Best Way to laminate

[andreyua]

I print photo's at home.
Sometimes I have the need to laminate photo's time from time.
The lamination needs to be just on one side.
What would be the easiest way to do this.

Taking it to a store that does lamination, is not an option :D

I was checking out machines that do this, but they are pricy, and do two sides.

Any information you can give, will be usefull.

Thanks is Advance :P

Andrey

[whowie]

I use a product I picked up at an art supply store but, the bad news is, I have a piece of it here in my hand but there's no brand name or identifying marks of any kind on the piece I have left.

Here's the best I can describe it. Its a very thin plastic with a paper back that peels away to expose the adhesive side. It came on a roll thats about 18 inches wide and four feet long. I cut a piece thats slightly larger than my picture, stick it all together, then trim it all to the correct size with an exacto knife and a steel ruler. In the end, though, I didn't like the finish; too reflective. Now I only use it to waterproof maps that I print on an ink jet printer. However, if you need quick and cheap laminating it might be the answer. I think a roll of this stuff costs about three bucks.

[robertwgross]

There is a product that I used to use for maps and photos.

W.T. Rogers Plain-Vu Self-Adhesive Protector Sheets, contains 2 sheets, 9"x12". Strong, 5 mil. thick, self-sealing, permanent

W.T. Rogers Co., Madison, WI 53716

---Bob Gross---

[Digital Prophet]

I imagine that he is talking about a product very similar to these (http://www.officedepot.com/txtSearchDD2.do?navType=navText&level=FM&id=21038) . I have experimented with several of these and have never been happy with them. But it was mainly because I needed a thicker, stiffer laminate than 5mil. But if you are just looking to add a protective layer then I think they would be fine. But as a little secret, I was once caught at a presentation and needed one more handout. So I took some clear 3" wide packing tape and laminated by hand. It wasn't perfect, but it worked and took about 1.5 minutes.

In fact it didn't look half bad for being total crap.

- Digital Prophet -

[Tomsk]

Cheat!

Buy a laminating machine - their pretty cheap in the UK ~£20 or US$35

Get your photo and place a sheet of thin paper slightly bigger or the same size behind it.
Place both in the laminating wallet/sheet/whatchamacallit and run it through the laminator.
When done, trim the finished sandwich, just smaller than the photo. The backing paper will fall away leaving only the front of the photo laminated.
8)

[Tomsk]

Another idea, something I've been wanting to try out myself.

Although laminiating machines are pretty cheap, the laminating wallets are even cheaper.

You could try doing what I suggested previously, but using a clothes iron. Obviously some expermentation would be required to find the correct temperature and technique, but it saves on buying a laminator (assuming you have a clothes iron ;) )

You could even just do one side only by seperating the laminating wallet.

I've not tried this method so you're the guinea pig!