When deciding among models, consider both the size of the documents you expect to laminate and the thickness of lamination needed. Typically, the larger the document that needs lamination, the more advanced a unit you will need. Similarly, you'll need to look to higher-end models if you want more protection. For documents that require even greater thickness, or are too large for a pouch, there are industrial, high-volume laminators which use rolls of lamination film that can range up to five feet wide. Another factor when assessing models is to consider its speed.
Laminators use mechanisms called heat shoes to melt the laminate.
Efficient heat shoes heat quickly and maintain an optimum temperature. You'll also want to choose a unit with an external temperature indicator to achieve consistent, high-quality lamination. Fluctuating or insufficient temperatures can result in poor laminations where the layers separate, bubbles appear, or where the finished product is not of uniform thickness . Better-designed laminators will have separate switches for the heater and the motor that transports the document through the unit itself. The motors in some units run constantly anytime the heater is on, resulting in a shorter life span for the unit.