Paper lamination: tips and advice

Lamination is really THE solution to keep your documents in perfect condition and protect them from the hazards of everyday life. But how do you make sure the result is always flawless? Follow our advice to become a true laminating professional!

Why laminate paper?

Still don't see why you should laminate your documents? Here are a few reasons why.

To protect important documents

Laminating is first and foremost a protective technique. Once laminated, your documents are much less exposed to the wear and tear of time. Whether it is white paper, A3 paper, A4 paper, A5 paper or even a sheet of coloured paper, they are all vulnerable to moisture, dirt and accidental tearing. Laminating means putting your document in a protective plastic sleeve and protecting it from splashes, fingerprints and dust. This barrier is perfect for important documents such as diplomas, contracts, business cards and restaurant menus.

Laminating also means you can handle your documents without risking damaging them! If you have advertising posters or papers that you use often, this technique gives them extra protection against frequent use. No more bent corners or creased pages!

Increase the durability of paper

Laminating not only offers protection, but also strengthens the structure of the paper by making it more robust. Imagine a laminated business card, timetable or poster: they will always remain flawless, without folds or tears, despite intensive use. If you look at how paper is made, you will see that it is not really designed to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. Lamination, on the other hand, changes all that by strengthening the paper and giving it a more polished appearance. By choosing this technique, you can safely store your administrative papers because you have extended their lifespan while keeping them looking like new.

Bonus: laminated documents are super easy to clean. A stain? A bit of dust? Just wipe with a damp cloth and you're done.

And if you want to take a more eco-friendly approach too, read all about eco-friendly paper here.

The different methods for laminating paper

There are two main methods of laminating your documents:

Laminator: a practical tool

The laminator is undoubtedly the most practical and effective method. This device heats a laminating pouch into which you place your document. The heat melts the pouch slightly and your paper is sealed between two protective layers of plastic. The process is quick and easy.

How do I use it?

1. Slide your document into a suitable laminating pouch and make sure it is centred. Leave a small margin of at least 3 mm around it for an airtight seal.
2. Turn on the laminator and wait for the temperature to reach the desired level. Most machines have a light to indicate when they are ready.
3. Place the pouch in the laminator, with the sealed side first. The machine does the rest by heating and sealing the plastic layers around the document.
4. When the laminating is done, let the document cool for a few minutes before handling it.

Using self-adhesive plastic film

If you don't have a laminator handy, self-adhesive plastic film is a simple and effective solution. You don't need any heat or equipment: all you need is a roll of self-adhesive film and you're done!

How to use it.

1. Cut a piece of self-adhesive plastic film and carefully place your document in the centre of the adhesive area.
2. Gently smooth the foil over the document using a ruler or a stiff card to avoid air bubbles.
3. Cut away the excess foil around the document. Leave a margin of at least 1 cm for better protection.

Practical tips for laminating your documents

For top-level laminating, it is not enough to use the right method. You also need to take a few precautions for flawless results:

Prepare your documents for laminating

Before you start, make sure your documents are smooth and clean. Crumpled or stained paper can compromise the final result. If you choose to use a laminator, choose a cover that is the right size for your document.

If you want to laminate several small documents, such as business cards, put them in one large sleeve. Once they are laminated, you can cut them out neatly without wasting several pouches.

Tips to avoid air bubbles

Air bubbles can quickly ruin a perfect laminate. To avoid them, make sure your laminator is warm before you use it. If it is too cold, the plastic will not seal properly and if it is too hot, it can damage your document.

If you use self-adhesive plastic film, the trick is to smooth it gradually with a ruler or a stiff card as you apply it. This way, you will remove any air bubbles.

Extra tip: if air bubbles do appear, don't panic! You can put the bag through the laminator again and increase the temperature slightly. For adhesive film, try to gently push the air bubble to the edge with a stiff card.

Whether you choose the laminator for a flawless finish or adhesive plastic film for a quick fix, the result will be just as good if you follow these tips. No more air bubbles or poorly sealed pockets - you're now ready to laminate like a pro!