Q&A for How to Laminate Paper

Yes, to laminate paper with tape, use clear tape and cover all parts that you want laminated. Use packing tape to make the process faster, but small clear tape works as well.

You could try using clear packing tape or plastic wrap, but it may not look as good as the methods in the article.

A hot laminator is not appropriate for heat-sensitive documents, such as photos or artwork created with wax crayons. It could melt/ negatively impact these documents.

No. The laminating sheets are meant to adhere to whatever you put them on. Removing them would cause damage such as ripping or tearing.

Yes. The alternative to using a machine would be to purchase self-adhesive laminating sheets, which are very easy to use.

The easiest way to make a permanent mark is just with a permanent marker, like a Sharpie.

You can use packaging tape instead of laminating pouches.

Trying to take these types of laminate off of a piece of paper is likely to cause it damage, because they are meant to adhere to the paper. Aside from that, removing laminate will make your paper more vulnerable to further damage, as lamination is a protective measure in the first place.

You should probably put it in a more protected place, since this is probably caused from the sunlight taking the color out of it, or precipitation somehow leaking through the lamination and causing the dye to run out.

Yes, you can laminate any kind of paper with self laminate as long as the laminate sheet size is larger than the paper size.

You can use clear tape, but it will not work as well.

It will likely just melt, as it is plastic.

No.

Yes, it does.

Yes, but the laminated document may not look as official. Packaging tape might work best, just be careful that the tape does not fold onto itself while you apply it.

If it's just to replace a certain area (i.e. a date or correcting a name) you can carefully cut out the part of laminate that covers what you want to replace with an exact-o knife and cover back up with tape or laminate or both. Not perfect, but good enough for everyday use.

No. Since the lamination is on the edges when you use a sheet of paper, the cut-out letters will slip out of the lamination. You might need to cut out letters, then laminate them - and you could try putting more than one letter on a laminating sheet.

No. As long as you leave enough space between the pictures, the front and back sheets of laminate will stick to each other so you can cut around the pictures without breaking the seal.

A hot laminator is not appropriate for heat-sensitive documents, such as photos or artwork created with wax crayons. So, for example, using the cold laminating function would decrease the chances of your photos betting ruined.

That would likely result in uneven heating and undesirable results; however, many office product supply stores sell laminating sheets that can be applied with an iron.

Yes, but it depends on what size lamination pouches your laminator will take.

Pictures are heat sensitive, so using any heat could cause damage to your photos, but if you are using a self-laminating sheet or clear tape, you don't need heat. You only have to be careful to keep the paper with photos flat so it doesn't end up curved.

Unless the laminate says specifically that it is somehow fireproofed, the laminate will melt in fire.

If you are using self-adhesive sheets, then it is best to use the standard adhesive inside.

Typically, no. You must remove the tape before laminating to prevent damage to your photos or documents.