MyBinding Knowledge Base
What are my options for laminating pouches?
One of the best things about laminators is that there are a variety of supplies you can use with these devices. In fact, there are five different kinds of laminating pouches that come in many sizes and thicknesses, from 1.5 mil all the way to 10 mil. Knowing what supplies are available can help you make the right choice when it comes time to buy them. So here are the five types of packets:
- Thermal. Thermal pouches are very popular and are probably the most common type of laminating supplies. These packets contain adhesive that is activated by the machine’s heat. In addition to standard, everyday packets, there are premium thermal supplies available and they’re perfect for when you want to preserve your document for a long time. These items will prevent your document from becoming discolored or faded, and some of them even offer UV protection. GBC’s HeatSeal LongLife products are what you should get if you need premium laminating supplies.
- Self-sealing. These type of packets are what you need when you want to do cold lamination. They can also come in handy when you need laminate something but aren’t near your machine. Self-sealing pouches are great for when you’re working with heat-sensitive items (photographs, ink-jet printouts, etc.) that would otherwise be damaged if they were processed on a hot setting. Some of these packets are resealable, so if you make an error when laminating or your final product is marred by bubbles or wrinkles, you can reposition and reseal the packet to get the right look.
- Sticky back. Sticky back pouches are a really innovative product. Not only do they protect your document from spills, rips, and other damage, they have a liner on the back that you can remove to reveal an adhesive backing. You can then stick your laminated item on to any flat surface to make professional-looking displays and signs. You could even use them for craft projects, such as scrapbooking.
- Matte. One thing you need to consider when buying laminating pouches is the type of finish you want. A lot of packets have a glossy finish which often looks great, but there are times when you need something a little bit less flashy. That’s when matte packets come in handy. These items have a non-shiny surface that can be written on with a Sharpie or ballpoint pen. Depending on your needs, you can use one that has two matte surfaces or one with a glossy side and a matte side.
- Colored. Finally, colored packets are available and they offer a quick and easy way to make your documents more noticeable. Each one has a clear front and then a colored back. The colors that are available include black, white, red, and blue.
< 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)
