Laminator suggestions?

[LongTallDrink]

I'm coming to the realization that even though much of our education at this stage is in either book or electronic form, I'm going to have to purchase a laminator for more hands-on learning opportunities. Any suggestions from those of you who have already gone this route?

[mother of faith]

Are you laminating for water proof issues or for other issues. I find that laminating items has become expensive. I bought a cold/hot laminator at our local Wal-mart and i love it but the sheets to go with it are more expensive then I can afford right now. Even contact paper is running our lives. So I have found that I like using Decoupage. It is a glue that is clear that you brush on, it dries hard and glossy, and it is water proof.
If you plan on laminating a lot of stuff and stuff bigger then a regular sheet of paper then an industrial laminator is your key. The ones like most schools have. There is a cold process and a hot process. I use my cold process laminator for safety issues around my kids, but the hot process works better. I think you can go to schooldiscountsupplies.com something on that lines for a heavy duty laminator that has the lamianting film on a huge roll. i worked with a school laminator for years and loved it but they get extremely hot to the touch sometimes. When purchasing one look to see what temperature they reach, and check to see how expensive the film is. I know the one at school costed over a 100.00 for one roll of laminate.

Just one more question have you thought about sheet protectors that have the closure at the top of them, of course they can be expensive as well.

[LongTallDrink]

How appropriate that you are the first to respond, Mother of Faith! I had thought about getting a laminator some time ago, but dismissed the idea because of the prohibitive cost. Your posts on lapbooking made me rethink the idea. I'm going to my parent's cottage this week with ma puce and wanted to take along all the bits to put together a Good Night Moon lapbook since she loves the book and we discovered it last year at that library. After looking at the resources and watching the video, I thought it might be best to do what that mom did and laminate most of the hands-on bits. Not necessary, I realize, but if the thing is a hit and played with every day, the cost of reprinting bits could well outrun the laminating fees.

What do you use to "découpage"? Do you use it on full sheets? Even on small items, how do you stop it from curling at the edges? Découpage was traditionally used to laminate things like paper to other thicker objects like wood, so curling wasn't an issue. I'm not sure how to use it as an independent page/paper object protector.

I have used sheet protectors that I already had lying about for some things, but they are expensive and not appropriate for small manipulatives.

Thanks for your input - more grist for the mill.

[nhockaday]

I agree. I bought a laminator last year to laminate the many flash cards that I have acquired. It is just cheaper to get things laminated at your local teacher supply store unless you buy the pouches in bulk. This is the site that I use to buy in bulk, and as you can see, they are still pricey (but much cheaper than buying small amounts at the store or ebay). http://www.oregonlam.com/ They have the best prices that I have found.

[LongTallDrink]

Thanks nhockaday, I'll have to look into what's available that way in this neck of the woods.

[mother of faith]

I use a sponge brush or a cheap goat hair big brush. If you watch how much that you put on at one time is the key. Apply a small amount allow to dry then apply a second coat allow to dry completly then place wax paper over the sheet then place a heavy book on top.

I use decoupage all the time, and differnet methods work better for differnet grades of paper. If I forget to print on cardstock I will glue the regualr thin paper onto card stock then deco. then cut out the item. That way it makes it even sturdier, and if it does curl it is cut off. Some say to pour the deco on to the paper then smooth out but to be honest it causes curling, plus if you use the deco like i do for glueing the regular paper onto cardstock I have to allow the glue to dry in between the pages before i can deco on top of the page. also the humidity in the room has a lot to do with it as well.

Also if you use markers or use a color printer you need to allow the ink to dry for 24 hours before applying the deco, the ink will smear and run.

Oh and if you want to work on texturing the book for the feel sensory effect, take a paper towel and tap the wet deco, or you can use a different brush.

You need a brush that isn't to soft, but not to firm, soft on the edge but firmer at the top, a have used a sponge brush but it can cause smearing if you don't have enough deco on your brush.

On homeschoolshare they have a file folder game (lapbook) on good night moon for free.
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/b4_resources_goodnight_moon.php

[Joanna07]

I found good inexpensive laminator on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F0DXLS/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

and laminating pouches, the price is great, I'm planing to buy 1000 pouches, i'm not sure how long this great deal will last
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006VZAZS/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

[mother of faith]

if it is a cold lamination process I have had my pages to come apart after a lot of use.

[BellaEdward]

Cold laminators aren't as long term as hot laminators. If you're only laminating flash cards, a 4-6 inch laminator may be all you need. These are two good laminators.

PL4A

http://www.officezone.com/pl4a.htm

This one is good for 11-inch paper:

PL12A

http://www.officezone.com/pl12a.htm

For a complete list, I found my laminator here. There are some good cheap models if you're only laminating a few things here and there.

http://www.officezone.com/lamp.htm

[LongTallDrink]

Thank you all for your suggestions and especially Mother of Faith for your detailed deco description. Another month or two with the flylady and I should have enough cleared surfaces to start using that method effectively. Do you buy your goop from an art supply store?

I probably will end up getting a laminator as soon as I can free up some $$$ for it, but for right now I'm going to try using some clear con-tact paper my mom gave me. Can't beat the price...

[LongTallDrink]

Oh yes, MofF - I found that Goodnight Moon site through another of your posts, I think. That's what started me off on the lamination question. I love this lapbook idea - thanks!

[nhockaday]

You're not in America, are you? If you are, BigLots has contact paper for really cheap.

[mother of faith]

If you are in America then I buy my deco at Walmart but www.dickblick.com has it I think in large quanities.

Thanks BellaEdward good idea.
Thanks nhockaday that's where I can look next for journal covers.

[nhockaday]

I bought a 9 ft roll of contact paper at BigLots for $2! That's like a fourth of what it cost at wal-mart! They have it in the home improvement section where they keep the shelf liners.

[saniso]

What exactly is clear contact paper?  I asked a lady at Walmart and she said it is the plastic cling wrap/saran wrap. Is that right?

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