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How to Laminate Artwork

You can laminate and protect your artwork before framing or displaying it to protect a piece from dirt or fingerprints, without using expensive heat-sealing machinery or taking your artwork to a professional, by using a self-adhesive laminating film. Laminating film comes on rolls in a variety of sizes to laminate small to large pieces of artwork. Using a few cutting tools you can laminate your work at home and achieve professional-looking results.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Self-adhesive laminating roll
  • Pencil
  • Rotary cutter or scissors
  • Self-healing mat (optional)
  • Ruler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the finished size of your artwork using a measuring tape.

    • 2

      Measure and cut a piece of self-adhesive laminating film 1 inch wider and longer than your artwork. Roll out the film on a large surface, mark the measurements on the film with a pencil and cut the film using either a rotary cutter or scissors. To use a rotary cutter you must place a self-healing mat underneath it to protect your furniture.

    • 3

      Peel off about 1 inch of the backing paper on the film; attach the exposed 1-inch sticky area of the film to the side edge of a table. You will be rolling the sheet of film over your artwork on this table, so you'll want to work a smooth surface such as glass, plastic or varnished wood. The film will not permanently stick to smooth or shiny surfaces.

    • 4

      Place your artwork flush with the edge of the table, centering the artwork in the middle of the film. Make sure the film will overlap at least 1/2-inch on either side of the artwork to leave a border that you can trim.

    • 5

      Pull the backing from the laminating film a couple of inches at a time and press the film onto the artwork. Lamination film is pressure-sensitive, so use a soft cloth to rub the film over the artwork to make it stick, remove air bubbles and create a smooth, finished appearance. Continue to pull the backing from the film and rubbing the film onto the artwork until you have covered the entire piece with film.

    • 6

      Peel the artwork from the surface carefully.

    • 7

      Trim the excess film from the edges of the artwork using your rotary tool or scissors. Work slowly to cut a straight edge along the edges of your artwork.

Fine Art

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