GBC Ultima 35 EZ load Thermal Roll Laminator

CarolAnn

I’m dragging my feet in making my final decision on buying this laminator. If you own this machine, can you comment whether you’ve had any trouble with it using the 1.7 mm film Mark suggests? In reading the reviews, I’m reading that the machine is troublesome. Buying directly from GBC, the machine is over $700. There are used models available on eBay but I’m afraid of buying a broken machine. They are also available on Amazon for a few hundred dollars less than buying directly from the manufacturer.

if you have any experience with this model using the 1.7 mm film, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Thank you!

KingstonFineArt

$700 is a lot of paint. A lot of prints. Acrylic spay using several coats will do the same job. Better. 

Richard_P

I agree with Kingston

CarolAnn

Wow, I’m glad I asked! Can you tell me which brand and any instructions on how to do it? There’s nothing I need less than an expensive piece of equipment that doesn’t work! 

CarolAnn

Just did a search and I see your previous advice. Thank you! I’ll search for the spray and will give it a try. 

tassieguy

I'd like to try this. But what is acrylic spray? Can anyone point us to a brand so we can check it out? Until now I have just used a bit of clear plastic over the photo. When it gets covered in swatches of paint I toss it and get another bit. But I like the idea of covering a photo print with a clear spay so that I can dab paint directly onto the photo then wipe off. Is that how you use this "acrylic spray"? I wouldn't  buy a laminator. As @CarolAnn said, the last last thing I need is " an expensive piece of equipment that doesn’t [may not] work".  Thanks for any info on this.    

dencal

Rob

I bought a can of CrystalClear for this purpose following Kingston’s recommendation a few years back.
I think it was WestArt brand. Can’t find a picture. 

As it turned out I was quite happy eyeballing the values from a photo without spraying. If push came to shove I could just dab on the edge of a card to compare.

Anyhow, here are three equivalent products from Bunnings or Art stores all about $13.




Sorry for the large pics. They won’t resize.

Denis

KingstonFineArt

Krylon clear coat uv resistant Matte or gloss matte is best for testing color on. This is the stuff you spray on digital prints to help with uv protection.

I bought a case of a brand that no longer exists 15 years ago. Down to the last can.



https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K01305-Coatings-11-Ounce-UV-Resistant/dp/B00397STRW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=237ZCX0010JXI&keywords=krylon+uv+resistant+clear+acrylic+coating&qid=1646231650&sprefix=krylon%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1

tassieguy

Thank you, @Dencal and @KingstonFineArt. All these brands are all available here in Tasmania. Looking forward to trying it. 

KingstonFineArt

I'd use matte finish