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Posts: 8,574OK, I am being lazy :doh: ....usually I do my own research.....you all know this.....but I'm pooped and so many of you have already studied the issue lets draw on your expertise.....please?
Where did you all get your laminating machines....what am i looking at cost wise, are the plastic sleeves expensive....what else do I need to know?
Ricky thinks they are really really expensive 
but I have a hard time believeing that, knowing we would much rather buy fabric than spend money on one if we didn't think we needed to.
So......help an old lady out girls :)
:hug:
I use a Xyron laminator, which operates without heat or electricity, but with a hand crank. THey come in several sizes; as a scrapbooker, I have a large one, but you can get them much smaller. The "machine" costs nearly $100 in the size I have... much less in smaller sizes. The cartridges are easy to drop in and refill and frankly, despite the cost, I highly recommend this little gizmo. I use it to laminate my patterns, too... which means I can draw them onto anything, anywhere, and know they will be protected once I zip them thru my laminator at home.
I do think the self-stick laminating sheets you can buy, say five to a pack, are stiffer and more durable. More for luggage tags. The Xyron laminate is a bit softer and more flexible.
I think the school laminators are very expensive -- many hundreds -- and use some kind of heat/pressure system to adhere the plastics onto the paper. The laminating material itself is somewhat thinner, and glossier, than either the Xyron or the self-stick laminates. I know this from many years spent as a teacher's aide, and in grad school, student teaching. Kirsten, other teacher types... anything further to add on this?
For the money and convenience, I'd recommend the Xyron. You can get it at many craft stores -- Michael's, for example -- or online.
Jazzy RagsHaven't got one yet but the one i like is $300 aus dollars, wouldn't buy one to cheap wait and get a good one Dilu, from Fran
Back Road BearsDilu -
Here is what I have and I got mine from eBay too!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibico-9-HOT-Laminat … dZViewItem
I've had it for 3 years and absolutely no problems. You can get the sleeves on eBay too or an office supply store. It's a hot laminator, which I personally prefer because once through the laminator the plastic is clear, no bubbles and it will never come apart. I've had bad experiences with the cold ones. But Shelli's does sound good!
Daphne
I have to agree with Shelli on this one - Xyron's are the best! I am fortunate in that I convince my work that they "needed" a xyron 510 for a project we were doing. I just buy my own cartridges and use that. The 510 would be big enough Dilu and you can also use it for making magnets and as a general adhesive tool. Doesn't take up much room and no nasty heat to burn one's fingers on either!
But...in the early days, I used to buy the laminating patches and iron them closed - putting a teflon sheet between the laminating pouch and the iron. It worked a treat!
Delartful BearsWhat about cold laminate sheets??? They are like thick contact and work a treat. That's what I'm doing now since I saw Tammy's gorgeous tags!!
Danni
West Sussex, EnglandI'm kicking myself because when I sold all my cardmaking bits on ebay earlier this year to concentrate on bear making I sold my Xyron laminator as I hadn't used it much - now I want it BACK
I bought some A4 pouches from Tesco's which I can get 4 documents from but it's a pain. It means I have to get the iron out, disgusting word :mad:, but they do work.
I keep looking on ebay though for a bargain because the Xyron has to be a lot easier :)
Kate
x
Pandy Potter BearsSomeone suggested using clear packaging tape for tags and small patterns. A good cheap idea. It would be great to have a proper laminator though.
Kim-Bee BearsXyron is what I have.. i got it from walmart and that is where they have refills, it will do as wide as a regular piece of paper and however long you need it.... it is hand crank which I actually perfer - there is one where I work and you have to wait for it to heat up and if you put something in slighly crooked, it messes the whole thing up and I find that it gets bubbles too....
Michaels has Xyron too but they are smaller models...
Mine that I got from walmart was around $30 and it comes with a 5 or 7 foot starter cartridge too 
MerBear OriginalsI noticed a laminator at Walmart and it was $30 cdn. Been thinking about it.
Marion
Back Road BearsI have to defend my Ilbico...... heats up in 2 minutes, never feeds crocked or messes things up. And it's very reasonably priced. You can use any laminate sheets you want with it (ones for heat) so buy them anywere! And there is no place to get your fingers into so no burns. Very safe and affordable and user friendly. There IS something to be said for the lesser known brands!!
Kim-Bee BearsI think the one we have at work is old so that may explain the problems... I would like to have a heated laminator but I couldnt find one reasonably priced when I was looking
LuxembearsHi. I have two laminating machines. One is a larger machine called Ibico. I bought it at Office Max for less then $70.00 . This machine produces a high quality finish that we also use for laminating professional cattle photos for our farm business(you would not believe what goes into professional cow photography...requires a whole staff to do...) Using this machine for tags on bears works beautifully but it does require a paper carrier which comes with the machine. Very easy to use.
The other one is a smaller laminator that I bought from Hobby Lobby for $39.00 No carrier is needed. I just slip my bear tag right through..wella! Very easy with great results. The plastic sleeves are less than $3.00 for 100.
I have tried the self sticking laminator sheets and fine them to be awkward and not as nice. They have to be burnished by hand (hard rubbing to remove all air bubbles and create a super close contact with the surface). They are also flimsy.
I prefer heat laminating as it provides a nice sturdy tag for my bears.
Posts: 8,574WoW! Thanks guys-now I have an idea of what to look for and what to pay....I appreciate your input!
:hug: :hug: :hug:
Past Time BearsYes, Amanda . . . I use the packaging tape to 'laminate' my hang tags and it works a treat as the Aussies say. Of course, if you need to laminate larger items, it won't work so well.
Kim-Bee BearsI have done that also SueAnn
