As everyone in the industry is aware, Pacprint is on from May 23rd to 26th and Lamination System will definitely be there!

We always have a stand at the Pacprint and Printex trade shows, as it is a good chance to catch up with everybody and see what's new in the industry.

Our trusted favourites will be on display, including the Minibond 380 & 520 Desktop Celloglazer, Sign Master Applicator Table,  QLAM Iris 72WF S2 Automatic Laminator and our favourite Wide Format Laminator, the Sign Master 1600 Plus (if you missed our newsletter, read here why it's our favourite). These machines all have a trusted name and reputation for quality and reliability, so be sure to ask for a demonstration and see what makes them different from other machines on the market.

We're also expecting to launch a couple of new machines at the show, which is very exciting for us and will provide new options for those of you in the market for an Automatic Digital Celloglazer. Stay tuned for more information on these units over the coming weeks.

We hope you have your trip to Pacprint booked... let us know in the comments below if you are attending. Be sure to visit Matt, Sarah & Dylan on stand E60 to check out our new machines. We look forward to seeing you there!

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We are excited that our next order of QLam machines has left Barcelona and is on it's way

Not only does this shipment contain more of the popular Series 2 Iris 52WF and Iris 72WF Automatic Laminators but it also includes our new, completely automatic 350mm wide SAB-35WF Laminator. This new machine is similar to the SAB-35 but with the addition of a feeder, to make the laminating process fully automated.

Customers are often asking us for an Automatic Digital Celloglazer smaller than the Iris models. We're hoping this modified SAB-35 can help fill this gap.

Every laminator we sell gets tested by our experienced technicians once it arrives at our workshop to make sure everything is in working order and the machine is ready to use when you take it out the box. The guys can not wait to unpack the new model and get it up and running. Be sure to stay tuned for more info and pictures in the coming weeks.

All going to plan we will have this machine available on our Pacprint stand in May, so come and visit Matt & Sarah on stand E60 for a demonstration.

If you put in a little effort looking after your laminator, you will not only increase its working life but ensure the quality of your work stays top notch.

It goes without saying that the rollers and their general condition are the single most important part of any laminator. Once damaged, they will create imperfections that can only be fixed by replacing them. Glue build up from laminating film and pouches is the number one cause of roller damage, so keep them clean to avoid this. Sticky, glue covered rollers will also contribute to jammed pouches in your laminator.

Most roll laminators and pouch laminators are cleaned with the following products:

• Kerosene for hot laminators with rubber type rollers (silicon, edpm, nitrile). The oil base also helps rejuvenate the rubber while cleaning.
• White spirits for steel / chrome rollers and non-heated rubber rollers.

To clean your rollers follow these steps:

• Remove any covers or guards as required

• Heat helps to soften glue build-up enabling it to removed quicker. So to make cleaning easy, heat the machine to normal operating temperature, remove the film from the machine and then set it rotating for several minutes to really get the rollers hot

• Using a Chux or other lint-free cloth and your chosen cleaning fluid, stop the rollers and clean the accessible area, then rotate the machine a little to get to the next section.

• If you cannot stop your rollers turning, set it as slow as possible and clean while they are rotating. Just be extra careful your cloth and fingers don't get caught!

• Be patient and thorough. Keep your cloth wet and change it regularly. Depending on the model of laminator - don't forget to clean the heat shoes as well.

• Never use anything sharp to remove glue or objects from your laminator. This could lead to permanent damage.

Tip: As this can be a smelly job, it may be better to schedule your cleaning for Friday afternoons to limit workmate complaints. However, there are low fume alternatives such as Qlam's LIMP35 Citrus cleaner, which we have in stock.

Or if it all sounds too complicated, we have service division who can clean and service your pouch laminator or roll laminator for you. Contact us on 1300 099 030 or send us an email for more information or to book your laminator service today!

At Lamination System we service and repair all makes and styles of roll machines and pouch laminators.

With the added benefit of being machine manufacturers, our comprehensive tool shop carries a supply of parts and is operated by technicians that have many years experience in carrying out repairs to common roll and pouch machines.

• Start with good quality pouches. This can be easier said than done, as the composition of pouches varies significantly from brand-to-brand and may even vary between the different batches from the same brand. A good quality pouch will have sufficient glue to ensure the laminate sticks, but not so much glue that it oozes out all over your rollers. We import our own pouches from trusted manufacturers that we have been working with for many years and who manufacture to our requirements. We only stock high-quality, photographic-grade pouches that we would want to use ourselves. You can check out our range here for more information.

• Always place the document being laminated against the sealed/leading edge of the pouch.  This will act as a support for the pouch as it feeds through the machine and should prevent the pouch from becoming stuck or wrapped around the rollers.  Using the correct size pouch for your document will also prevent this.

• Set your machine to the correct heat and speed for the thickness of pouch you are using (refer to your user guide). If your laminated document is cloudy wait a further 5 minutes and feed through again. If your laminated document is warped, wavy or wrinkled, adjust the temperature lower, wait for the ready light and try again. If the machine is set too hot and the pouches are overheated, the plastic gets really soft and can jam in your machine. Having the machine too hot is also a sure fire way to end up with excess glue build up on your rollers and leave you with a sticky mess!

• Keeping your rollers clean and free from glue will prolong the life of your machine and help stop pouches getting stuck in the rollers. To help keep your rollers clean, feed through a plain manila folder or other similar uncoated cardstock after each batch of laminating. This will absorb and remove any excess glue from the rollers. Never remove pouches or glue with sharp objects as these may irreparably damage the roller.

• Always keep an eye on the machine while laminating... do not feed a pouch in and walk away or do something else. This way if a pouch starts to jam you will be able to hold down the reverse button and remove the pouch rather than it disappearing into the machine never to be seen again (well, at least not until you bring your machine to us and one of our techs removes it for you!). What if your machine doesn't have a reverse button, you ask?  Invest in a good quality A3 Pouch Laminator such as these... which ALL have a reverse function as a standard feature.

We know many of these tips may be pretty simple and seem like common sense, but not a week goes by where we don't service a pouch machine for these exact reasons. Be sure to keep them in mind next time you're laminating, but remember we have technicians on stand-by if something does go wrong! Just give them a call toll free on 1300 099 030 or send them an email.

Watch this space... next week we will post some tips on how to give your rollers a more thorough cleaning.