Laminating pouches - a guide

Laminating is an excellent way to preserve documents, photographs and paperwork. The majority of laminating pouches are used with laminating machines and provide a quick and convenient method of laminating important documents.

Laminating pouches consist of two sleeves that are sealed to make a pouch. You simply place the document in between the sleeves and insert the pouch into the laminating machine.

Alternatively, there are self-sealing laminating pouches that do not require the use of laminating machine.

To ensure the correct laminating pouches are used, consider the following three factors: size, thickness and type of finish required.

Size

Laminating machines are designed to laminate up to a maximum size. A machine capable of laminating up to A3, can laminate any size up to this including identification badge sizes, A4 and A3. A variety of paper sizes are available as laminating pouch sizes.

Thickness

The thickness of a laminating pouch is measured in microns (1 micron is 1000th of a millimetre), the higher the microns, the firmer the pouch. Products will state two measurements - the microns per side (as pouches are made up of two sleeves) and the total thickness (both sleeves). A thin pouch has a total thickness of 150 microns (75 microns per sleeve). This is presented as: 2 x 75 (150) microns. A medium pouch has a total thickness of 250 microns (125 microns per sleeve). This is presented as: 2 x 125 (250) microns. A thick pouch has a total thickness of 500 microns (250 microns per sleeve). This is presented as: 2 x 250 (500) microns.

Finish

In most instances, laminating pouches will have a gloss finish, however a matt finish is also available. This look may be more appropriate for professional documents, such as signage, reference materials, photos and menus.