What to Do If You Get a Pouch Stuck in Your Laminator

Pouch laminators are some of the most helpful office and crafting tools available. However, from time to time, a pouch might get stuck in your laminator. If this happens, you need to take care of the problem quickly. Here's what to do if you get a pouch stuck in your laminator:

1. First of all, turn off the machine and unplug it. Doing so will prevent the motor from burning out so you'll be less likely to have to repair or replace your machine.
2. Once the laminator has been shut off, take a look to see if there's any damage. If you tried to laminate a thick item, chances are it was too big to make it through the machine. Try to gently pull it out. Also, refrain from laminating thick and three-dimensional items in the future. They can really do a number on your machine.
3. There is a possibility that the laminating pouch is curled up inside the device. If this is the problem, turn the machine back on and put it in reverse mode to solve the problem. To prevent this from happening again, always use a carrier. It will prevent adhesive from seeping out of the pouch and causing problems.
4. If the pouch is really stuck in your laminator, you might need to use a more drastic way to solve the problem. Some machines are able to open up like a printer or fax machine. Trying opening yours to see if you can get rid of the pouch jam. Just be sure to unplug the device beforehand so you don't burn yourself.
5. If your machine doesn't open up, check to see if it has a pouch jam lever. This type of lever can separate the machine's rollers which makes it easier to remove jammed pouches.
6. Finally, you can open up the laminator yourself using tools. This method is okay if you have some mechanical knowledge and feel comfortable working with machines. However, this shouldn't be attempted unless you know what you are doing. If you do try this, make sure the machine is unplugged so you won't burn or electrocute yourself.

These are all things you can try to get a jammed pouch out of your laminator. However, you're better off preventing jams from occurring in the first place by using a carrier and only laminating paper documents and photographs. It will save you a lot of hassle as well as help you get a lot of use out of your laminator. Good luck!

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Written by Jeff McRitchie
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