Also called self-laminating, self-sealing, or cold laminating pouches, self-adhesive laminating pouches are made with specialized laminating film that does not use thermally-activated adhesive. Because they do not require the use of heat, self-laminating pouches can be sealed without a machine, making them an ideal choice for small laminating projects or for laminating documents in the field (without access to electricity). In this post, we’ll take a closer look at self-sealing laminating pouches and learn more about the unique benefits they offer.

The Basics

Unlike thermal laminating pouches, self-adhesive pouches do not need to be run through a pouch laminator in order to achieve a proper seal (although some machines feature a cold lamination setting that can aid in sealing the pouch, which is useful but not required). They do have a few similarities to thermal pouches, in that they require a border around the outer edge of the document to create a seal and that once the film is applied to the document it cannot be removed.

To apply a self-laminating pouch to your document, begin by placing your document face down in the pouch with the adhesive side on the top. Once the document is positioned properly, slowly roll the adhesive side onto the insert document, peeling the paper backing off as you go. Press the air bubbles out of the pouch using your finger tips, then press firmly around all edges to create a seal.

Benefits of Self-Adhesive Laminating Pouches

Laminating is an extremely popular and versatile way to protect and preserve documents of all types, but not every laminating project is worth investing in a laminator. If you’re only laminating a small number of items and don’t already own a thermal pouch laminator, then you’ll probably find that cold laminating pouches are the most economical option for your needs. In addition to being a machineless method of lamination, they are often sold in smaller quantites than thermal pouches, so they’re ideal for short runs. The per-pouch cost of self-sealing pouches is considerably more than that of standard pouches, but they’re still very reasonably priced (especially when compared to the cost of a laminator).

Another benefit of self-laminating pouches is that they’re easy to use and safe for all ages. They don’t rely on heat, so they’re an excellent choice for classroom use or other projects with children. They’re also great for on-site laminating, since transporting a pouch laminator is not always possible. Field representatives can laminate membership cards, product literature, or other business materials just about anywhere, without having to find an outlet or wait for the machine to warm up. Finally, cold pouches work well with heat-sensitive items (such as photographs) that could be damaged during the thermal laminating process.

In Review

Self-sealing pouches are a simple and effective way to laminate your documents without a laminator. Although they cost a bit more than standard pouches, they are an excellent option for small laminating projects because they don’t require the additional investment of a laminating machine. They’re also more portable than thermal pouches and safe for all ages, since there’s no heat or electricity involved in the laminating process. If you’re looking for a way to preserve and protect a few of your most important documents and photographs, create a set of personalized luggage tags, make identification badges to help represent your company at an upcoming event, or any other short run laminating project, then be sure to take a look at self-adhesive laminating pouches.

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