How can I laminate without laminating

[InsomniacInkRoss]

At one of my jobs, every week or so there is a need to laminate about 80-120 5.5x8.5 pieces of paper. This can be time consuming using a sheet by sheet laminater.

 

The only real need is that these pieces of paper don't bleed ink if they get wet or more likely, damp. So, the question is if their is a better way to do this? Something you can spray on top of the paper? A different (non-expensive) kind of paper? Open to all thoughts.

[DatHoser]

Thinking out loud here, but I wonder if a water-proofing spray for shoes would work here.

[ewizabeff]

put them in a plastic sleeve, and reuse the sleeves?

[InsomniacInkRoss]

One time use, they are price signs for coolers that get tossed when the sale is over. For the record, they shouldn't get wet where they are, but somehow Pick N Save thinks they will.

[Teatoe993]

When I worked in printing a varnish coat was used to make things glossy and to protect. Not sure if you can get a spray can of that stuff or not.

[Houlie24x]

I would think using the reuseable plastic sleeves would be a good idea. They are pretty cheap.

[Baldkin]

Sleeves, or maybe packing tape?

 

http://www.uline.com/BL_3107/Uline-Label-Protection-Tape

 

I figure the 6" type could do you perfect.

[mothershipconnection]

Working with children, we laminate everything. My current company has a laminater and it`s awesome, but costs $900. Before, when I worked for an organization with less money for supplies, I used clear packing tape, but it takes time. Our machine does three sheets across and could do 120 sheets in well under 10 min.

[burniebrewer]

Do the signs get placed in the same location each week (i.e. over a special display cooler) or do they go to various different points of sale?

 

If the signs go in the same spot, there are hard plastic (think acrylic picture frame) sign sleeves that can be hung anywhere and all you have to do is slide the paper/sign into a slot. No laminate or special paper needed and these things are permanent and durable. We use these in my store, but not because of the wetness factor, it's more for aesthetic value of not having scotch tape remnants on the walls.

 

However, I'm guessing these signs have to be moved around to whatever product it is being promoted.

 

Something like this:

 

http://www.wallpocketcompany.com/plexipocket-acrylic-wall-sign-holder.jpg

[jerichoholicninja]

Book or packing tape definitely. I've "laminated" a lot of stuff using that method.

[Patrick425]

Not to sound too critical of some of the suggestions posted here, but I think IIR's original post was looking for an alternate quicker way to "laminate". Seems to me like individually taping each item would not save a whole lot of time.

 

The varnish coat or plastic sleeves seam like possible solutions.

[hurricanecrush]

We've used this stuff for golf outing hole signs that we print on a water based (inkjet) plotter. It's water resistant and helps eliminate running when it gets damp.

 

http://www.krylon.com/products/crystal_clear_acrylic/

[InsomniacInkRoss]

The Krylon stuff sounds pretty good, might be exactly what I need. Is there a strong odor?

 

We have a 60" lamination machine as well, but it takes forever to warm up, warps smaller jobs, and its cumbersome to cut 5.5x8.5 slices out of.

 

I like the sleeve idea, but, we don't have control of where they are mounted, and would have to get the retailer on board, which is unlikely to happen. Better to just give them a final product.

 

Thanks for all the help.