Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Tagged: laminating

This topic has 11 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by Karen.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

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March 26, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Karen
Participant
Quick survey question:
How many of you have laminators? Do you really use them?
My mom gave me money for my birthday, intending that I buy a laminator. I’ve lived this long without one, I can’t imagine I need one as bad as my mom thinks, but maybe I do! *L*

Thanks
March 26, 2014 at 10:27 pm
MelissaB
Participant
I have one that I got for a super deal our first year of homeschooling four years ago. I found it at Hancock Fabrics, but it’s just a Scotch brand one that you can pick up in lots of places.
I use it occassionally and am happy I have it, but I wouldn’t say it’s a must have. I use it for both school things and home things. For example, I recently made a blank dinner menu and a chore chart and by laminating them, I can use a wet erase marker on them and reuse each week. I also made a school calendar our first year that we still use and I laminated all the numbers so they would stand up to taking them off the calendar repeatedly. We have laminated game pieces for a My Father’s World geography game we had for our first year. In our 106 Day of Creation science, I laminate my boys’ “days of creation” dividers they make before they put them in their notebooks. Oh and we sometimes make bookmarks and I like to laminate tho for durability.
Now listing all that it sounds like I use it a lot. I guess I have, but it’s not something I use weekly or even monthly, but I am happy I have it. Hope this helps you!
P.S. My sister said Harbor Freight sells laminating pouches really cheap and combine that with a coupon and it’s even better. I am still using the package I have, but will buy them from there when I need more. I just peeked and they sell laminators too ~ http://www.harborfreight.com/9-inch-hot-laminator-92499.html (remember ALWAYS use a coupon – they have 20% and 25% off all the time).
March 26, 2014 at 10:31 pm
suzukimom
Participant
I have drooled over laminators – but I generally just use map-tack to ‘laminate’ things…. and I have heard (but haven’t tried) that you could use a laminator pouch and a clothing iron too….
I’d be more tempted by a pro-click binding system…..
March 26, 2014 at 10:34 pm
sheraz
Participant
I use mine for school, church, and home things. For instance, I laminate the cover of my printed ebooks before I spiral-bind them.
My girls love to design and laminate their paper dolls and then we use double sided tape to dress the dolls.
I am like Melissa – it is not an every week or even necessarily a monthly use item, but I am glad that I have it when I I want it.

March 26, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Mysterious Lady in Pink
Participant
^ yep that ^
I’ve had mine for a few years and I feel just that way. For what they cost, I think they’re worth it for how much use I’ve gotten, but it’s not a critical item.
March 26, 2014 at 11:11 pm
MelissaB
Participant
Oh I do love my Proclick too! I went back and forth and finally got one, then took it back, then regretted it, and finally bought one again. I must say I love my Proclick too! 🙂
March 27, 2014 at 2:18 am
Karen
Participant
Well, when mom suggests something and hands you a check, you sort of feel like that’s what you ought to buy, you know?? *L*
I usually use page protectors if I want to “dry erase” something….I’ve only had one thing laminated in 4 years of homeschooling, and that was too big for the Scotch laminator ($30) that mom suggested I buy. So, in my opinion, I’d get more use out of a proclick binder thing than a laminator!
Maybe I’ll do some research and just tell her I found something else to buy! I have been putting off the purchase of a pro-click, just because of price and finances. And I think a laminator is something I’d put off indefinitely – but since she gave me the money for it, I need to consider it, anyway.
Thanks fo the replies!
March 27, 2014 at 2:25 am
MelissaB
Participant
I got mine at Office Max when they were having a 20% off sale, they are having one this week too and free shipping over $20 so you could get it this week!!! 🙂
March 27, 2014 at 10:21 am
Hope to Learn
Participant
I use these self laminating pages (Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets, 9 x 12 Inches, Box of 50 (73601):
http://www.amazon.com/Avery-Self-Adhesive-Laminating-Sheets-73601/dp/B00007E7D2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395915233&sr=8-1&keywords=self+laminating+pages
They take up very little space on the bookshelf and it is easy to use. It gives you 25 laminated pages for $15. I bought it two years ago and still have not finished the box. It fits well for periodic laminating needs (without the storage of another gadget).
Just mentioning another option for laminating needs.
March 27, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Tristan
Participant
I have a laminator and a Proclick. I get laminating pouches at the same place I get spiral coil for the proclick ( mybinding.com ) and it’s a better deal than anywhere else I’ve bought. I use both in seasons. With so many kids (eight) I like to laminate things that will be reused by younger kids or get a lot of handling. It can be school items like memory work puzzles and games, preschool activities for our activity tubs, or it could be a favorite recipe the kids make (that we dont’ want to reprint 20 times when it gets wet/messy).
I think it’s up to you what you will use – but it is wonderful that you have a mom wanting to bless you with something for your homeschool!
March 27, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Wings2fly
Participant
I don’t mean to get OT, but what do you all use the Proclick for? I have looked, but do not see the necessity. I use cardstock and a stapler for binding school books for math and copywork. I do not own a laminator, but have read you should never laminate important documents, as this ruins them.
March 27, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Karen
Participant
I would imagine using a proclick (I’m starting to talk myself out of the laminator!! *L*) for binding together the portfolio that I have to hand in. Or binding together sections of the student’s notebooks, after the school year – to put in storage (no need for so many bulky three-ring binders that way). Or binding together my school-year-planning papers, so that I can reference them in following years.
Yep, I think I really want a proclick, not a laminator. Of course, then there’s the issue of telling mom (and forking over more of my own cash to cover the cost difference!)