If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a film laminating machine series gathering dust in your warehouse, shop floor, or even tucked away in a corner of your office—maybe because it’s a slower season, or you’ve got a big job that meant putting smaller projects on hold, or you just plain forgot about it for a minute. I’ve been supplying film laminating machines for over 12 years, and let me tell you, I’ve seen way too many people treat these things like they’re just another box of office supplies, only to find them rusted, clogged, or half-broken when they go to use them again. That’s a huge waste of money, right? A good commercial laminator isn’t cheap, and skimping on storage when it’s not in use can turn a $2,000 machine into a $500 doorstop real quick. Film Laminating Machine Series
Today, I’m walking you through exactly how to store our film laminating machine series (and honestly, most other brands too—since we’ve tested this stuff over and over) so it stays in tip-top shape, ready to roll the second you need it. No fancy jargon, no confusing steps, just stuff I’ve learned from clients calling me panicking about their machines sitting idle for a month, then dying when they try to run a 500-piece order.
First off, let’s get the most obvious (but most skipped) step out of the way: prep the machine before you even think about moving it to storage. I don’t care if you’re tucking it away for 2 weeks or 2 years—skip this part and you’re setting yourself up for trouble. The biggest culprit here is leftover adhesive or film residue. When laminating, even if you think you wiped the rollers clean, tiny bits of film glue or plastic gunk harden on the rollers. Over time, that turns into a crusty mess that sticks to new film when you run it next, causes bubbles, or even scratches the rollers (which can’t be fixed, by the way—you have to replace them, and that’s a huge cost).
Here’s how we recommend prepping it: Grab a lint-free microfiber cloth (don’t use paper towels—they leave tiny fibers that get stuck), and a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. No bleach, no harsh chemicals like Windex—those can break down the machine’s plastic or metal parts over time. If you’ve got our official roller cleaning solution (we sell it cheap for this exact thing), perfect. If not, a tiny bit of dish soap mixed with warm water works. Gently wipe every roller, the feed tray, the output tray, the control panel, and even the inside of the door where you load film. Then, run a blank sheet of kraft paper (not regular copy paper—it’s too thin and can leave lint) through the machine. That will catch any leftover gunk you missed. If you’ve got a hot laminator, turn it on for 5 minutes to warm up first—this softens any leftover adhesive, making it way easier to wipe off. Just don’t leave it on while it’s in storage, obviously.
Next, remove the film and laminating rolls. This is another thing people mess up. They just leave the roll sitting on the spindle, tight and wound, and then when they come back, it’s stretched, wrinkled, or even stuck to the spindle. If you have leftover film that’s still in good shape, rewind it loosely onto its original core (don’t wind it super tight—too much tension can warp the film) and put it in a cool, dry place, not leaning against a wall where it can get bent. If it’s used up, throw it away. For the spindle: loosen it, wipe it down with the same microfiber cloth, and if you’re not going to use the machine for more than a month, remove the spindle entirely and store it in a plastic bag to keep dust off. I’ve had clients leave a roll on the spindle for 6 months and come back to find the spindle rusted and the roll glued to it—total nightmare.
Now, pick the right storage spot. This isn’t sticking it in the back of your warehouse where it rains or leaning it against a hot water heater, guys. Laminators are made of metal and plastic, and extreme temperatures, humidity, and dust are their kryptonite. Let’s break it down: humidity is the biggest enemy. If you store a laminator in a damp basement or a garage that gets muggy in the summer, moisture will get inside the motor, rust the rollers, and cause electrical issues. I had a client last year who stored his machine in his unheated garage for the winter—come spring, the motor was corroded, and it cost him $800 to fix. So aim for a spot with 40-50% humidity, if you can. A spare office, a climate-controlled storage unit, or the back of a dry retail space works. Temperature is next: don’t put it somewhere that gets over 90°F (32°C) or below 32°F (0°C). Extreme heat can melt plastic parts and make the lubricant in the motor go bad, while freezing temps can crack the rollers. Dust is the third big one. A half-open warehouse door or a workshop with sawdust will get inside the machine’s vents, clogging the motor and making it overheat when you use it next. So make sure the spot is as dust-free as possible, or you’ll have to clean the vents super good when you take it out.
