A laminator is a handy machine to have in a school for preserving kids' artwork, protecting signs, and designing posters. But with today's school budgets being so tight, it's even more important to ensure that money isn't being wasted on unnecessary equipment. To answer schools' dilemma, DryLam came up with the School-Lam 27" School Laminator. This machine offers only the basic features needed in a school environment while being budget friendly. Here's a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of the DryLam School Laminator.

Strengths:

• The designers made this machine extremely easy to use even for the most inexperienced users. There are only two switches to operate: on/off and forward/reverse. The on/off switch applies to the motor and the heater. Forward is self-explanatory. The reverse functions aids in the correction of a misfeed.
• Since this machine is made to be used around children, it's built to be safe. A locking key switch helps to prevent use by unauthorized personnel. And an incorporated safety shield protects small fingers that may be tempted to mess with the device while in use.
• This machine accommodates films up to 27 inches wide. This is perfect for artwork, signage, reusable charts, and any other items teachers may need. Everything is processed at a fixed rate of five feet per minute.
• There is an adjustable feed guide to help things stay aligned when entering the machine. An adjustable temperature control allows you to choose the optimum temperature for your items.
• This device is specifically designed to work with School Grade Laminating Films either 1.5mil or 3 mil. This size is excellent for getting the protection you need without spending too much on laminating films.
• A hand held slitter conveniently stores on the machine for accessibility.
• DryLam backs this machine with a one year warranty.

Weaknesses:

• This machine weighs about 73 pounds. While this isn't overly heavy, it will be bulky to move around. If you're seriously considering this specific machine, we suggest going with the Complete School Kit, which contains this machine and everything you need to get started, including a cabinet mounted on casters for easy mobility.
• The speed is fixed at five feet per minute. This is a decent pace and won't be much of a problem for most school items. However, if your office is looking for a faster device or one offering more control over the speed, we suggest the Royal Sovereign RSL-2701.
• Cold lamination isn't offered on this device. Most school items will be fine with hot lamination and this won't be a problem. Just make sure you don't use it with any heat sensitive items, such as photographs or color copies.

As you can see, the DryLam School-Lam is perfectly suited for use in a school or church setting. It offers basic functions at an affordable price for a convenient and efficient laminator. With a locking key switch and a safety guard, it's safe to use around curious children. And non-tech savvy teachers will appreciate the simple operation. We think this is an excellent choice for a school laminator.