Choosing the Right Laminating Pouch for Your Job

Laminating your documents with a pouch laminator is easy. However, you need to have the right laminating pouches in order to get the results you need. Here are the five things you should consider when choosing laminating pouches:

1. Size. If you want good results, you need to choose a pouch that will completely encapsulate your document. Thus, the pouch needs to be a bit larger than your item so it will seal properly. You should opt for a 1/4” border around your document. If you're going to be using a pouch with a pre-punched slot, make sure your item doesn't cover up the hole.
2. Thickness. Laminating pouches are available in four primary thicknesses: 3, 5, 7, and 10 mil. Pouches have both front and back flaps. Thus, a 3 mil pouch is actually 6 mil thick. The thicker the pouch, the more rigid (and protected) your item will be after it's laminated. You need to choose pouches that your laminator can handle. Many of the lower-end devices can only handle thinner pouches while higher-end models can usually accommodate both thick and thin ones. Check your machine's instruction manual to find out how which pouches you can use with it.
3. Finish. Most of the laminating pouches on the market have a glossy finish. However, there some other finishes available. Matte pouches can be written on while colored pouches can make any document stand out. There are even pouches that have a peel-and-stick backing so you can basically turn your document into a sticker. Be sure to check out all available finishes to find out which one is right for your needs.
4. Quality. As with any other product, the quality of laminating pouches varies quite a bit. Cheaper pouches might help you save money but they're almost always inferior to more expensive pouches. In other words, you get what you pay for.
5. Other features. Finally, there are a couple of other things you might want to consider. Some pouches have square corners instead of slightly rounded ones. Rounded corners look a bit more professional. Also, if you work with larger items, you might want to get pouches that are sealed on the long side. Doing so will make it easier to align your materials before laminating them.

These are the five things you should consider when choosing laminating pouches. Keep them in mind the next time you're shopping so you can get the pouches that are perfect for your needs. Good luck!

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Written by Jeff McRitchie
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