A Laminator and Laminate Buyer's Guide

Lamination is the process of enclosing a document between layers of plastic film and sealing its edges. Photos, posters, letters, certificates, and cards are all examples of documents that commonly use this technique. There are various types of lamination machines, each with its own set of laminators. Lamination is a cold method of adhering a protective plastic film to a printed image. Dry mounting is the most expensive of the three options because it requires precise heat and pressure regulations. Laminated documents are also more professionally protected if they must be transported via mailing or shipping services.

Lamination is simply the process of enclosing a document between two layers of plastic film and sealing its edges to protect it from outside influences that could cause damage. Photos, posters, letters, certificates, and cards are all examples of documents that commonly use this technique, and the items can be produced professionally or at home using special laminating products.

Among the various types of laminators available, those that use the thermal (or heat) lamination process are actually layers of film made of a polyester base and resin. The resin layer melts during the heating process and is then spread across the surface of the print using pressure. Once applied, the adhesive begins to cool and harden, forming a permanent bond between the film and the print.

There are various types of laminating machines, each with its own set of laminators. The most basic will allow you to feed the document into a laminating machine, where it will come into contact with the adhesive, which will then be pressed together by rollers or, in some cases, an oversized plate.

Choosing the Right Laminator

Depending on the material to be protected, specific laminators must be used to complete the job correctly. As a result, it is critical to match the appropriate type of laminator to the material being used. In other words, different types of laminators will be required for prints on paper, wood, or fabric.

Because of the steps required to successfully laminate a print, the size of the document is critical. Because lamination pouches are used during the process, you must ensure that they are a proper fit before the technique can be completed successfully.

The frequency with which you use the lamination machine, as well as the size of the jobs, should be considered. If you intend to use it on a daily basis or for large lamination jobs, you should buy a heavy duty laminating machine. You might be better off getting an industrial machine for particularly large jobs.

Thickness is also an important consideration, as prints that are thicker will require a spring-loaded roller to be fed through the machine properly. This type of tool has the advantage of automatically adjusting to the thickness of the material being introduced.

Machines with a stand-by mode and a readiness indicator are best suited for use throughout the day, such as in an office setting.

Lamination (Hot)

Depending on the material and desired effect, different jobs will necessitate different types of laminators, either hot or cold.

For documents of up to 20 pages "Pouch laminators are used in width. This method works best for photographs, ID tags, and other similar-sized jobs.

If you want to process prints that are 20" to 60" wide and 1" thick, you'll need to use a roll laminator "in thickness.

Dry mounting is the most expensive of the three options because it requires the use of tissue adhesive as well as precise heat and pressure regulations, in addition to the time required to apply a substrate to the product. This technique necessitates the use of specialized machinery, which is commonly found in professional print shops.

Lamination (Cold)

Tape lamination is a cold method of adhering a protective plastic film to a printed image. After inserting a pre-wound, rolled cartridge of laminated film into the machine and inserting the document, the adhesives and print are pulled into the machine with two rollers after pressing a button or turning a hand crank. These are commonly used in the home, office, photo-finishing labs, and sign shops.

Finishes of Various Types

A laminated product can be finished in five different ways. The best finish for the job will depend on the type of effect you want to achieve.

Standard Clear creates a glossy finish + Satin reduces glare without frosting + Matte creates a slightly frosted finish + Crystal gives a granular texture + Scratch-resistant - hard finish for added durability

With the right tools, you can create a variety of high-quality products suitable for framing, posting, or inserting into a keepsake binding. Laminated documents are also more professionally protected when prepared for packaging if they must be transported via mailing or shipping services.

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14 Steps You Can Take to Prevent Identity Theft

 Identity Theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to assume that person's identity. The chances of being a victim of some form of identity theft are one in ten, according to the FTC. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Identity thieves pose as representatives of banks, lotteries, sweepstakes, internet service providers. They will try anything to get you to reveal your valuable information.

9.9 million people were victims of identity theft in 2002. Don't wait for it to happen to you.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, or FACTA, was enacted in the United States to protect consumers from identity theft and to aid in its prevention. FACTA ensures that all citizens are treated fairly when applying for a mortgage or other form of credit, and it entitles them to a free annual credit report to verify the accuracy of their credit report.

Identity Theft, which has become a major epidemic, occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to assume that person's identity. Misuse of a Social Security number, credit cards, mail fraud, scam, schemes, frauds, or any other form of misuse or abuse of a victim's identity is considered identity theft.

Although there is no guarantee that you will never be a victim, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Here is a list of 14 steps you can take to prevent or at least reduce the likelihood of its occurrence:

1. Manage your personal information with caution and a new awareness that identity theft can happen anywhere, at any time, and when you least expect it.

2. Inquire about security procedures at your workplace, doctor's office, or any other business or organization that collects relevant and personally identifying information as part of doing business or providing a service. Determine who has access to your personal information and ensure that it is kept secure. Inquire about their disposal procedures and whether or not your personal information will be shared with anyone else (namely third parties such as mailing list companies, marketing and survey companies, etc.).

3. Instead of providing your Social Security Number, ask if you can use alternative forms of identification. Only use your Social Security Number when absolutely necessary.

"Your chances of being a victim of some form of identity theft are one in ten," according to the Federal Trade Commission.

4. If you believe you have been victimized, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission right away. The FTC keeps a database of identity theft cases that law enforcement agencies can use to conduct investigations. Filing a complaint allows the FTC to learn more about identity theft and the problems that victims face. This information allows them to better assist you.

5. Carry only your identification and the number of credit and debit cards you intend to use. Extra cards should be kept in a safe place at home, a safety deposit box, or another secure location.

6. Never give out personal information over the phone, by mail, or over the internet unless you are absolutely certain you know and can trust the person with whom you are communicating. Caution: Before disclosing personal information, make certain that you are dealing with a legitimate company or organization. (If you have any doubts about an online communication, go to the organization's website by typing its URL into the address bar. When large corporations become aware of a scam involving their brand, they usually post an alert on their websites.)

Identity thieves frequently pose as representatives of banks, lotteries, sweepstakes, internet service providers, or other legitimate-sounding entities. They will try anything to get you to reveal your valuable information.

7. Call the Customer Service Department of companies or organizations with whom you do business using the number listed on your account statement or in the telephone book.

8. Never use passwords on your credit card, bank, or phone accounts.

9. Avoid using obvious information in your password, such as your mother's maiden name, birth date, a series of consecutive numbers, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number or phone number.

10. Keep track of your billing cycles. A missing bill could indicate that an identity thief has obtained it.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, 9.9 million people were victims of identity theft in 2002. Don't wait for it to happen to you.

11. Be wary of promotional scams or phony offers to obtain your personal information, such as lottery and sweepstakes entries that you have never entered and those that request a "administration" fee.

12. Never leave your purse or wallet in your personal clothes if your job requires you to wear special clothing to work. Always keep them in a secure location.

13. When reordering checks, pick them up at the bank rather than having them mailed to you.

14. Request a current credit report from one of the following major credit bureaus:

P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Equifax

To receive Fraud Alerts, call 800-525-6285.

P.O. Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013 Experian

To receive Fraud Alerts, dial 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

Trans Union: Chester, PA 19022, P.O. Box 1000

To receive Fraud Alerts, dial 800-680-7289.

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