MyBinding Knowledge Base
Can I laminate documents without a laminator?
Yes, you can laminate documents without a laminator. In fact, there are three easy DIY methods with no machine needed!
Did you know? Lamination is one of the best ways to protect your important documents and favorite photographs. While high quality laminators are expensive, there are other laminating options that don’t require a laminator. Here are a few ways to laminate documents without having to buy a laminator.
1. Use self-sealing pouches.
Lots of companies realize that not everyone has access to a laminator, so that’s why some of them produce self-sealing laminating pouches, which are also known as cold laminating pouches. These supplies don’t require a machine but they can make your documents look great and give them the protection you need.
If you’re interested in using these supplies, you’ll find that some of the best are made by GBC. This company’s self-sealing pouches are available in a number of sizes so you can laminate the smallest business cards and the largest photographs. You can choose between pouches that have permanent and repositionable adhesive depending on your needs. GBC produces self-sealing pouches that can frame your item to make it look terrific. Self-sealing pouches are easy to use, so they’re your best bet if you need to laminate without a laminator.
2. Use synthetic paper.
This type of paper is made out of plastic but it looks and feels like regular paper. Also known as waterproof paper, using synthetic paper eliminates the need for laminating because your documents will be sturdy enough for frequent handling.
In fact, your documents will be waterproof and protected from being torn. Synthetic paper works with color copiers and laser printers so it’s easy to use. There are even several sizes of synthetic paper available including letter size (8.5” x 11”) and tabloid size (11” x 17”). Your documents will be waterproof and immune to tearing.
3. Use clear packing tape.
When dealing with small items such as labels, bookmarks, name tags or business cards, clear packing tape will provide extra protection. Unlike the other alternatives, tape is easy to find, cheap and most likely already in your home. Tape can be hard to position right but you can master placement with practice.
Here is a transcript of the self-sealing pouch video: Welcome to MyBinding video. This video looks at GBC’s SelfSeal Permanent and Repositional Laminating Gloss Pouches. We know that many projects are very small – ID badges, name badges, wallet card size and business card size. Here at MyBinding.com, you can get any size you need. These SelfSealing laminating pouches need to machine or heat whatsoever. Simply peel it back like a sticker and press it flat. Voila. We also have repositional ones that within 24 hour period you can peel off your back and start again. As demonstrated here on an 8 ½ by 11 sheet, you simply peel it back. There’s no residue left on your product and press it flat again. To be sure the repositional isn’t quite as strong, sturdy, waterproof as the regular but you have added flexibility. There it is, on the small, wallet, and ID badge size – the permanent and repositional SelfSeal Laminating Pouches by GBC. For more demos, reviews and how to’s, check out MyBinding.com.
Photo credit: Feather Out
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
