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How to Laminate Handmade Paper

To laminate means to enclose a substance between sheets of plastic, essentially sealing it. This gives a level of permanence to items, like paper, that are affected by environmental factors like moisture, dirt, as well as wear and tear. The easiest and most cost effective way to laminate handmade, or any other type of paper product, is to use a self laminating system. No costly machines are needed and whether you opt for a heat sensitive laminate or a self adhesive laminate, they are made for any do-it-yourself application

Things You'll Need

  • Self-adhesive cold press laminate sheets
  • Work table
  • Scissors
  • Heat sensitive laminate sheets
  • Cotton T shirt
  • Clothes iron
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Instructions

  1. Self Adhesive Lamination

    • 1

      Spread one sheet of self adhesive laminate onto any work table. A kitchen table or utility table works just fine.

    • 2

      Place your handmade paper in the center of the laminate sheet. It doesn't have to be exact, just make sure there is about an inch of laminate overlap on each side.

    • 3

      Place another sheet of self adhesive laminate over the top of the paper, once again making sure there is about an inch of overlap.

    • 4

      Press the laminate sheets together using the palm of your hand. Smooth them down from top to bottom to remove any wrinkles and air bubbles. The sheets will adhere together and create a virtually air-tight seal over the handmade paper. This method uses no heat and, depending upon the fragile nature of the handmade paper, will be the safest method of lamination.

    • 5

      Trim to size with your scissors.

    Heat Sensitive Lamination

    • 6

      Take one sheet of heat sensitive laminate and place it down flat on any work table. Although any kitchen or utility table will work, you will be adding heat, so to avoid any damage, an unfinished wooden table or a steel table will work best.

    • 7

      Position your handmade paper as close to the center of the laminate sheet as possible, but again, it does not have to be exact. Allow approximately an inch of laminate to overlap the paper

    • 8

      Position a second sheet of heat sensitive laminate over the paper and allow an inch of overlap.

    • 9

      Turn on a household iron to the "cotton" setting and let it warm up.

    • 10

      Place the laminate sheets with the paper inside the cotton T shirt. Smooth the shirt so it is flat, then iron over the shirt. The heat from the iron will fuse the laminate sheets together and make a durable seal. Trim to size with your scissors.

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