It’s not uncommon for your laminator to develop one issue or another. Unfortunately, this is something every device on this planet exhibits after some use. However, knowing about the common error with your laminator makes it easy to fix whenever this occurs.
Slowing you down and wasting pouches are the main drawbacks of laminating machine concerns. So what do you do when you encounter these difficulties? Well, we’ve outlined how to fix common errors with a laminator for your convenience.
Common errors with laminators
The Film Has Bubbles Underneath It
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of bubbling.
Depending on the film specification, you may need to increase or decrease the tension on the feed spool. If there is not enough tension, air can get caught between the film and the print. The correct film tension is determined by the thickness of the film (the higher the required tension, the thicker the film).
When feeding the print into the laminator, you should do so at a slower rate.
As with film adhering, make sure the ink is completely dry before moving on. There are times when delaying action pays off in the long term.
Maintain a constant temperature — Ink can boil if the rolls have hot patches. Therefore, the machine should not be left idle for long periods, and the laminator should be sped up and the temperature reduced if bubbles are caused by hot spots.
The Pouch Not Sticking
Ink composition and the adhesive on the pouch are the primary causes of this problem, which is most prevalent in digital printouts. Having a lot of ink coverage makes it harder for the pouch to stick to the paper.
Laminating pouches are frequently heat-sensitive. Thus the machine must be preheated to melt the adhesive evenly. Preheat the laminator and wait for the ready indication before laminating to ensure consistent heat distribution.
Ensure that the pouch is compatible with a wide range of inks if purchasing pouches separately from the laminator. A friend who’s been laminating for a long time can recommend the best brands to you.
Make sure the ink on the paper is dry before laminating it; otherwise, the lamination process may be hampered by the ink. As a result, let the ink dry for at least an hour.
You Get Orange Peel Print
In the end, the print looks like orange peel.
Usually, the machine is too hot if you notice small wrinkles or waves. Take note of the film’s recommended operating temperature. The film doesn’t heat up as much when you run it through the laminator at a faster speed, so it’s worth a shot as a temporary remedy. A solvent residue can cause orange peel, so you’ll want to use a film that’s designed for this case.
After encapsulation, the print will not lay flat
It is common for the print to curl slightly. However, this may be remedied with some light smoothing. Otherwise, try these things:
As a general rule, the bottom film will be stretched more during lamination, then tightened more during cooling if the laminator is set to the same tension for both layers (which causes curling)
To avoid curling, make sure all sides are covered with the correct film thicknesses.
The laminated document has blemishes or stains
You may observe marks on the laminated document if there is a feeding issue, such as something becoming trapped on the roll. Listed below are a few fixes:
To avoid feed waves, feed the pouch perpendicular to the roll.
It’s possible to get streaks on the final print if adhesive, paper or laminating film is adhered to on the rolls.
Curling
When the laminated document does not lie flat, this is known as “buckling.” It’s okay to have some curling, but if it’s persistent, you’ll need to use a hair straightener.
In order to achieve a consistent laminating temperature and uniform stretching and tightening on both sides, preheat the laminator before using it.
To avoid unwanted curling, choose a film with the same thickness on both sides.
The Pouch Encircles The Rolls
The rolls are encased in the pouch.
Static electricity is to blame for this, and it’s a problem with lighter films. Running the machine in reverse will allow you to gently remove the wrapped film from the back rolls. To avoid a problem, one should:
Laminate in a continuous feed – The weight of the film will assist keep it away from the back rolls of the machine.
To prevent the film from being pulled back by static, you should leave a few inches of additional film between each sheet of encapsulation.
Aside from being a safety concern, grounding your machine also helps remove static from conductors.
Place the metal-cored tinsel about 0.25 inches away from the object you wish to neutralize. Make sure the tinsel is tightly stretched and free airspace around it.
How To Fix Laminator Pouch Jam
Occasionally, a bag will become trapped in your laminator. If this occurs, you must act swiftly to resolve the issue.
- Put off the device and unplug it.
This will help you avoid replacing or repairing your machine if the engine burns out.
- Pull the pouch out slowly and gently.
Check for damage once the laminator has been turned off. For example, if you tried to laminate something really bulky, there’s a good possibility it wouldn’t fit through the laminator. Gently pull it out with your bare hands, if possible. Also, in the future, avoid laminating bulky or dimensional materials. They can do a lot of damage to your computer.
- Reverse the laminator
The laminating pouch may be tucked away inside the device. Restart the system and put it in reverse mode if this is the issue. Always use a carrier to avoid this happening again. That way, the pouch’s glue won’t leach out and cause difficulties.
