Stop scouring the internet for the type of laminator you need. After years of industry-leading service, we’re sharing our little secrets with you. We’ve dug into the depths of our lamination machine research and are providing an all-encompassing guide which will explain exactly which laminator is the right fit for you.
Whether you’re searching for a personal machine or something that can knock out a print project for an entire school district, we’ll help you find the perfect machine.
First things first, what type of lamination machine are you looking for?
With high-volume projects, you want a roll laminator, which uses two rolls of film to quickly laminate projects varying in size from postcards to massive posters. With a roll laminator, you can choose from two different formats: thermal laminators and cold laminators.
Thermal lamination relies on heat-activated adhesive which envelopes the paper to create a sturdy cover, safe from the elements. It is typically the cheaper route of lamination and frequently referred to as “hot roll.
Pouch laminators are smaller, more affordable type of thermal lamination, and very easy to use because all you have to do is place the document into specially-designed laminating pouches and send it through the machine.
“Cold roll” laminators are also called pressure-sensitive laminators. Pressure-Sensitive lamination is the choice you’d make if you had important documents that could be ruined by heat. Cold roll laminators range from simple two roller systems, manual crank machines and highly articulate machinery with adjustable roller pressure and other features.
Okay, now that you know the type of laminating machine that you need, let’s dive into the best-ranking superlatives of lamination machines. High School superlatives beware, we’re getting real
The Phoenix 2700-DHP is the best everyday roll laminating machine because it’s economical, easy-to-use, and compact. It was designed to be flexible, allowing people to use either 1” or 2 1/4” core laminating films in thicknesses of 1.5 mil to 10 mil. It can laminate documents up to 27” wide and has a reverse feature for removing jams and cleaning rollers.
This laminator was built to withstand a ton of use while keeping both energy and safety in mind. It has an advanced safety shield, a safety feed table, and a standby mode. To save energy, the machine automatically drops into sleep mode (maintaining 175 degrees Fahrenheit) after half an hour. After being idle for two hours, the heaters will turn off completely.
The Akiles ProLam Ultra 13” Photo Laminator beat out all other pouch laminators to be named best everyday pouch laminator machine for a few reasons. The machine combines superior quality and functionality with commercial-grade design. The heating system contains six rollers to create professional, clear results without bubbles. With a large, 13″ opening, the machine can laminate a considerable variety of pouch sizes and thicknesses.
This machine also has a large LCD. The display allows you to set the correct temperature and speed, and it has up to seven preset memory settings, so you don’t have to type in the same specifications over and over again. Similar to the Phoenix 2700-DHP, it has a safety cover and an automatic shutoff to prevent overheating and prolong the life of the machine. The safety cover is detachable, allowing you to access the rollers without the need for tools. Akiles has even included its patented internal cooling system to ensure the laminator is cool to the touch while in use.
If you’re looking for a larger model that can handle the type of projects for a school or office, but you can’t break the bank, look no further than the Phoenix 2700-DH Education Model. With most good school and office laminators, people can expect to spend anywhere from $1,300 to $2,000.
At $1,405, the Phoenix 2700-DH is the best laminating machine on the lower end of that spectrum while still containing some of the better features found on higher priced models. With a chain & sprocket drive, as well as a heavy-duty 24V DC motor, you can expect this machine to be able to handle high-volume production with superior performance. It’s an excellent price for an easy-to-use model that can still take on many projects without breaking down.
Are you looking for a pouch laminator that is both affordable and can still produce high-quality results? The Tamerica/Tashin TCC330 is just that. This laminating machine comes in at under $200, and it still has four rollers that can work with films up to 10 mil thick and documents up to 13” wide. You can adjust the temperature control, which is a rarity in cost-effective laminators. Plus, it has a quiet motor, making it perfect for an office.
Other machines of this caliber can run from $200 to $1,300. So if you’re looking to save money, this could be the perfect pouch laminator for you.
We have to be honest with you. Squeezing a roll laminator into a tight corner of your office is like trying to shove your new couch into a compact car. Maybe you’ll get it to work, but driving is going to be super uncomfortable. That’s why we aren’t recommending a roll laminator for a tight space, but check out the pouch laminator below to make operations cozy for everyone.
You’ve already met this incredible machine, but the Tamerica/Tashin TCC330 is not only affordable but also a fantastic machine for small spaces. Its dimensions come in at only 22”x12”x8”, meaning it can easily fit on a table or a desk. And because the manufacturers designed it for continuous operation, it can handle scalable projects without overheating, so you won’t have to worry about sacrificing production for space.
When you’re working with large materials, like placemats, trade-show graphics, banners, or rigid displays, then you need a machine that can keep it moving without breaking down.
