Lamination of paper documents is one of the most effective methods to keep them in their original form and protect them from damage. For this, special office equipment, called the laminator, is used, and a similar product can be purchased both for office use and for home use. With the help of such equipment, it becomes possible to laminate various commemorative papers, for example, children's drawings, photographs, letters of thanks and so on.
Due to the fact that this is not a very popular technique, not all users are aware of what exactly should be paid attention to when choosing and buying it. Therefore, before you purchase a laminator, you should familiarize yourself with some useful information that will help you when choosing equipment. Let’s start with this, and in the future we will go on to analyze the characteristics of the most popular models.
Summary of the rating:
What indicators are most important when buying a laminator?
At the first stage, the user should decide on a number of key parameters. First of all, it is established which material will be most often laminated - plain paper, photo paper, cardboard and so on. The largest possible format is also important. The product can be equipped with various additional functions - glossy, matting, reverse and so on.
If the laminator is purchased for home use, then it is not too difficult to choose. It is quite enough to buy a fairly simple model that will be controlled with just one key. The most optimal for the home will be a batch laminator, equipped with both heating plates and hot shafts. The presence of a temperature controller in this device is not necessary. It is best to give preference to a product with a mechanical control - such models are quite effective in operation, but are much cheaper. An electronically controlled product is easier and more convenient to use, but it will be quite expensive.
Be sure to pay attention to the body of the device - it should not only look attractive, but also not heat up during operation. This will make the equipment safer and protect the user from burns. Not a bad option - a laminator that has the function of automatic shutdown: after a while, a simple one it will turn off the power and go into sleep mode. Budget models in their work use a film whose thickness is in the range from 80 to 125 microns. This value will be quite enough to protect the document from moisture, dust and dirt, but paper may suffer from mechanical influences.
You should not buy a roll-type laminator for home use - such products will be useful for regular use. These models have many settings that greatly complicate the work. In addition, such products require constant maintenance and are of high cost.
Choosing a laminator for use in office environments is much more difficult. The main rule here is not to save money.A cheap model will quickly fail or simply not be able to cope with the functions assigned to it. Most organizations prefer batch laminators. Roll designs will be most useful to printers who constantly have to work with large runs and decent formats. The reverse function will be very useful, because during operation, the paper may wrap around the shaft, causing the material to deteriorate, or the technique itself will fail. Using reverse, you can remove a document from the work area without ruining it and preserving the operability of the equipment.
For small companies, the most suitable product is the one equipped with the function of internal shaft heating. This equipment is capable of working around the clock. In the past few years, devices with the option of cold lamination, which is ideal for working with non-standard formats, are gaining wide popularity. Office models should be equipped with a relay responsible for temperature control, since it is necessary to work with a film of various thicknesses.
When compiling our rating of the best laminators in 2019, we took into account all these factors, paid attention to user reviews and the price-quality ratio of the device. We hope that after a careful study of the article, you will be able to choose the most suitable product for yourself.
Products for home use
5. DELI E3894-EU
The laminator is designed by one of the largest Chinese stationery manufacturers. The company offers customers a universal design, which is positioned as a reliable office equipment, largely due to the fact that the equipment can work with paper sizes up to A3. The number of shafts is minimal, the power indicator is average, and the price is low. This suggests that such a technique is best used at home or in a small office with up to five employees. Judging by the operating characteristics, this equipment is pretty good at curing a sheet of A3 format or less, however, the thickness of the material should be no more than 0.6 mm, in other words, it will not work with cardboard. The thickness of the laminating film can range from 60 to 200 microns, so that the document will acquire a rather high density.
The product heats up pretty quickly - after turning on, it takes about three minutes, it has a reverse function. The model looks pretty attractive, can work with all types of documents. The case is made of reliable plastic, which does not heat up during use. No more than 10 sheets of A3 format are allowed to be rolled per day, otherwise the device will trigger overheating protection.
Benefits:
- Attractive price;
- It can work with large and non-standard formats;
- After switching on, it is ready for direct use in three minutes;
- Suitable for a small office.
Disadvantages:
- It is allowed to laminate no more than 10 sheets daily.
4. Office Kit L2305
Initially positioned as office products, located in the middle price segment. The device is quite compact and easy to use, but with its help you can perform a decent amount of work in a short time, and the quality level will not decrease at all. This device has all the necessary certificates, is completely safe to use. When using a film, the thickness of which is in the range from 75 to 125 microns. There is a function of cold lamination - in this case it will be necessary to use a special film on an adhesive basis. On the front panel there are LED indicators - turned on and ready to go. This is quite convenient, as the user immediately understands when to start the process. If the material is jammed, the device can be disassembled and easily fixed.The film is superimposed very evenly, all the signs in Russian are just to understand the operation of the device.
