Saturday, July 19, 2014

Home Laminating Trick



Raise your hand if you have a home laminating machine. If you didn't raise your hand I'm going to strongly suggest that you go buy one! I had a "nicer" one from Staples that I used for some time. Until I managed to wrap laminate around the roll of it. I needed a new one before I had the chance to attempt fixing it or getting it replaced so I bought the Scotch laminator that Wal-Mart offers.

It works wonders. I would totally recommend it. It's really not a bad price either! And you can order your packs on amazon or purchase at Wal-Mart, whatever your preference is.

Okay, okay, now that we've discussed that, let's move on to the point of this post. Laminating at home is awesome. We can't live at school (although sometimes we think it would just be easier that way) so it's nice to have the option to laminate some items from the comfort of your desk chair...or couch..or floor..wherever you work best!

You have to use laminate pouches when using these machines. So you place your items inside of the pouch, and lay down the top layer. Then you have to pick your pouch up and slide into the machine--typically on an angle. Easy peasy right? YES! Until you have to laminate little tiny pieces. And ironically I prefer to do little tiny pieces at home because my home laminate is thicker than school laminate, therefore making my small items just a tad bit more durable.

They slide pretty easily when you're trying to move your pouch to the machine and forget it when you try to slide it in on angle. They will be all over the place. So I came up with a magic weapon.


Maybe you're thinking, "Erin, that's not really a secret. It's a gluestick." or "Duh, Erin, that's what I've been doing with mine forever!" Well there was a serious ah-ha moment when it dawned on me.

I put a dab of glue on the back of each picture then lay it down on my laminate pouch. It keeps the picture right in place, no sliding around while it enters in the machine.



Fill up your page with all of your pictures and then lay down the top of your pouch and it's ready to enter the machine. The other awesome part--you don't even notice the glue from the back after it runs through the machine.



And just so you know I'm not pulling your leg about the glue not showing through on the back.


Now if you hadn't thought to already do this on your own you're probably thinking, "Why didn't I think of that?!" So of course, that's why I'm sharing this idea. It is such a BRIGHT IDEA! If you're interested in more tips and tricks make sure to follow me on facebook and instagram.

You can also browse the link up below to find more bright ideas from over 80 awesome bloggers that spark your interest! I always learn so much from the Bright Ideas Hop!
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56 comments

Krogers Kindergarten said...

Brilliant!!!

Mrs. Richardson's Class said...

It is new to me!!! Thanks for the tip!! I agree, it's more durable. I use it more than the school one too! Thanks for saving me a headache!!

Amanda D! said...

That's an a-ha moment for me, too! Great idea because I seriously dread laminating those tiny little pieces. Thanks for sharing!

-Amanda
Kindergarten Teacher at the Wheel

Donna said...

Never crossed my mind to use a dab of glue stick! I love my little laminator from Costco and wouldn't be able to live without it!
Learning at the Teacher Table

Jennifer @ Simply Kinder said...

I always used a smidge of tape but glue is WAY easier! Why on earth did I not think of that! Thanks!

Simply Kinder

tgrismer said...

That NEVER occurred to me! Thanks for the tip!

Tami said...

That is a great tip! What a bright idea! I am definitely doing this! Love my little laminator! Thanks!

Lori Rosenberg said...

Wow! This is definitely an ah-ha moment for me! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Super smart idea!!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies

Jennifer K. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer K. said...

I am feeling dumb now - why didn't I think of that?! I can't tell you how many times I've dealt with pieces sliding everywhere! Thanks for the tip - you have saved me a lot of future hassle!

Jennifer @ Herding Kats in Kindergarten

Miss Kindergarten said...

OH MY GOD THIS IS THE SMARTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!! Say good bye to all the cursing that accompanies little pieces stacking on top of each other when being laminated! You are a genius my friend!!!

Beth Friedman said...

I use cover stock and laminate the whole sheet. After I laminate the sheets I cut out the little pieces. Try one sheet. It has worked for me for years.

Tiffani said...

Great idea! i hate when my pieces move.

Barbara Rogers Buchanan said...

