Laminating Suggestions

[Crazy4Stampin]

I've been asked to make 60 memorial bookmarks for the family of a dear friend who's Mom has passed. They are rather large - 2-1/2 x 8" and double sided. They want them laminated on both sides.

I've got a Xyron machine that does laminating...but it can be real finicky (and cartridges are expensive). I don't use it often, maybe that's why when I do it ends up wrinkling what I try to laminate?


I've also used clear contact paper to protect things in the past, but it isn't as nice as laminating.


Staples charge $2 a sheet for them to do it, so that probably isn't an option.


I thought I'd ask here and maybe someone has an easy & economical way to laminate?


Thanks!

[Boss]

I, too, have the Xyron laminating cartridge and it can definitely be tricky to get it on without wrinkles. And it is expensive.

I often use clear packing tape to do small laminating projects. The tape I use is 2" wide, though. I did a quick check for 3" wide clear packing tape on Amazon and came up with this

https://www.amazon.com/Uline-Packing.../dp/B00CUIB4QE

It's inexpensive ($6.20 free ship with Prime) and would allow you to trim the excess off the sides after you were finished. Someone commented that they used the tape to cover a decorated box and it was really clear and worked well.

..you would probably need to practice using it so that you wouldn't ruin any of the finished bookmarks.

Just an idea to help keep the costs down! Good luck finding a satisfactory solution.

[Crazy4Stampin]

Thanks for the idea! I'm going to try and find that size when out today.

[shazsilverwolf]

The other option is to buy a laminator & pouches and do it yourself. I laminator only needs to be a basic model-you can get them here on Amazon for $15, with pouches.

[wavejumper]

I do it myself with sheets from stationary stores. Been doing it for years for ID cards, etc This is just an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Avery-Self-Ad...inating+sheets

You may want to price compare with other brands and places and think about thicknesses. I think you should have no problem doing all 60 from one box of 50 sheets.

It worked very well for me. I just run a bone folder around the edge to seal top/bottom and then cut. BUT it can be a sharp edge, so just be aware. You might be able to run a sanding block around the edge to calm that down.
I only do one piece at a time...a talented person might be able to lay down 2-3 on a sheet at time.

Another choice is to buy bookmark sleeves like we get sleeves for cards...

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...okmark+sleeves

I got some from a stamp company but I dont remember where. The weight was nice and the edges are finished.

60 double sided is a project so if you can make life easier for yourself it might be an idea.

[cardmaker2]

I work at a school and there are a couple of great laminators there. I am able to do personal laminating as long as I measure and pay for how much. It is good quality. Do you have any contact with a school or office that would allow you, or them on your behalf, to do it for you? Our school secretaries know how much it is per foot. I laminated 2 sets of blue prints when we were building our house, I paid maybe 20$ for roughly 20 pages of blue prints.

[buggainok]

As an alternative to laminating, have you thought about using clear bookmark sleeves? I've used them for bookmarks and have been pleased.

Here is a link to some for sale on Etsy, but there are lots of them available if you google bookmark sleeves.


https://www.etsy.com/market/bookmark_sleeve

[TeeGeeDee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggainok

As an alternative to laminating, have you thought about using clear bookmark sleeves? I've used them for bookmarks and have been pleased.

Here is a link to some for sale on Etsy, but there are lots of them available if you google bookmark sleeves.


https://www.etsy.com/market/bookmark_sleeve

To add to this suggestion, if they need to be sealed maybe aFuse tool (or possibly a food sealer) could work. Maybe the OP could borrow fromvsomeone?

[Crazy4Stampin]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I had told my friend I needed to look into the laminating part of the project and she showed up here today with a brand new machine and several packages of the sheets.

Hopefully the machine will work out well. (I may need to come back and ask for more help once I try it out.;))

[Boss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy4Stampin

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I had told my friend I needed to look into the laminating part of the project and she showed up here today with a brand new machine and several packages of the sheets.

Hopefully the machine will work out well. (I may need to come back and ask for more help once I try it out.;))

Aren't friends wonderful?! So glad your friend was adventurous and found the new machine for you to try. Have fun! :-D

[wavejumper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy4Stampin

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I had told my friend I needed to look into the laminating part of the project and she showed up here today with a brand new machine and several packages of the sheets.

Hopefully the machine will work out well. (I may need to come back and ask for more help once I try it out.;))

Oh cool! Hope it works out well!

[Crazy4Stampin]

Thanks ladies!

[stampin stacy]

I was going to suggest you talk to a librarian; public or school, for laminating scraps but never mind. What a great friend. Not only does she have confidence in your ability but goes out of her way to ensure you can get the job done.


Thanks for the reminder though. Now to find that bag of laminating pieces, hmmmm....

[shazsilverwolf]

Thats great. You shouldn't have any real issues,they are so simple to use. Practice a few runs first with scrap card the same thickness as you will be using for the projects, just to get a feel for it. Depending on how large the bookmarks are compared to the pouches, you should be able to do a few in each pouch. Just leave a big enough gap to be able to trim them afterwards. You may also want to use a corner rounder on them, the corners can be surprisingly sharp.

[TexasGrammy]

Do a Google search for teacher supply stores in your area. If there's one in your vicinity, they may laminate items for a set price per foot of lamination. Their professional laminating machines have a wide roller, so you would get several bookmarks going through at one time. Worth checking. ;)

[Crazy4Stampin]

You guys are the best! Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be working on the project later and all your tips will be very helpful. My friend and her sister saw my one completed sample and were so happy they were moved to tears. I'm glad to be able to do something like this for them during this most difficult time.

[Kendel]

Remember to plan for the time the laminating will take. It is kinda slow, and then there's the trimming and possible hole punching.

[wavejumper]

Let us know if you like that laminator and which one it is. This will be a good test.

[gobarb26]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy4Stampin

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I had told my friend I needed to look into the laminating part of the project and she showed up here today with a brand new machine and several packages of the sheets.

Hopefully the machine will work out well. (I may need to come back and ask for more help once I try it out.;))

I have laminated many bookmarks as well as name tags, etc. I found it very helpful (when I had to make 50 bookmarks) to round off the edges with a corner rounder so they are not sharp. While I was working on my project, my corner rounder broke because of the thickness and toughness of the plastic. I went to JoAnn's and found the Corner Chomper on sale and it was the best purchase! Not only did it round the corners of the bookmarks, but I use it all of the time now. I have even bought another one in a different corner design. They go through anything!

Here is a link from Amazon but you can buy them at your big box craft stores with a coupon and save a lot!

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...corner+chomper

Good luck! Hope they turn out as well as mine did!