Laminators are expensive... Until I had the money
to purchase one I used this method (still do sometimes)
it works and is easy to do. This is geared toward thermal prints....but works with anything really.
Requirements-
1. Nice big flat table.
2. The Solution - I use a solution of Ivory Dish Soap, Water and sometimes
Denatured Alcohol, I do not consider this application fluid, it’s a repositionable fluid. (DO NOT USE RAPID TAC) We want to delay the grab. Extra Soap is a must.
How I mix it...I pour just enough soap to cover the bottom of the spray bottle completely then fill with water letting the suds float out completely. I add alcohol depending on the temp and humidity. The first time you do this you may want a little more soap in it.
3. 16” or bigger screen printers squeegee...
4. The Laminate - I use either Avery A6 clear or Avery A8. - the later being a bit more tricky to handle. Avery stuff is proven, I have been using it since I had a Summa Chrome. I have yet to see any degradation, separation or adhesion trouble with it, including fading
Cut your lam to the correct size for the print. Flip it over and peel the liner off.
with the liner completely removed, spray it liberally with "The Solution"
I like to keep the print rolled, and release it so it rolls into place on the lam. I little practice and you can get it straight, if you need to adjust it do so, that's what "The Solution" allows you to do.
I then flip it over completely - give it a squirt to lube the squeegee and not leave any marks with it.
Done. I sometimes hang the just laminated prints up to let any fluid dry.
You'll be surprised how fast the clear tacks to the printed vinyl. I have on many occasion moved it right off the table and into the plotter to cut contours with out any issues. I have done things as big as 48 x 144 this way.....
Note - using this method with Summa's hp vinyl with the synthetic liner is super easy. It's a bit tougher to do with any paper backed vinyl ( for obvious reasons ) - but can still be done.
~Muts