Teacher Tip - Fix Botched Laminating Job

Don’t you hate it when you send something through the laminator before it’s hot enough? Part of the plastic fuses to your poster and part separates. If you try to peel off the coating, it will ruin the poster in the spot it stuck. But if you leave it loose, the poster wrinkles up and the glare makes it impossible to read anyway. The struggle is real. But there’s hope. Before you run out and replace the botched laminate job, try this.

You will need:

*iron

*heat resistant surface

*unprinted newsprint (Printed newspaper will leave ink marks on the laminate)

*Pin or needle

Heat iron to medium high-high heat. If it’s a steam iron, make sure there is no water in it.

Lay poster with botched laminate on a heat resistant surface.

Cover unfused area with newsprint.

Iron from one end to the other in smooth, slow strokes.

Check to see if laminate has fused.

If an air bubble appears, puncture the center of the plastic with a pin.

Replace newsprint and iron any unstuck areas again.

Flip the piece over and repeat.

Viola! Good as new!