Lamination is crucial in preserving important financial, official, and legal documents and photos. It lasts years and keeps the laminated paper in tip-top condition. But what if you want to undo the lamination from the paper?
It is essential to copy or scan your document. Also, maybe the lamination isn’t appropriate. Knowing how to remove lamination from paper will be an essential trick in such crunch moments. However, it may be challenging for you to undo the lamination.
Thankfully, you can unlaminate something using a heat gun, heated iron, or even hot water. So, let’s jump into finding different ways to unlaminated documents. Also, we will show you the tips and tricks to maintain the quality of the unlaminated paper for proper aftercare.
So, let’s jump into the world of undoing paper lamination.
Materials Needed
Can you unlaminate something? Yes, it’s 100% possible to undo the lamination. But, before you begin the lamination removal process from paper, you must gather a few key materials. The materials depend on how you remove lamination from the paper.
For the heated iron process (Main steps):
- Heated iron: You will need to heat the lamination on the document using a heated iron.
- Ironing board: You will need to place the laminated paper evenly so you can press it firmly with the heated iron.
- Parchment paper: The parchment paper will be between the heated iron and your document working as a buffer zone. So the heat won’t damage the document.
- Plastic scraper – Used to scrape away any leftover lamination or adhesive residue gently.
- Soft cloth – For wiping away any debris or adhesive residue.
- Razor blade or X-acto knife – This will be used to cut the lamination away from the paper carefully.
And for alternative methods, you can use the following options:
- Heat gun or hair dryer: The heat will help soften the adhesive between the lamination and paper. So, you may remove it easily.
- Rubbing alcohol: It helps dissolve any remaining adhesive after the lamination has been removed.
- Hot water: You can also soak the laminated paper in hot water to soften it and remove the lamination shortly.
Now, let’s see how to unlaminate something quickly and shortly.
How to Remove Lamination from Paper? Step-by-Step Guide-
You may quickly remove the lamination from any document with a heated iron. It will take less than 10 minutes and is an easy process. However, you need to apply the heat carefully to avoid burning the paper. Also, you should cut out the laminated edges without cutting off the main document.
Step 1: cut away the edges
First, you must try cutting away the edges of the lamination using a razor blade. Or, you may use an X-acto knife. Be careful not to cut into the paper underneath. For the easiest cutting method, work right underneath a bright LED light.
So, the lamination edges will be visible, making it easy for you to cut through it.
Step 2: Placing the laminated paper on the ironing board
Before you apply the heated iron on the paper, place it evenly on the ironing board. Also, place parchment paper right above it so the heat doesn’t directly affect the paper. If you don’t have any parchment paper, you can use thin clothing as a buffering zone.
Step 3: Heat the laminated paper
Once you have heated the clothing iron, press it firmly over the document. It will warm up the surface of the lamination. You should start on one corner and work across the document, holding the heat source right above the thin cloth above the document. Keep the heated iron about 2-3 inches from the surface if you haven’t put any clothing above it.
Ensure you do not overheat the lamination as it may melt onto the paper.
Step 4: Life up the heated lamination
After warming up the lamination layer with heat, use the plastic scraper to lift the edge gently. It will lift the lamination away from the paper. You must continue working along the edge until you have removed the entire lamination sheet from the document.
Step 5: Finish off the unlaminating process
Sometimes, there can be adhesive residue left on the paper. You may use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth to dissolve and wipe the adhesive gently. If there’s any excess paper, cut it off with scissors or a razor cleanly.
Aftercare of Unlaminated Paper:
There’re a few tips and tricks to undo the document’s lamination. The key is to remove the lamination with patience and care.
- Sometimes, the lamination may not come off easily due to stronger adhesive. If so, apply heat for a longer period.
- Be patient and take your time to undo the lamination from the document. Rushing can damage the paper underneath and ruin your important documents.
- Be careful when using the razor blade or scissors. They are sharp and can be dangerous if not used properly. You should wear gloves to protect your fingers from unwanted cuts.
- After removing the lamination from the paper, let it cool off properly. For the dampened paper, allow it to air dry completely before storing.
- Also, you should store the document in a dry and cool place to prevent any warping or damage.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- You should start with mild heat to undo the lamination. Using too much heat will cause the lamination to melt and damage the paper.
- You mustn’t cut into the paper while removing the lamination with the razor blade. Instead, work around the edges.
- While applying rubbing alcohol, be careful. You should pour and rub a few drops on the adhesive.
Alternative Methods of How to Remove Laminate from papers:
Sometimes, you may not have access to the heated iron, especially at the office or outdoors. Now, you may check the following alternative methods to remove lamination.
- Instead of the heated iron, you may use a hair dryer or heat gun. The key is to heat up the lamination adhesive and undo it from the paper.
- Another way to remove lamination from paper is to soak the document in hot water. You must submerge the document in hot water for 5-10 minutes. After that, you can carefully peel off the lamination. However, this method may not be suitable for all paper types, especially for delicate documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you reuse laminating sheets after removing them from the paper?
No, once a laminating sheet has been removed, you can’t reuse it. The adhesive and paper will wrap and damage it permanently, making it unusable.
- Can you remove the lamination from the photos?
Yes, you can follow the same process to remove lamination from photos. However, be extra careful when using the razor blade to avoid damaging the image. As you remove the laminate layer from photos, apply mild heat to keep the image colour intact.
- Can lamination be removed from all types of paper?
Some paper types may be too delicate or thin to remove lamination. Also, it may damage the document during the removal process. Also, it works nicely on bond paper, postcards, etc., because of their thickness. So, you should test a small corner of the document before removing the entire lamination sheet.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to remove lamination from paper, it’s time you test it. Remember that unlaminating any document isn’t as daunting as it appears. Maintaining proper heat and cutting off the edges rightly will take only a few minutes.
You can use heated iron, hair dryer, or a heat gun to remove the laminated layer. So, choose the right material for removing the lamination according to your preference.