About the author: Phil Taylor has over 35 years of experience in the field of manufacturing, sourcing and distributing laminators, laminating machines, laminating supplies and print finishing equipment.
In the demanding environment of education, ensuring that teaching materials stay protected and durable is crucial. Laminators have become indispensable tools in schools, helping educators preserve and enhance instructional materials. However, with a wide variety of laminators available, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. In this guide, we'll walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting a laminator for your school.
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Laminator for Use in a School?
Laminating Capacity and Size:
Schools often need to laminate a variety of documents, from classroom posters to ID cards. Consider the size of the documents you'll be laminating. For typical school and classroom use, an A3 laminator is a popular choice. It accommodates standard-sized A3 and A4 paper and, in fact, any size up to a maximum of A3 and is versatile enough for various projects. If you need to laminate larger items such as posters and other displays, you will need to consider either and A2 laminator or possibly even and A1 laminator. Remember, the size stated for the laminator is the maximum it can laminate and it will also laminate any other sizes up to that maximum.
Lamination Speed:
In a busy school environment, efficiency matters. Look for a laminator with a fast warm-up and high-speed capability to reduce waiting time. A laminator with adjustable speed settings can also be beneficial, allowing you to customise the laminating process for different materials.
Durability and Reliability:
Schools require laminators that can withstand constant use. Check for laminators built with durable materials and backed by a reliable warranty.
Product Recommendation:
The Fellowes Venus A3 Heavy Duty Laminator is a fast and reliable option for heavy-duty laminating needs.
Ease of Use:
Laminators should be user-friendly, especially for educators who might not have extensive technical knowledge or make frequent use of the machine. Features like intuitive controls, easy-to-load film or automatic feeding and laminating can make a significant difference.
Product Recommendations:
The Leitz iLam A3 Touch2 Turbo Heavy Duty Laminator offers a user-friendly experience, with Smart Sensor technology that automatically recognises document and pouch thickness then automatically selects the correct settings.
The GBC Foton 30 FULLY AUTOMATIC FEED Heavy Duty Roll Laminator goes one step further as it automatically feeds, laminates and trims 30 A4 or A3 documents at a time at the touch of a single button. No more time wasted loading pouches and feeding them one by one into the laminator. It laminates, while you get on with your work.
What Is A Pouch Carrier And Do I Need One?
A pouch carrier is a protective sleeve used when laminating fragile or heat-sensitive documents. While not always necessary, it can prevent damage to documents that might wrinkle or curl under the heat and pressure of the laminating process. Consider the type of materials you'll be laminating. If you anticipate laminating delicate items, having pouch carriers on hand is a good idea. Please note that unless clearly stated, most modern laminators are not suitable for use with the old style cardboard carriers, so you should go with a Lifejacket pouch carrier that is made from woven Teflon instead. In addition, if you intend to use your laminator for the lamination of small, multiple items in a larger pouch (i.e flash cards or similar); odd-shaped items (i.e. stars, speech bubbles, etc.); or uneven items like children's artwork, collages or other uneven materials you should purchase a Lifejacket pouch carrier with your order and always make use of it for this kind of work.
Product Recommendations:
Both the Peak PE-332 A3 High Quality "Educator" Laminator and GBC Academy+ A3 Heavy Duty Laminator are intended solely for use with a pouch carrier and can help prevent issues with inexperienced users being unaware that a pouch carrier should be used because they can only be used in this way.
What is the Difference Between a Pouch Laminator and a Roll Laminator?
Pouch laminators and roll laminators are the two primary types of laminators available.
Pouch Laminator: Pouch laminators are user-friendly and ideal for laminating individual items. They use pre-sealed pouches matching the document size (i.e. A4, A3, etc.), making them suitable for smaller projects and documents.
Roll Laminator: Roll laminators are designed for high-volume laminating tasks. They use rolls of laminating film and are capable of laminating larger and continuous items. Roll laminators are often preferred for high volume runs, laminating posters, banners, and charts.
Consider the volume and type of laminating work you'll be doing when deciding between these two options.
Product Recommendation:
The GBC Ultima 35 Ezload A3 Heavy Duty Roll Laminator is a great entry-level and reliable choice for roll laminating needs.
What is a Laminator Used for in School?
Laminators serve various purposes in a school setting:
Preserving Teaching Materials: Educational posters, charts, and flashcards can quickly wear out due to frequent handling. Laminating these materials extends their lifespan, saving resources in the long run.
Creating Reusable Resources: Laminated materials can be written on with dry-erase markers and easily wiped clean. This allows for the creation of reusable teaching aids, reducing the need for printing.
Protecting Important Documents: School IDs, certificates, and important notices can be laminated to prevent damage and keep them looking professional.
Enhancing Visuals: Laminating classroom visuals like maps and diagrams can make them more vibrant and durable.
In conclusion, choosing the right laminator for your school involves considering factors such as size, speed, durability, ease of use, and the type of laminating work you'll be doing. By carefully assessing your school's needs, you can make an informed decision and ensure that your laminator serves as a valuable tool in enhancing the educational experience.
Remember to explore the recommended products mentioned above and click on the provided links for more details or view our full range of laminating machines for school use here. And don’t hesitate to contact us for expert advice. Happy laminating!
