How to Use a Roll Laminator

Most roll laminators are very easy to use and require little maintenance. However, owning and operating roll laminator that can sometimes take a bit of learning curve. Let’s go over how to laminate with your roll laminator from how to load and thread your laminating film to laminating a document.

How to Load a Laminating Film Roll

Your laminator should come with instructions for how to load your specific machine, but let’s go over the basics.

1. Identify the sides of your film. There’s a shiny side and the dull side to every roll. It is important to identify these sides before you begin, so your film adheres to your paper and not your rollers. Only the shiny side should ever make contact with your laminator. The dull side contains the adhesive so should be facing out towards the document.

1. Turn off your machine. It is important to note that while some machines do allow for the changing of rolls while hot, it is recommended that you undertake this project while the rollers are cold to keep you from receiving accidental burns.

1. Load your film roll onto the spindle pipes. On your roll laminator, you will notice that there are long tubes. Those are known as spindle pipes and that is where the rolls of laminating film go. Remove the spindles and insert the pipe into your film roll. In some cases, there are arrows that indicate which direction the rolls are supposed to be removed from. If your laminator doesn’t have an indicator, you may have to consult your owner’s manual for more assistance.
   • Pro Tip: If you no longer have the manual, go to your manufacturer’s website and see if there is a version you can look at online and/or download.

1. Replace the spindle pipes. Once your film roll is secured on the spindle put it back into place on your laminator.

1. Thread the film. You can now start to thread the laminating roll through the machine’s roller bars. Again, you will notice that there is a slick, clear side to the roll and a dull side. The dull side contains the adhesive, so will need to be facing out, or towards the opposite film feed when it comes in contact with the heat rollers.

   Unfortunately, every machines threading pattern, or web, can be slightly different so we can’t guide you through it. Refer to your machines threading diagram and as long as you have the adhesive facing the correct direction you should be okay.

1. Prepare your threading card. You are now ready to run your film through the laminator and out the other side. It is easiest to do this with a “threading card” often one will come with your film but if not any stiff paper, like cardstock or a filing folder, will suffice. Press the card against the laminate into the roller entrance of the laminator. If your film isn’t in the correct position to do this, try folding some of the roll over the card and taping the adhesive side to it.
   • Pro Tip: If you don’t have anything to use as a threading card handy there is a way to load your film without it called “hot swapping.” This method can save time and reduce waste but can only be done if your laminator already has film loaded on to it. You can learn how to “hot swap” here.

1. Feed the film through the rollers. Turn on the machine and let the rollers advance the threading card through the machine while it is still cold. While you are doing this, check to see if the film feeds are aligned. Once you have adjusted the feed to the best of your ability advance item all the way through the machine and shut off the drive.

1. Aligning the laminating rolls. Do the best you can to center each roll, ensuring that the edges of both rolls are as even as possible to the sides and each other. Do a quick test run of the drive (without heat) of maybe two to five seconds to see if the edges of the roll remain centered and aligned. If so, great. If not, you will need to adjust the roll. Be as exacting as you can, because this step makes all the difference in the finished product, and misaligned rolls both look unsatisfactory and can permanently damage the items that you are laminating.

How to Laminate with a Roll Laminator

Once your film is loaded you are ready to laminate. All roll laminators work in pretty much the same way so lets go over how to laminate.

1. Turn your laminator on. It’s important to do this well ahead of time with thermal machines so they have time to warm up.

1. Check moveable parts. Make sure that the device’s heat shield and feed tray are positioned properly. If they’re not in the right places, you won’t be able to laminate your materials, pure and simple.

1. Select the appropriate speed and temperature settings. If you can — some devices don’t allow the user to tweak these settings — adjust the speed and heat for optimal results. These settings are dictated by the type and thickness of film you’re using. There should be instructions in your owner’s manual about what settings are appropriate. There may even be instructions printed on the laminator to help you out.
   • Pro Tip: If you are unsure of what settings to use, laminate a test sheet and check if any settings need to be adjusted. For easy troubleshooting, this guide should help you know what settings to adjust if needed.

1. Feed your document through. When your laminator is ready, go ahead and place your document on the machine’s feed table. Make sure it’s centered so that it will be fully encapsulated by the laminating film. Press the item up against the roller feed. The machine may start laminating the item automatically or you may have to press a “Run” button.

1. Enjoy your laminated document. The laminator should pull the document through the rollers and your beautifully laminated document should come out the other side.

And there you have it! You have successfully started your path down the laminating trail. If you need information on how to maintain and clean your roll laminator your can read all about it here. Additionally, if unfortunately find yourself with a laminator jam we walk you through how to fix it here. If you have any other questions always feel free to the contact us. Good luck and happy laminating.