Once you’ve got the spot, how do you actually position the machine? Don’t lay it down on its side or back, and don’t stack anything on top of it. Laminators have internal components that are designed to sit upright—laying it down can warp the rollers, damage the motor belts, or even cause grease to leak into parts you don’t want it to. I’ve seen a client lay his machine on its side to fit it in his truck, then when he set it back up, the top roller was bent so bad it only touched half the sheet of film—ruined an entire order of posters for his shop. It’s fine to tilt it slightly to move it, but when it’s in storage, stand it straight, either on its wheels if it has them (ours do, for easy moving) or set it on a sturdy table or the floor, away from walls so air can circulate around it. Pro tip: if you’ve got the original packaging, keep it. Most of our machines come with a plastic dust cover—put that on when it’s in storage. If you don’t have the original, a large plastic garbage bag (the heavy-duty kind, not thin ones) works, but make sure to poke a few tiny holes in the bottom so moisture can escape. Seal it up, but don’t wrap it so tight it traps humidity.
Wait, what about the electrical part? A lot of people forget about this. Unplug the machine! Don’t just turn it off—unplug it from the wall. That’s basic, but I’ve seen clients leave it plugged in, with the power cord tangled, for months. Tangled cords can get frayed, and leaving it plugged in means even when it’s off, small parts of the machine are drawing power, which can lead to issues. Also, if you have a long power cord, wrap it loosely (again, not tight—tight wrapping can kink the cord and damage the wires inside) and tuck it somewhere safe, not under the machine where it can get stepped on or crushed. If the cord is damaged at all, fix it before storage—don’t leave a frayed cord lying around, that’s a fire hazard when you go to use it.
Oh, and if you’re storing it for more than 6 months, there are a few extra steps. First, lubricate the motor parts (check your user manual—we include a small tube of lubricant with every machine, and we can send you extra if you need it). Don’t over-lubricate, just a tiny amount on the moving parts. Then, if you have a hot laminator, run a blank sheet of anti-static paper through it once a month? Wait no, actually, if it’s in long-term storage, just make sure the rollers aren’t touching anything. Another thing: label the machine so you remember what it is, and if you have any replacement parts (extra rollers, knives for cutting film), store them with the machine. I’ve had clients store their machine for a year, forget they had extra rollers, and buy new ones when they didn’t need to.
Now, let’s talk about common mistakes I see all the time. First, people use paper towels to clean the rollers. Paper towels have wood pulp, which leaves tiny fibers that get stuck in the rollers. By the time you go to use it again, those fibers get pressed into the film, leaving little bumps all over. Lint-free microfiber cloths are the way to go—they’re cheap, and you can reuse them for months. Second, leaving the film roll on the spindle. If you leave it, it will develop a “set” from being wound tight, so when you unroll it, it’s wrinkled and hard to feed through the machine. Third, storing the machine with the door open. The door is there to keep dust and moisture out—leaving it open lets everything get in, and the rollers can collect dust. Always close the door before storing. Fourth, putting it near chemicals. If you store it next to cleaning supplies, paint, or other harsh chemicals, the fumes can get inside the machine and damage the plastic and metal parts over time.
When it’s time to take it out of storage, don’t just plug it in and start laminating. Give it a once-over: check for rust on the rollers, make sure all the parts are working, run a blank sheet of kraft paper through it to make sure there’s no residue left. If you followed these steps, it should work just like it did when you first got it.
Look, I get it—storing equipment is a hassle, especially when you’re busy running a business. But taking 20 minutes to prep your laminating machine before tucking it away saves you hundreds of dollars in repairs, and avoids the panic of missing a big order because your machine is broken. If you’re not sure about anything—whether it’s how to clean your specific model, or you need replacement parts like dust covers or roller cleaner—just reach out to our team. We’re not just here to sell you a machine; we’re here to help you keep it running for years.
Whether you’re a small print shop, a marketing agency that does in-house posters, or a school that uses laminators for projects, taking care of your film laminating machine series is just as important as taking care of any other tool you use daily. Don’t let a little neglect turn a great machine into wasted money. If you’re looking to upgrade your current setup, or just need help with storage tips for your existing one, hit us up to chat about your needs. We’ll hook you up with all the info you need to keep your laminators working hard, even when they’re not in use.
Turning Machine References:
- International Association of Printing House Craftsmen. "Proper Storage and Maintenance of Laminating Equipment." 2021.
- Specialty Graphic Imaging Association. "Commercial Laminator Care Guide." 2022.
- Film and Paper Laminators Manufacturers Association. "Best Practices for Long-Term Equipment Storage." 2020.
- Industrial Equipment Maintenance Journal. "Humidity and Temperature Effects on Office Printing and Laminating Machinery." 2023.
Zhejiang Dai’s Printing Machine Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Dai’s Printing Machine Co., Ltd. is one of the most experienced film laminating machine manufacturers and suppliers in China, also supports customized service. Please rest assured to buy bulk durable film laminating machine at low price from our factory. For pricelist, contact us now.
Address: No. 797, Nanming Road, Shuige Industrial Park, Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
E-mail: 3376094828@qq.com
WebSite: https://www.dais-machine.com/
