Choosing the Right Laminating Pouch

Do you have documents to protect from weather, fingerprints, and everyday use? Do you have business cards, menus, and identification cards that need to be laminated but maybe you aren’t sure what to use? Laminating pouches are your answer! Laminating pouches are a type of film used to protect and shieldbusiness cards, restaurant menus, reports, covers, luggage tags, photographs, scrapbooks, and signs. They are sold pre-cut and vary in size, shape, and thickness.

The two primary considerations when purchasing a laminating pouch are the size of your document and the degree of protection needed. In general a laminating pouch should be about ¼” larger than your document in width and length, so that the edge is 1/8″ long for proper sealing. The thickness of the film determines the amount of protection that the document will have and its final inflexibility. A film that measures between 1.5 and 3 mil offers maximum flexibility and provides protection against smudges and everyday wear and tear. 5 mil films prevent creasing and shredding of the document but will give more rigidity and less flexibility. The final category of 7 to 10 mil film will give the most protection and least flexibility. This is ideal for important documents that are handled daily and vulnerable to the most damage.  Laminating pouches are available in glossy or matt depending on the desired finish. Matte pouches however, are available in fewer sizes and thicknesses.

Glossy & Clear Thermal Lamination Pouches

Glossy/clear thermal lamination pouches are separated into three different categories, 1) standard size, 2) large, and 3) oversize pouches.

Standard Size
Standard size lamination pouches give a glasslike glossy appearance to your document. There are many options within this type of pouch. The options include business card, credit card, driver’s license, IBM/Data card, school card, jumbo, luggage tag (with or without slot), key card, military badge, postal card, circulation card or extra circulation card, index or file card, license plate, letter, legal, menu and the 4″ by 6″ card.

Each style of standard size glossy/clear thermal pouch is categorized by its size, thickness, and quantity in each box.

Large
The overall appearance of the large pouch is similar to the standard size pouch but is made with bigger measurements. They are sold in the following sizes:

• 6″ x 9″ (best for photos)
• 6.5″ x 12.5″ (for license plates)
• 9″ x 11.5″ (for letters)
• 9″ x 14.5″ (for legal papers)
• 11.25″ x 17.25″(one menu option)
• 11.5″ x 17.5″(second menu option)
• 12″ x 18″ (third menu option)

Oversize
These pouches have the same glossy glasslike appearance as the other two pouches. These measure from 19″ x 25″ to 43″ to 61″. At times certain sizes need to be ordered by the sales department because they are not in stock so call to check for availability.

Matte Pouches
These types of pouches are not glossy or glasslike. They are made to reduce glare and are given a frosted coarse appearance to achieve this. Because of their appearance and texture you can write on these with pen, pencil, or marker, while still receiving protection against smudges and smears. These can be used to laminate indoor items, as well as outdoor documents, that will be vulnerable to weather elements.

Unlike the glossy/clear thermal pouches, the selection of sizes is small. These pouches are offered in two sizes, and each size has the option of selecting either one matte finish side or a two-sided matte finish. The sizes are:

• 9″ x 11.5″
• 12″ x 18″

Another difference from the glossy/clear thermal pouches is that matte pouches are only made with a 5-mil thickness for the film.

Whatever your lamination needs, you are sure to find a lamination pouch to suit you! Make sure you accurately measure your documents and consider what it will be used for and how often it will be handled before purchasing pouches, and if you are unsure call for assistance.