The best laminating machine for such projects is the Phoenix 4400-DHP. This roll laminator can accept materials up to 44” wide, mount substrates up to a quarter-inch thick, and run 1.5 to 10 mil films and pressure-sensitive adhesive. And it runs at a speed of up to 8 feet per minute. Based on these qualities, this laminator is ideal for digital wide format output and perfect for any large project you’re producing!
If you’re looking for a pouch laminator that can handle bigger projects, check out the Akiles ProLam Ultra XL 18.9 inches. The 18.9” opening allows you laminate with extra-large pouches, while the machine itself has a 6-roller system that produces bubble-free pouches every single time.
This commercial-grade machine can laminate anything from business card-sizes to 18”x24” pouches, making it easy to accomplish your goals. It is also capable of handling up to 14 mil pouches, giving you a maximum laminating thickness of an eighth an inch.
Cold roll laminators, like this GFP 230C Pressure Sensitive Laminator, are used to handle heat-sensitive documents, such as faxes, photos, or inkjet-printed documents. Such laminators use a particular type of laminate, referred to as PSA film. The Pressure Sensitive Adhesive can be acrylic or a rubber based adhesive. The standardized adhesive varies based on the application of the film.
The GFP 230C Pressure Sensitive Laminator is the best laminator for your heat-sensitive projects, no matter the size. It can laminate items up to 30” wide, and you can mount prints on boards up to half an inch. This cold roll laminator is perfect for completing projects quickly, and it includes a stand and foot switch to keep things smooth. The main benefits of a foot switch are to free up both hands for working with the print and to choose when the rollers are turning. When a machine is switched to “run,” the rollers are in continuous motion. This can waste roll film if you do not always have the next print ready to be fed. The foot switch allows you to activate the rollers with your foot and handle prints with both hands so you are not constantly switching the run switch off and on.
Alas, as much as we would love to recommend a pouch laminator for sensitive materials, we don’t want to steer you in the wrong direction. As good pouch laminators primarily operate using heat, we don’t want to recommend something that could damage any heat-sensitive projects! Plus, cold pouches don’t provide a long-lasting laminate finish (yet).
Well, well, well, we meet again! The Phoenix 2700-DH seems to be hitting a lot of points on this year’s buyers’ guide, but we can’t help ourselves. This machine was made to be easy to use, as well as affordable. What makes it so easy to use? We’re glad you asked!
The laminator has a quick warm-up time of just 20 minutes, and it has an auto standby feature that keeps the machine warmed up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour (after two hours, it shuts off). It has three controls — the power switch, a knob for controlling the speed, and a reverse feature should anything get stuck. The feed tray has paper guides for standard paper sizes, making it easy for you to guide your project through. Lastly, with the standard widths marked on the supply shaft, you never have to worry about misaligning your laminate rolls.
When you’re seeking an easy-to-use pouch laminator, don’t look much further than our pick for both “Penny Pincher’s Choice” and “Top Machine for Tight Offices.” The Tamerica/Tashin TCC330 can be used to laminate just about any small- or medium-sized item while also featuring an adjustable temperature and a 5-minute warm-up time. Plus, it provides you with a graph to help determine what temperature setting will work best for your project.
The best pouch laminator for user-friendliness also has some additional features that will make your life easier. With four silicon rollers, it distributes heat evenly to give you a smooth lamination. The Tamerica/Tashin TCC330 also has an illuminated ready light, so you don’t have to guess.
Rounding out the Phoenix 2700-DH’s best features, we’ve also given it the award for “Best Laminator for Simple Repairs.” Fixing a laminator can be a hassle, and no one wants to call a manufacturer to find out what’s going on. Luckily, when the machine is easy to clean and includes important safety features, performing preventative maintenance is a breeze.
Because the Phoenix 2700-DH includes safety latches on the feed tray, as well as a safety shield to prevent the unit from running when it’s detached, fixing this machine never has to be a cause for danger. The device itself also has a reverse mode which allows you to remove buildup from previous projects and helps avoid jams, which can lead to major maintenance jobs.
The Tamerica TCC-330 13” goes home with four awards — it’s that good a laminator. With an all-metal casing, metal gears, and a four-roller system, it’s durably built and meant to provide smooth lamination without any bubbles. So you shouldn’t need to make any repairs for a long time.
But if you do need to make some repairs, its anti-jam mechanism is there to help should anything get stuck in the process of laminating. All you have to do to clean the machine is to wipe the jam release lever with a soft cloth.
Choosing the right laminator for your project can be a daunting task since there are so many options available. If you haven’t found the best one for your needs in this list, then check out our ever-evolving lamination inventory here. Maybe you’ve found the machine and now are looking for laminating supplies- check out our stash here.
After over twenty years of working with these machines, we know we can help you find the right one—even if it hasn’t made our list. Ready to get shopping? Let’s find your perfect machine, together!