Cold lamination is intended for materials that are very sensitive to the effects of temperature, for example, these include ordinary store receipts. The second and third modes are used for hot lamination, they differ from each other by film thickness and temperature conditions. Sealing does not occur around the edges, but over the entire area of the sheet, so the finished product can be cut with scissors if necessary. The productivity of the model is average - it heats up to working condition for five minutes, and a sheet of standard A4 format takes about one minute.
Benefits:
- Decent work speed;
- The ability to use various materials;
- Wide range of thickness of the laminating film;
- Several modes of operation.
Disadvantages:
- During heating there is a faint odor;
- Short support legs, due to which the device to prevent overheating should be placed on the stand.
3. Geha A4 Basic
In third place in this section of our ranking of the best laminators is a compact model that is perfect for home use. Working with this equipment is very easy and convenient. It warms up one for three to five minutes, there are two modes of operation - hot and cold lamination. The thickness of the material can use a film with a thickness of 80 to 100 microns. There is a special button on the rear panel that allows you to stop the rollers if you need to remove the sheet. The cooling mode is not provided here, so it will not be possible to use it for a long time, but for home conditions its continuous operation time is quite enough. The case is made of white opaque plastic, it does not get dirty for a long time, dust, stains and fingerprints will not be visible on it. An LED indication is provided - during warm-up, it lights up in red, when the laminator is ready for use, it turns blue.
The rolling speed is the same regardless of the thickness of the material used. On the left side there are legs for vertical installation. As users note in their reviews, it is not very convenient to laminate in this position, they are more likely to be stored more, since the device will occupy much less free space. Power consumption is low - it is only 265 watts. The equipment is able to work with photographs that are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures.
Benefits:
- Compact overall dimensions;
- Uniform speed and heating of the film;
- Long term warranty service - 2 years.
Disadvantages:
- There is no cooling system;
- The reverse function is not provided: if the material is jammed, it will have to be removed manually.
2. GLADWORK jLAM Full
Products of the batch type, which is designed for operation both at home and in small offices. Its overall dimensions and weight are small, so the device can be easily moved from one place to another and work with it where it is most comfortable. The product is characterized by attractive appearance, the case is made of high-quality heat-resistant plastic with a matte finish. The assembly is excellent, there are no gaps between the body parts, there are no backlashes and extraneous creaks. The product has a long period of operation, and during this time the quality of the finished product will be at its best. At the bottom of the laminator there is a control panel, thanks to which the user can select one of five modes of use and start the work.
The device heats up to operating temperature in record time - in just one minute, it supports both hot and cold lamination.The system is based on four working shafts, thanks to which documents and other papers are laminated very high quality, the heating temperature is maintained at the same level. The power of the device is high - it is 850 W, due to this a high speed of material passage is achieved, which reaches 300 mm per minute. The laminator is very reliable, it is quite easy to understand all its functions. It is able to work with films with a thickness of 60 to 250 microns.
Benefits:
- High speed of heating and work;
- Good quality finished products;
- Insignificant overall dimensions;
- Long period of operation.
Disadvantages:
- It is more expensive compared to peers.
1. Fellowes Lunar + A4
It has a small weight - only 1.2 kg, overall dimensions are also small, especially since this device is designed to work with formats not exceeding A4. The equipment is quite simple to use, it is very easy to understand. There is only one key - inclusion. After turning on the network, a red indicator lights up, indicating that the unit has started heating. According to the specifications declared by the manufacturer, this takes about 5 minutes, but in fact this time is shorter - you have to wait almost 4 minutes. When the product is warmed up, the green light comes on, you can get to work. The shafts rotate quite slowly, so you have to wait a while. The thickness of the used film is in the range from 75 to 130 microns.
On the case there is another control element, which is a small lever. It is used so that it is possible to spread the shafts to remove the document with the film. In the manufacture of this laminator, the latest ClearPath technology is used, which ensures the most accurate feed direction. About 20 sheets of maximum format can be passed through the device per day. This is enough for use not only at home, but also within a small office.
Benefits:
- Quite acceptable cost;
- Simple device;
- Good workmanship and assembly;
- Long service life;
- Unpretentiousness in service.
Disadvantages:
- During warming, a faint odor appears.
Laminators for business
5. Pingda PD FM-360
Industrial roll type laminator for desktop installation. It is used both for bilateral, and single-sided lamination on hot and cold technology. The maximum width of the film is 360 mm, it is located on the inch sleeve. This model is perfect for copy shops and printers. Two silicone shafts with manual pressure are supplied with the device, and there is also a knife so that you can cut off the finished product. The maximum roll diameter is 340 mm. The speed is very high, so you can work with large volumes. The design provides special holders for a film of increased length, there is a function to turn off the heating of the shaft located below.
The device was developed by a company that specializes specifically in the manufacture of laminators, which already speaks of the high quality of products and quite reasonable cost. The film passes at a speed of up to 1.8 m per minute, perfectly adheres to the surface of the finished product, it does not cause bloating, wrinkles and wrinkled areas. The equipment occupies a minimum of free space, consumables are inexpensive: they will cost much cheaper compared to packet films. The product is quite complex, so you have to train a special person to work with him.
