What laminator and accessories to buy?

[amish]

Hello all.

I am looking to start making my own id's and badges and doing some other various other projects for myself. I am curious what does everyone recommend for a laminator. Please note, I do not have a lot of money to spend right now, but any suggestions expensive or cheap are welcomed.

As well, what are some techniques people use. I notice some id's are laminated, but do not have that 1/8" border. I would love to know how this is done. Also, what type of paper, laminates, plastic (Teslin) do people use. Also, some people who make this stuff told me they use plastic and spray glue with paper, anyone have any tips for this process?

In short, I am a complete novice when it comes to this area and would like to gain as much information as possible.

I should also note that I want to do this for my own personal use and have no intentions of profit or gain besides what I would do for myself or give to my friends.

Thanks for all the help.

Tom

 

[franz bolo]

Kinkos is what I used. It's kind of low end of course. Someone mentione they had a really good laminator.

FB

 

[RedTwoX]

I'd be interested in this information as well. I've found "card laminators" on ebay for as little as $9.99+shipping. What do you guess have to say about these? Good enough? Garbage? I know from personal experience to never buy a cheap airbrush. You are always better off saving up for a good one. Is this true of laminators, or will a $10 piece of equipment get the job with good results. I'm only interested in ID card sized lamination. I have no need for a $3500 piece of equipment that can laminate a blueprint or map.

All tips, information, and equipment suggestions appreciated.

Thanks to Amish for starting the thread :thumbsup

 

[lonepigeon]

Office Max sells small laminators and a couple different types of ID laminating pouches.
My friend had one and it worked really well.
They sell a lot of different ID lanyards, clips etc too.

 

[exoray]

I have tried cheap laminators and they work ok with light weight laminations... Move up to the thicker stuff and they start to fail...

I used to have 2 cheapy ones that I though were fine until I did a run of all access laminents for a band I work for and the cheap ones were tossed aside and a several hundred dollar model replaced them, and I won't look back...

This is the new model of mine Laminator

You can source it cheaper online... The more expensive ones like this get hot enough and will allow you to do foil transfers... You simply print the thing you want foiled with a laser printer then set a sheet of foil on it and run it through the laminator, the higher heat melts the laser toner again making it a glue and fusing the foil in those areas, then you brush the rest away

 

[amish]

Thank you guys.. Flynn, pretty cool information.

Thanks.

If anyone else has tips or even a tutorial, I am all ears

Tom

 

[amish]

Just wanted to give this my one and only bump before letting it drop off. If anyone can add anything, I am all ears.

Thanks again to all that answered.

Tom

 

[blufive]

Definately go with heat. The no-heat laminators do not produce great results.