Can I laminate things using an iron instead of a laminating machine?

Question

If I wanted to laminate some card using some laminating pouches such as these:

http://www.ryman.co.uk/Ryman-A4-Laminating-Pouches-Pack-25-150-Micron-1503030460.asp

Could I just an iron to do so instead of one of those machines specifically designed for laminating things?

Answer 1

Yes you can.

Insert the item into the pouch and place on a firm surface on your ironing board, I use a piece of mountboard, this stops the film buckling as you iron. Then place a piece of cartridge or similar weight paper on top of the laminate 'sandwich' and using a hot iron with no steam keep the iron moving until the lamination is complete - just lift the top paper to check.

Answer 2

You could give it a go. Make sure the pouch is covered by some thin card though to avoid over heating and iron in circles from the centre.

Answer 3

Yes, you can. I used to do it "back in the day".

I used a folded piece of construction paper and aluminum foil. It would put the aluminum foil on the inside and fold it all inside the construction paper.

You have to be careful about over or under heating the card, but with practice it will work.

Answer 4

In thoery yes. Move it around as the other answerer said. On a laminating machine, the heat settings are critical specifically to the thickness of the paper/card also so you may need to practice it.

Answer 5

Please don't accept hearsay.  Find out the real answer for yourself.  Use the "Freephone" number at the bottom of the page.  Ask someone who really knows this particular product.  He or she may suggest another brand or may say you're fine with this one.  It'll probably work, yes, but you don't want to risk what you're laminating (or your iron) to a "probably."

Answer 6

try it and see what happends