Laminating by hand

[MikeSTK]

I've combed through old posts but can anyone offer some advice?

We do not have a laminator. I am looking to lam small items (under 2 sq/ft). I tried to just lay it down and squeegie it but was not happy with the results and it seems bubble happy.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Fred Weiss]

The Big Squeegee is made for the purpose.

 

[Billct2]

We do this, just like laying down vinyl.
Tape the piece to be laminated to the table, hinge the laminate on one end.
Apply using 6" felt squeege.

 

[Mainframe]

We do this, just like laying down vinyl.
Tape the piece to be laminated to the table, hinge the laminate on one end.
Apply using 6" felt squeege.

DUDE! You really need to click Fred's link, life will open up & blossom for you, I promise! The Big squeegee is the bomb! A felt squeegee is a really rough way to do it, yikes!

 

[Billct2]

I have a BS.
I'm just saying it it is quick & easy to do (small prints) if you want, and the results are fine, not rough.

 

[Bill43mx]

Mike,
As long as you are only doing small prints I'd suggest you consider this manual laminator: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PERFECT-25-...877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5640e0735d

We've used this exact model for over 2 years now and it does a great job. It's as basic as it gets, and is limited to 25" wide material, but it lays down bubblefree laminate every time. We just purchased a "real" 65" laminator, but I'm not getting rid of our 25" it's way too handy for the small jobs!

The big squeegie is also a nice tool but personally I could never get consistent results with it.

 

[MikePro]

Just get a mini roller and liquid lam costs like $60 a gallon, which should be enough for a roll of print

 

[MikeSTK]

We've been using a spray lam but I don't like the finished product at all. Does the lliquid lam self level?

Is it a nicer finish than spray anyway?

Thanks for all the suggestions, just can't justify a good lmainator right now.

 

[bob]

We've been using a spray lam but I don't like the finished product at all. Does the lliquid lam self level?

Is it a nicer finish than spray anyway?

Thanks for all the suggestions, just can't justify a good lmainator right now.

Clear Shield levels out quite nicely if, that's if, you mop it on just this side of dry brush. Use a foam brush, not a roller and certainly not a bristle brush. Thinning it to the consistency of whole milk helps a lot as well. When done properly you cannot tell the the finished produce ever had anything brushed upon it.

As far as the Big Squeegee, do a search on You Tube. There's one particular video demonstrating a technique using double sided Scotch tape that, once you do it a time or two, produces excellent bubble free results. Try it but don't use anything more aggressive that 3/4" Scotch double sided tape. For example, don't try it with banner tape or double sided masking tap. That way lies ruin and madness.

 

[signcrafters london]

As far as the Big Squeegee, do a search on You Tube. There's one particular video demonstrating a technique using double sided Scotch tape that, once you do it a time or two, produces excellent bubble free results. Try it but don't use anything more aggressive that 3/4" Scotch double sided tape. For example, don't try it with banner tape or double sided masking tap. That way lies ruin and madness.

Ask me how I know.

 

[MikeSTK]

I will check it out, THANKS. ( and when did my typing get so awful? )

 

[Gene@mpls]

As far as the Big Squeegee, do a search on You Tube. There's one particular video demonstrating a technique using double sided Scotch tape that, once you do it a time or two, produces excellent bubble free results. Try it but don't use anything more aggressive that 3/4" Scotch double sided tape. For example, don't try it with banner tape or double sided masking tap. That way lies ruin and madness.

There are a *lot* of BS vids- can anyone post a link to what Bob is talking
about- tried numerous search terms and watched as many likely vids as
I could stand. We use and like the BS BTW- just always looking for better
ways to do anything. Thanks Gene

 

[bob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TJR6Dr5DHc

 

[thewvsignguy]

We have had our BS for about two months now. I have used it 4 or 5 times for some 2-6 sq. ft prints and worked like a charm! I was a little skeptical on how such and inexpensive item would work so great. It does what it is supposed to do and with a bit more practice I'll feel more confident is doing even larger prints. It is worth every penny and until we start to laminate larger prints this is a very cost-effective solution. Good Luck!

 

[Gene@mpls]

Thank you, Bob. I will give that a try.

 

[Edserv]

We used a Big Squeegee for all our "hand applied" overlam jobs. It's tricky, but you can successfully use a BS once you get the "hang of it."
If you're looking for a cold lam, keep an eye on Craigslist. We found a GBC for 1/10 the price of buying one new. But we still use the BS for jobs over 40" wide.

 

[gieseguy]

you can use the wet method. a soap water solution so it's just slippery between your fingers. spray both the adhesive side of the laminate and the print and simply squegee out the fluid. works great and no bubbles.

 

[signmeup]

I just do it wet.

 

[omgsideburns]

Big stuff I run through my laminator, small stuff I apply lam wet with rapid tac.

 

[Mosh]

Watch and learn, anything under 10 feet I laminate by hand, way faster!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mibe18lgO9I