Benefits:
- Perfect quality;
- High speed;
- Long service life.
Disadvantages:
- It’s difficult to work with the device, this will require a specialist.
4. GBC Fusion 5000L
Despite the fact that this product belongs to the office group, it works on a batch basis. The maximum product format is A3, the laminator is well suited to perform large volumes of work.It has a large number of useful functions, which allows you to get the highest quality products in a short period of time. The unit has compact overall dimensions, it warms up in a record time for industrial equipment - in just one minute. One document of maximum format will be ready in just 20 seconds after downloading to the device. The design can work with a film, the thickness of which is in the range from 75 to 250 microns.
The thickness of the package is determined automatically, after which the device independently sets the optimal settings, including speed and heating temperature. On the front panel there is a liquid crystal control panel. If necessary, you can manually switch the thickness of the package. If the package was not loaded correctly, the laminator will emit a corresponding sound signal and automatically turn on the reverse function. The system includes 4 shafts, an output tray is provided. A countdown sensor is installed, and an audio signal will indicate that the next batch can be loaded into the equipment. After half an hour, the downtime turns off on its own.
Benefits:
- Attractive appearance, the case does not heat up during operation;
- High heating rate and speed;
- Long service life;
- It does not take up too much free space and allows you to save space in the office.
Disadvantages:
- A little expensive.
3. Fellowes Proteus A3
This device was originally designed for intensive use in industrial production - its maximum load exceeds 100 sheets of A3 format daily. The device operates on the basis of a system of 6 shafts, and four of them are heated using special built-in infrared elements. Despite the fact that the equipment appeared on sale a very long time ago, it is still one of the best both in user reviews and in terms of price and quality. Heating occurs as evenly as possible, if necessary, you can set the most accurate settings for temperature and speed of passage of products through the shafts. The product can work with a batch laminating film with a thickness of 75 to 250 microns.
High performance is achieved thanks to a very quick warm-up of equipment, this takes less than one minute, and up to one meter of paper can be passed through the shafts per minute. It uses CleanPath technology, so documents are captured exactly, which prevents them from jamming. The equipment interface is very clear, the operator does not need to have special skills to work with it. Warranty period is two years. The manufacturer recommends using branded consumables to increase the life of the device.
Benefits:
- Good speed
- Unique six-shaft system;
- Evenly warms up due to infrared sources.
Disadvantages:
- One of the most expensive designs in the review.
2. GMP Photonex-SYNC 235
Another batch laminator, which, according to most user reviews, can be attributed to the semi-professional class. The equipment is located in a carbon-plastic housing, which is practically not heated during operation. In addition, there is a forced ventilation system, thanks to which it is possible to reliably protect equipment from overheating. However, the continuous operation of the device is 4 hours, after which it will need a short break lasting about 40 minutes. The material and film heating system is the same as the previous model: hot shafts, inside of which infrared emitters are built-in.The device works perfectly with all types of paper, their thickness can reach 3 mm, the thickness of the film used does not matter.
The design is equipped with digital step-by-step regulators of feed rate and heating temperature. The panel also has keys for calling up the programmed functions. The product automatically controls the temperature of the shafts through a special sensor. After prolonged downtime, the product goes into standby mode, therefore, all internal elements wear out rather slowly, and economical energy consumption is also ensured. The equipment heats up for 3-4 minutes, its power is 870 watts - the average for an office device.
Benefits:
- Heat-resistant, non-heating carbon fiber housing;
- Long term of operation;
- High quality finished products.
Disadvantages:
- Except for the high price, not found.
1. Bulros FGK-320S
In the first place of our review of the best laminators was another batch model with excellent value for money. Due to the fact that the thing is not too expensive, it will not work to use it on a truly industrial scale. However, it is perfect for a photo studio, a small printing house and a copy center. The design can work with materials whose thickness does not exceed 2 mm. The body of the product is metal. It is designed in such a way that you can easily access inside to inspect the technical condition of the hot shafts, of which there are four. On the front panel there is a liquid crystal display, on which the operating temperature is displayed, there are indicators indicating the inclusion and readiness for use, activation of the reverse.
Such a tool is suitable for the use of consumables, the thickness of which can be in the range from 60 to 250 microns. The laminator warms up for 3 minutes, the speed of the sheets is 560 mm per minute. The equipment works very reliably, it is very simple to use, so you do not have to prepare a special person. The case heats up quite a lot during operation, despite the fact that there is a cooling system, so you need to be as careful as possible.
Benefits:
- Reasonable cost;
- Long service life;
- Good speed
- May use a variety of materials.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for large-scale production.
Finally, a useful video
Well, our review of the best laminators of 2019, designed for use both at home, in the office or even in production, has come to its end. We hope that you were able to choose the most suitable product for yourself, which will become optimal during use. If you still have some questions, or want to share your experience with this equipment, then welcome to comment. We will be happy to answer questions, and your information will certainly be useful to our readers.
(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
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