This tiny laminator meets many expectations and exceeds many others. It heats up reasonably quickly (the manual indicates approx. 3-5min for warmup; it's not ever taken more than 3min for me), and maintains a consistent temp during use without fear of overheating (I've run the machine for periods of 12-15min, and temp remained constant throughout).
It can be a bit tricky to perfectly align the sheet being fed into the machine (as there are no real "guide rails"), but the machine is forgiving enough that even a noticeably-crooked feed still produces a properly laminated final product, with only the slightest edge-curl.
Because of it's compact size, the laminator cools quickly. By the time I've hole-punched and organized my laminated documents, the machine is cool enough to be unplugged and returned to storage.
I have Elementary and Middle school-aged kids, and they've all been able to use the laminator with minimal supervision (i.e., it's extremely simple and SAFE to operate). While I wouldn't recommend it for any sort of commercial or bulk-laminating purposes, it's a perfect home-use machine for school projects, important documents, and even just...for fun (my daughters have taken to drawing silly pictures, writing little Post-It note messages, and putting other random bits in a laminating sleeve, cutting them out, and trading them like baseball cards).
Finally, the package arrived in a VERY timely manner (it came well-packed in only TWO DAYS, which is beyond respectable during these strange, pandemic-influenced times). The vendor was courteous and communicative, and off shipped the item with a tidy "If You Have Any Questions..." contact card.
Pros:
- Affordable, entry-level machine for basic laminating tasks
- Reasonably quick warm-up time
- Consistent temperatures during extended use
- Easy to use, even for younger students
- Includes laminating pouches and two (2) finishing tools
- Lamination speed comparable to higher-priced machines
- Friendly, considerate vendor
Cons:
- Not well-suited for larger laminating jobs (neither in SIZE nor QUANTITY of documents)
Overall:
- At the listed price, and with the inclusion of multiple differently-sized laminating pouches and two finishing tools, this machine is perfect for home use, without digging too deeply into your wallet. It's a quality product that produces quality results. If you're on the fence about investing in a laminating machine, the Crenova A4 Thermal Laminator is a great budget-level machine that delivers beyond-budget-level results.
| Manufacturer | Crenova |
|---|---|
| Brand | Crenova |
| Item Weight | 1.81 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13.78 x 4.13 x 3.15 inches |
| Item model number | Black |
| Sheet Size | A4 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | CL |
