (e.g. in cheap laminators) using the carrier prevents excess glue seaping out onto the rollers and clogging up the machine.
While cold laminating pouches exist, relying just on pressure from rollers to seal, we do not offer these preferring to rely on proven heat seal technology.
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