Laminators are a great way to preserve those important photographs and documents. They can also be used for craft projects, such as scrapbooks, personalized luggage tags, customized bookmarks, holiday placemats, and more. If you'd like to get started with lamination either at home or in the classroom, there's something you can get that has everything you need to get started. It's the CS-900DL Create and Laminate Deluxe Kit from Royal Sovereign, one of the country's premier manufacturer of laminators. Here's what this great collection includes....

The Royal Sovereign CS-900 Pouch Laminator. This is one of Royal Sovereign's smallest laminators, but as they say, good things come in small packages. This laminator is very easy to use and can be operated just by pressing a button. It can laminate larger documents, such as legal-sized ones (8.5" x 14") and smaller items such as snapshots, recipe cards, and bookmarks. It uses laminating pouches that are 3 and 5 mil thick. (Note: a mil is equal to 0.001 inches.) This device is very lightweight (it weighs just about two pounds) and is less than 13 inches long, so you can store it away easily when not in use as well as take it with you when necessary. Just use caution when using it around children and pets so no one gets burned.
A selection of laminating pouches. To laminate, you're going to need laminating pouches and the Create and Laminate kit comes with a terrific selection of them. Forty letter-sized pouches (8.5" x 11") are included, as well as pouches for bookmarks, 4" x 6" photographs or recipes, and luggage tags. There are even 10 framed pouches that will make your documents look their best.
Construction paper, crayons, and markers. To jump-start your creativity, this kit includes both paper and writing instruments. Forty sheets of construction paper can be used for a variety of purposes and the five Crayola crayons and 10 markers will make drawing and writing a pleasure.
Recipe cards and storage. If you're into cooking, you'll be delighted to know that this kit has a bunch of supplies you can use to start putting a recipe collection together - or organize your existing one. Included are 40 4" x 6" index cards, a recipe box, tabbed recipe cards, and five pre-printed cards. And, as mentioned before, 40 4"x 6" laminating pouches are included in this collection so you can start protecting and organizing your recipes so future generations can enjoy them.
Other supplies. In addition to all of the above items, this kit contains an Elmer's glue stick, a 12-inch ruler, a fridge notepad and pen, and 40 magnets with adhesive backs. The Royal Sovereign CS-900DL Create and Laminate Deluxe Kit is just what you need to if you want to laminate those important documents as well as have fun creating new things. This is a wonderful product to use with kids and is sure to bring out everyone's creativity. Get one today and see how much fun lamination can be!

laminating pouches

In this article, we'll discuss both self-adhesive and sticky-back pouches to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two pouch styles.

Self-Adhesive Laminating Pouches
Also called self-sealing, self-laminating, or cold laminating pouches, self-adhesive laminating pouches are made from pressure-sensitive laminating film and do not need heat in order to seal the document. Like laminating with pressure-sensitive roll laminating film, cold pouches do not damage heat-sensitive documents (such as digitally-printed materials). To use self-adhesive pouch film, simply remove the backing that lines the adhesive side of the pouch, insert your document, and firmly press the layers together to create a seal. This style of pouch is considerably more expensive than traditional thermal pouches, so if you are looking to laminate large quantities of documents, you may want to consider purchasing a pouch laminating machine to take advantage of the lower pricing for thermal pouches. If you're only laminating a few documents, laminating as part of a one-time project, or performing lamination in the field (without access to electricity), then self-laminating pouches may be an ideal choice for you.

Sticky-Back Laminating Pouches
Sticky-back pouches are similar to traditional thermal laminating film in that they require heat to create a seal around the document. The unique feature of sticky-back laminating pouches is that they have an adhesive backing, which allows the laminated document to be stuck to a folder, bound presentation, signboard, or any other smooth surface. After placing the document within the pouch and running it through your laminator at the proper temperature, simply peel off the release liner on the back of the film to expose the adhesive and affix it as desired. Though the cost of the added adhesive backing is reflected in a higher retail price as compared to standard thermal pouches, sticky-back laminating pouches are much less expensive than self-adhesive pouches.

In Review
Though the terms sticky-back and self-adhesive may sound similar, the products that they refer to are actually very different. Self-adhesive (cold) pouches use pressure-sensitive adhesive to encapsulate documents without using a thermal laminator. Since they don't require the use of a thermal laminating machine, these pouches are a great option for small laminating projects or for laminating documents that are heat-sensitive. They require more manual labor and cost considerably more than thermal pouches, so if you plan on laminating a high volume of documents, you'll definitely want to consider purchasing a machine that would enable you to use thermal laminating pouches. Sticky-back pouches are thermal laminating sleeves that have an adhesive backing, allowing users to affix them to any smooth surface. Like any other thermal lamination pouch, they must be run through a laminator in order to achieve a seal. The added adhesive backing does come at a slightly higher price point compared to standard thermal pouches, but they are still substantially less expensive than self-adhesive pouches.

If you are looking for a laminating pouch that can be sealed without a laminator, then a self-adhesive pouch will fit your needs. If you want to adhere a heat-sealed pouch to a bound presentation or in-store display, then a sticky-back pouch is an excellent option.
laminating pouches

Are you looking for a professional-grade pouch laminator for your office? Especially one that can handle large documents? If so, you'll want to read all about the GBC HeatSeal H450. This is a very high-quality laminator that probably has just about all the features you could ever want. Here are its many strengths, as well as a mention of its very few weaknesses.
Strengths:
The H450 has one of the widest feed openings you'll find in a laminator. It's 13 inches wide and is large enough to accommodate documents that are printed on 12" x 18" paper. Of course it can also laminate smaller items such as those that are letter- and legal-sized (8.5" x 11" and 8.5" x 14" respectively).
This machine has both hot and cold settings so you can laminate a wide range of items: photographs, menus, signs, anything containing water-based ink, and more. The temperature is controlled via an LCD display.
You can use just about any pouch you want with this device. Laminating pouches range in thickness from 1.5 to 10 mil (a mil is 1/1000th of an inch) and the H450 can handle them all. That way, you'll definitely be able to use the right pouch for whatever it is you're laminating. You can even use pressure-sensitive pouches when doing cold lamination.
This machine can process your documents pretty quickly. It has the ability to laminate a 19.5-inch document in one minute, so it will take even less time than that to finish off a letter-sized piece.
When you're not using the H450, it will automatically shut itself off. This makes for a safer working environment (no risk of fire) and it keeps the motor in good condition. It will also help you save on electric costs.
Pouch jams are annoying, but they do happen. If you run into one, this machine has a reverse mode you can use to get things back on track.
You're going to be very pleased with the results you get from this device. It has four rollers to ensure everything is laminated beautifully and is free of heat marks and bubbles.

Weaknesses:

Although the H450 can laminate items rather quickly, it has a very long warm-up time. You can expect it to take 8 to 10 minutes to heat up which is a really long time. (Especially if you're in a hurry.) A light will turn on when you can go ahead and use it.
This is one of GBC's less flashy laminators as far as looks go. It lacks the contemporary styling seen on newer models such as the GBC HeatSeal H420. However, this is a much more powerful laminator than some of the other ones, so it's definitely a trade-off. It's evident that the weaknesses of the GBC HeatSeal H450 are far outweighed by its strengths. While the lengthy warm-up time is a letdown, overall this is a machine that will impress you. From its wide feed opening to its fast laminating time, the H450 is the professional-grade laminator you need.

laminating