Lolol - no, I hadn't thought of the glue stick. I usually stand there and hold the end of the laminate to make sure nothing slides out of place .... Thanks!

Cole | Teach Glitter Grow said...

So smart!! Thanks for the tip! :)

Julie Wiersma said...

Thanks for the awesome hint! I will try it out soon.

Unknown said...

omg that is such a great hint...and duh an ah ha moment

Unknown said...

This is one of those moments where you sit there, dumbfounded for a moment, and then, do the head smack thing! Thank you, thank you! I hate having to redo my laminating when it slides onto another piece. Whether you 'invented' this or not, you shared and my whole laminating world just changed. Thank you! Thank you!

sspeller said...

I was going to say the same thing. Some people say that cutting after laminating the sheet makes it "peel" but I have always been successful cutting after the laminating. I'm too lazy to do it twice!

Unknown said...

Great idea! Never thought of it! Thanks for sharing! By the way, which laminator did you get at Walmart? I notice they have 2 or 3 of them. I am going to need to replace mine soon.

Lori said...

Genius! What a great tip to keep those pesky small pieces in place. Thank you!
Lori
Conversations in Literacy

Nicole Heinlein said...

Love this! Simple and so necessary! Thanks, Erin!

Karen @ PreKinders.com said...

Oh my word! I seriously had not that of that. Great idea!

Unknown said...

Oh. Em. Gee. DUH! Where has this been all my life?! THANKYOU!

More than Math by Mo said...

Thanks for sharing! I've always used double sided tape, but glue stick will be so much more efficient!
Monique
More Than Math by Mo

Anonymous said...

I print mine directly on cardstock and then laminate and only cut once this way. cutting all of them out and then laminating, means another cutting time... too time consuming for me.

Amanda @ Teach with Love and Joy said...

I SOOO needed this about a week ago! Thanks so much for the tip!!!

Unknown said...

Great idea! Those things sliding around drive me crazy. Thanks for sharing!

Sally said...

Sounds so simple! Thanks for sharing!

Sally from Elementary Matters

Sally said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie Knight said...

Brilliant!

Maureen Antoski said...

oh gee...so simple yet I never ever thought of!!! thank you!!!!!

Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Such a great idea! Thank you for sharing!!!
~Fern
Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!
Fern Smith's Pinterest Boards!

MissCoulombe said...

What a great idea! I also love my scotch laminator.

www.coordinatedclassroom.blogspot.com

Jessica

Descriptive Turkeys said...

I use a Scotch laminator and I've never had it peel. I just cut everything out. At school, that is a different issue. Great tip!

Cupcake said...

SO SMART!!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher

Unknown said...

Hi! Thanx for the excellent idea! And how did you get those wonderful icons…….

Laura

Malena said...

Nope...have experienced this many times and never thought of this...thank you!!

Thoughtfully Third said...

Genius! Those little pieces overlapping is the worst! I think you just made my week! :-D

Unknown said...

Great idea! I have a home laminator but have been nervous about using it. You have given me the courage to give it a try. Your pictures are amazing!
:) Stephanie from First Grade Bangs

Unknown said...

Be careful when using photos though. I placed one dab of gluestick glue on the back of each photo (used colored gluestick). I thought the glue would dry clear as it does on other projects, however to my horror, after running the photos through a hot laminator, each child had a purple nose. The glue had bled through to the other side of the photo after lamination. Needless to say, I had to start all over on this Christmas gift project. Always do a test first.

beachliesl said...

You are brilliant! Thank you for sharing this AHA moment!

Liesl in VA

Mrs. Wathen said...

Fabulous idea:) I have ruined a few projects as the cardstock slipped as I put it through the laminator!

Tammy
The Resourceful Apple

Anonymous said...

I have a question.. If i wanted to do pictures back to back, would the dab of glue spoil the picture in anyway?

Stacy said...

Ummmm seriously that is pure GENIUS!!!!! Thanks for sharing this tip...I am sooooo PINNING.

✰ Stacy

Simpson Superstars

Anonymous said...

So smart!! Thanks for the tip! :)

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Thank you for this advice! I needed help with this and found you through Google. I appreciate you sharing this!

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