Lamination is the process of covering an item (usually paper of some type) in plastic film; the film is either applied using heat or pressure sensitive adhesives to bond the plastic to the item. There are several different types of machines that can be used for this purpose. Packaging machines help businesses package their products in a way that ensures the item will arrive at the desired destination with as little damage as possible. Both packaging and lamination machines are invaluable to many types of businesses.

Laminators come in two basic types; those that use heat (hot laminators) and those that do not (cold laminators). For most applications, hot laminators are an appropriate choice, as the heat allows the plastic film to better adhere to the item, which provides a stronger surface. Cold laminators use very strong adhesive in order to bond the plastic film; this type of lamination is appropriate for items that cannot handle the high heat, such as certain historical documents.

There are over fifty types of packaging machines, each designed to perform a specific function. There is equipment for labelling, for strapping, for taping and for filling and for almost every other packaging need. These machines are usually separate units, but there are some companies that will build an integrated system to meet a variety of needs.

The sheer amount of packaging and lamination machines can be overwhelming. The best way to find the right machine for your purposes is to explore some of the many sites listing different types of these invaluable machines.