How to Laminate Paper Without a Laminator
Do you ever need to laminate something but don’t have a laminator? Worried about how expensive it is to buy one or where to store it? Here is how to laminate paper without a laminator! After reading this post, you can laminate your documents in any place successfully. You can use household items such as scotch tape and contact lens solutions.
Other methods require more effort but yield better results when it comes to quality. Regardless of your chosen method, there’s no denying the convenience of making copies quickly and easily, even if there isn’t an office supply store nearby or a professional-grade machine available for purchase. Here are the steps:
What you’ll need:
1. Parchment Paper –
A sheet of parchment paper is thin enough to allow heat through and create an even seal on your document. It’s also reusable if it doesn’t get too much wear and tear.
2. Clean Cloth –
For cleaning off any residue left behind after removing the document from the oven
3. Wax Paper-
To protect your hands while assembling the sandwich with all three sheets of material in one hand and then in the other.
4. Aluminium Foil –
Useful in protecting your parchment paper and preventing the edges of your document from curling inwards while under heat pressure.
Directions: How to Laminate Paper Without a Laminator
Step 1:
Start by putting your parchment paper onto a flat surface. Then place your document in the center of it. Ensure all the edges are covered with at least 1/4 inch (about 3/8 to half an inch) of space on all sides. After this, you should fold one side over and press down until it sticks. Then do the same to the other side.
Step 2:
After you’ve done this, all that remains is covering your document with aluminum foil and baking it for 8 to 10 minutes (longer if you use a thicker document). If it isn’t 100 percent dry when you take it out of the oven, give it a little more time in the oven to make sure all moisture is evaporated.
Step 3:
After taking it out, let it cool for around 15 minutes or until it’s completely cooled down. Once this happens, then you can remove your document from the parchment paper and enjoy! Your document should now be stiffer and more durable.
3 Alternative Methods to Laminate Paper Without a Laminator:
1: Use a Hot Glue Gun and Aluminum Foil:
Take the paper that you want to laminate and cut out a square slightly bigger than the paper. Then, cut aluminum foil about an inch larger than this square on all sides. Next, put some hot glue in the center of your paper’s square and spread it around for less than a minute, ensuring the entire surface is covered with hot glue.
Now, take your aluminum foil and press it down on top of the paper to get the creases around the edges. Once this is done, pull off the aluminum foil; you should have a perfectly laminated piece of paper!
2: Use a Packing Tape Dispenser:
Take your packing tape dispenser lid off. Then, take your roll of packing tape and place it on the dispenser part you just removed. Next, cut a piece of aluminum foil about two inches larger than your paper on all sides.
Afterward, wrap the aluminum foil around the part where you usually put the packing tape into the dispenser. Finally, carefully put this contraption you just made back into the lid of your packing tape dispenser, roll up some packing tape around it, and remove it again. You will now have a perfectly laminated piece of paper!
3: Use Wax paper:
Take your sheet of wax paper and cut it to about half an inch larger than your desired size of laminated paper. Next, take your normal household iron and remove the water reservoir cap.
Turn the heat setting to medium heat. After this, place your wax paper on top of the spot you want to laminate. Then, place some heavy books on top of your wax paper. Finally, wait around 2 minutes and take off the books and wax paper. You should have a perfectly laminated piece of paper!
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to laminate paper, we recommend using Scotch Thermal Laminator Sheets. These pre-cut sheets are designed specifically for this purpose and make it super simple to get professional quality lamination at home or in the office.
All you have to do is peel off the protective backing from one side of your document, lay it face down on top of one sheet, align them perfectly together with a little tape across the seams, and then insert it into your machine as usual!
You can even save money by purchasing these thermal laminators online because they come in packs that allow you to use fewer materials while still getting plenty of coverage, great if you’re going through lots of documents quickly.
We hope this guide on laminating paper without a laminator has given you some valuable information that will help you succeed in your future projects!
Check out our article How to Make a Laminated Placemat
Elizabeth Davis
Elizabeth is a creative writer and digital editor based in the United States. She has a passion for the arts and crafts, which she developed from a young age. Elizabeth has always loved experimenting with new mediums and sharing her work with others. When she started blogging, she knew that DIYquickly would be the perfect platform to share her tutorials and tips. She's been writing for the blog from the beginning, and her readers love her helpful advice and easy-to-follow instructions. When she's not writing or editing, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
