I went back to school shopping. No, it wasn’t for new clothes. I bought a new laminator and I am giddy with excitement. Please tell me I’m not alone in getting excited about things like this (please).
My Laminator
Here is my new little toy – a Scotch Thermal Laminator.
So, what does a teacher who just received a present in the mail do? She acts like it’s Christmas morning, opens the gift, and immediately puts it to work.
Have you seen this pin?
Source: First Grade Fresh
Well, I tracked it down and bought it last spring. It’s called Silly Sentences for Word Work. You can read more about it here.
My kiddos loved creating silly sentences last year. This year I wanted to do this product justice so I went full out with printing on cardstock, mounting on color-coded paper, and now it was time to laminate. Here were four of my starting stacks (yes, I’m annoyed that I didn’t notice the cards were facing different directions when I took the picture):
My laminator came with several of the laminating pouches, but I also purchased a large box of letter-sized pouches, too. The pouches have one closed side on the bottom. I opened it up, laid down my cards, and closed it back up.
Since it was the first run, I was super careful and slow. Once you get the pouch lined up right, the laminator grabs it gently and guides it through – no pushing or pulling needed.
Now, remember how I said I was being super careful? Well, let me be honest. I assumed the pouches had a slightly sticky/tacky surface on the inside to help hold the papers in place. I was WRONG. Just another reason I shouldn’t make assumptions. So, in my rush to get going, this happened:
We all know how frustrating this can be. Oh, and I should mention that I DO know that the laminating pouches come in different sizes for smaller pieces. I also think the larger pouches are more cost-efficient (and teachers are on a tight budget).
Tip for Using Your Personal Laminator
Luckily my husband (an engineer) helped me make some adjustments to make it work a little more smoothly. He used some of his books to tilt the laminator up and extend the loading zone in the back to be more flat. This keeps the smaller pieces from sliding around as the pouch enters the laminator.
Now comes the fun part. Trying to get all of my freshly laminated pouches cut without getting the dreaded pain in my thumb and fingers from using the scissors so much! Wish me luck with all of this cutting!
Are you interested in purchasing a personal laminator? I bought mine from Amazon. They are continually changing the laminator to make it better, but here are a few options that are really close to the one I have. Just don’t forget to stock up on laminating pouches, too!
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Over the years, I’ve discovered there are two types of teachers when it comes to laminating. There are those who cut-laminate-cut and there are those who laminate, then cut. Which team are you on? I conducted my own little experiment to find out if it really makes a difference. Do you want to know what I discovered? Click on the picture below to find out for yourself!
Happy Teaching!
You are MOST definitely NOT alone! I am in LOVE with my laminator that I got earlier this summer with gift certificates at Barnes and Noble. I've blown through a box and a half of sheets already. LOL!
Have you heard of sticker machines? I'm researching these right now. Or the Cameo Silhouette? ENVY!!!!!
I love my laminator too! I'm already on my third box of sheets! Happy Cutting!
Hunter's Tales from Teaching
LOL the only thing I love more than my laminator (and I got the same one you have and I've only had it for a month) is my labeler. Amazing how those two things can spread happiness and joy. Have fun cutting all those things out.
I love my laminator, and no, you're not the only one that gets excited about this kind of stuff-hehe. I love your husband's solution to the loading zone!
Aimee
Primarily Speaking
I use a paper cutter with slide for cutting laminated card. Quicker, easier and straighter than i could ever do with scissors.
I use a glue stick to keep the paper in place on the laminating film. I also use a paper cutter and always laminate after I have cut the pieces to size so they have a seal of laminating around the cards. There is always one student who will pick them apart of they are not sealed correctly! A little more time in the construction phase is worth it in the long run.