How to Maintain a Roll Laminator

Roll laminators are some of the most popular document finishing machines and for good reason. These devices make it possible for you to laminate anything from photographs to banners. If you have one of these machines, chances are you want to keep it in great shape, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle and cost of repairs. The best way to do that is by maintaining your laminator to the best of your ability. Here is how to best maintain and clean your roll laminator:

The Do’s and Don’t of Roll Laminators

For quick reference for you and your staff print out this poster and display next to your laminating station.

• DON’T Laminate Sparkles: One of the best things you can do for your roll laminator is never using it to process items covered in glitter. The same goes for metallic materials. These documents can do some major damage. If glitter gets on to the rollers, it will be difficult for the machine to transfer heat, which essentially renders it useless. You don’t want that to happen. If you are wanting to add some shine to your documents safely use laminating foil with a protective sheet between the foil and your rollers.

 

• DON’T Laminate Thick or Textured Objects: You shouldn’t attempt to laminate items that are thicker than your machine's feed opening. Additionally, avoid heavily textured items such as coins or wooden objects. Attempting to laminate these objects will likely break your laminator.

 

• DON’T Use Blades Near the Rollers: Make sure you keep sharp objects away from your laminator’s rollers. This includes scissors, craft knives, and so on. These implements can nick and gouge the silicone on the rollers. If that happens, you might need to repair the machine or even replace it is the damage is bad enough.

 

• DO Turn Your Machine Off: Unless your laminator shuts down automatically, be sure to turn it off when you’re done using it. This helps protect the motor so you can get as much use out of the device as possible. It also greatly reduces the risk of fire and injury.

 

• DO Clean Adhesive Off Your Rollers: At some point, you may notice that there is adhesive buildup on the machine’s rollers. This isn’t a big deal but it does need to be taken care of to avoid jams and damage. It is recommended you clean your rollers 2-4 times a year. Learn how to properly clean your laminator below.

 

• DO Trust the Professionals: If something does goes wrong with your laminator, be sure to call in a professional. Not only will this ensure that your laminator will be properly fixed, it can help you avoid voiding the warranty.

How to Clean a Roll Laminator

Since even the most careful attention will result in some adhesive deposits on the rollers, roll laminators must be cleaned from time to time. Fortunately, the process is relatively easy.

1. Remove any film. Make sure there is no film in the laminator before you clean it. It can be a good habit to clean your machine every time you switch rolls as there will be no film in your machine.

 

2. Preheat your laminator. Turn on your machine and let heat until it indicates it is up to temperature. Be careful not to burn yourself

 

3. Scrub the rollers. Use a dedicated adhesive eraser and other laminator cleaning supplies to clean the rollers. Do not use metal pads or Brillo pads, as these will damage the rollers. Allow the machine to run at a very slow speed so you can reach all sides. Scrub rollers until all of the hardened adhesive is gone. You may need to clean one area at a time if you can’t move the rollers because the heat shield is not engaged. It may take a while to finish cleaning your machine, but your patience will pay off in scrubbing away the adhesive residue.

When you are finished cleaning, install new laminating rolls and be sure to check to see that the feed table is fully engaged.

For the best results keep up on cleaning your rollers regularly. The older the adhesive the harder it is and the harder it is to remove. Cleaning off the adhesive every three to six months is a good rule of thumb. Of course, if you’re using your laminator a lot and the glue is really starting to build up, you should clean it more often. If film is wrapped around the rollers or inserted backwards, you will have to clear the jam and clean the machine (following the same procedure) before attempting to laminate anything else.

Maintaining your roll laminator is quite easy to do and it’s well worth it to take the time to do so. You’ll be able to keep your machine in good shape so you can laminate documents when you need to and get great results. We offer various roller cleaning kits to help you along the way and are always available at 1-800-944-4573 if you need any assistance.