- Turn on the laminator.
You might have to resort to a more radical solution in the case of a jammed pouch in your laminator. Some machines, such as printers and fax machines, can be opened up like this. Try opening yours to see if you can get rid of the jam in your pouches. So, just make sure you’ve unplugged it beforehand so you don’t get burned.
- Make sure there is a lever to release it.
A pouch jam lever may be the cause of a machine that won’t open. Allows for simpler removal of blocked bags by separating rollers of the device. There is a release lever on the laminator seen here.
- Open the laminator
Suppose you have some mechanical understanding and are experienced with working with machinery. In that case, this method is okay for you to use. However, you should not attempt this unless you are certain that you are doing it correctly. Also, make sure the machine is unplugged before attempting this to avoid any burns or electrocutions.
How To Fix Laminating Machine that isn’t Heating
After spending an hour or more painstakingly laminating your print job, it’s distressing to discover that you lack the necessary heat. If you know how to fix a laminator, though, it’s not necessarily broken.
If you’re having trouble generating gorgeous prints, there are a few simple fixes you can use right away. When a laminator is not heating, you may do a few things to get it working again.
Check for a vent that is opened
Look for a vent that isn’t closed.
Checking for an open vent is a good place to start. It will not heat up if a vent has not been properly shut. Hold a piece of paper over the vent and see if it helps. The vent is not shut if the paper puffs up. Next, you’ll need to plug the vent with sealant.
If the machine’s heating element has been clogged by glue or has been overheating, it may need to be replaced. First, remove the top of the machine with a screwdriver to get to the heating element. Then, reinstall the top and do the last test after cleaning the hot element with a vacuum cleaner.
Your laminator may not heat up if the vents are clogged. For air and heat, there are two kinds of vents. A vacuum cleaner or compressed air can clean out the vents if you find that both are clogged. Then put the machine back together and test it.
Unplug the device
When a laminator doesn’t heat up, you should first unplug it. There’s a good chance that the problem is with the machine’s power supply.
Try plugging the machine back in after you’ve unplugged it. Also, putting the machine on a flat surface might help it heat up if it’s still not working.
Tips on fixing a laminator that isn’t heating up are provided here.
To see if the machine is getting power, check the power source.
Determine whether or not the laminating pouches have been properly inserted
Inspect the pouches for air pockets, if necessary.
Laminating pouches should be of the highest quality possible.
Running the appliance at a lower temperature may help
Make sure the fuses are working
Check the fuse if you’re confident the laminator isn’t heating up. The front of the machine is usually where you’ll find it. If a fuse is blown, it must be changed immediately.
When this fuse bursts, it’s usually due to an electrical fault with the equipment. As a result, your machine may require maintenance or a complete replacement.
Remove the rollers from the laminator
Not heating up your laminator? Laminate rollers may be the problem. The most typical cause of a laminator not heating up is this.
Because of the adhesive, you’ll see that the laminating rollers are covered with it. As a result, they can’t move freely because they’re glued to the wheels.
The rollers need to be cleaned in order to fix this. The adhesive can be cleaned by wiping it down with a dry rag or piece of paper towel.
Laminating rollers should also be slid back and forth to evenly distribute the glue. Again, it should be spread out equally.
To see if the machine is heating up after this, but the laminating rollers back into the machine.
Clean the machine of any dust or debris
Laminating machines are typically infested with dust and other contaminants. This indicates that your machine is unable to seal the paper to the sticker.
Make sure the machine is free of dust and dirt before trying to fix this issue. Make sure to thoroughly clean every part of the equipment, including the outside. Vacuum cleaners and brushes can be used to remove dust and debris from the surface.
Examine the cable
Even if your power cord has been unplugged, you can also check to see if the power cord is in excellent working order. In addition, the power cord should be checked for cuts in the insulation, frayed cords, or exposed wires. Power cable replacement may be necessary if one or more of the following conditions are found.
Your power cord may be faulty, and you should check the outlet. Plug another device into the outlet and turn it on to test whether it’s working. It’s possible that your laminator was malfunctioning because of a problem with the outlet.
You may need to buy a new laminator if you’re still having trouble getting adequate heat.
Conclusion
Even though laminating isn’t that difficult, it has its own set of challenges, just like any other task or procedure.
Operator errors, such as feeding pouches too rapidly or forcibly or not allowing the machine to heat up properly before laminating, are the most common causes of difficulties with laminators,
This is why you must read the machines and the pouch’s instructions to make sure you’re doing it correctly.