So going with the cold machine could end up costing you a bit more in the long run.
Why does a laminator have a cold setting.
Hot laminators use a heat activated adhesive that is heated as it passes through the laminator.
Cold laminators use a pressure sensitive adhesive that does not need to be heated.
As a result cold lamination requires specially designed laminating pouches containing sticky adhesive which do not require heat.
A release liner protects the adhesive until it ready to applied typically on a cold roll laminator.
The downside to hot laminators is that some items for example some photographs can not handle the heat required to apply the lamination.
With a hot device you need to usually set speed and temperature settings as well as worry about the thickness of your materials.
The size of your materials will play a part because you ll need a roll laminator to process large items such as posters.
At the same time a laminating machine distributes more pressure more evenly.
Most laminators have cold and hot lamination settings to provide maximum flexibility.
Something you absolutely must think about before getting a laminator is what you plan on laminating.
Cold lamination is your best option when laminating heat sensitive documents or photos.
What you re going to be laminating.
Most cold machines can be operated just by inserting your document into the feed opening and then cranking the handle.
In general cold lamination is much easier than thermal processing.
You can seal a document with your hand a ruler or credit card.
That s where the cold setting on your machine comes in handy.