| The GBC Ultima 65 is a 27" roll laminator that is | | | | or 10mil film then this machine won't be a good fit for |
| primarily used by schools, quick printers, daycares, | | | | you. It is also limited to a one inch core size. This |
| churches and pre-schools. In fact, it is the most popular | | | | means that the cardboard core that the film is |
| roll laminator used in the United States. Chances are, if | | | | wrapped around has to be 1" in diameter. This limitation |
| you go into a school and ask them what type of | | | | essentially eliminates the ability to run specialty |
| laminator that they have they will tell you that it is an | | | | laminating films since they are usually only available on |
| Ultima65. However, just because a lot of people use it | | | | 2.25" and 3" cores. |
| doesn't mean that it will be a good fit for you. This | | | | The Ultima65 is also not equipped for doing mounting |
| review will look at the features, limitations and | | | | (the rollers cannot be gapped) and is not a good |
| construction of the GBC Ultima 65 roll laminator. | | | | solution for doing cold process lamination. If you need |
| Features: | | | | to do any of these things then you will most likely need |
| One of the best features of the Ulitma 65 is that it is | | | | to move up to the next level of laminator available on |
| capable of handling laminating rolls up to 27 inches in | | | | the market (probably the GBC Catena 65). This isn't to |
| width. Film is loaded onto the machine in pairs of | | | | say that the Ultima is a bad machine; on the contrary, it |
| matched rolls of laminate. The Ultima65 is incredibly | | | | does exactly what it is supposed to do. It just isn't |
| versatile and includes the ability to accept rolls as | | | | designed for professional and specialty applications. |
| narrow as 9" in width and as wide a 27 inches. Most | | | | There were two other things that I noticed when I was |
| users choose a 25" wide roll for this laminator. | | | | testing this machine. First, it has a very long warm up |
| However, special projects may warrant a different | | | | time. In fact it can take 10-15 minutes to warm up. If |
| width of laminate. | | | | you are standing by the laminator waiting to laminate |
| This machine is capable of accepting 1.2mil, 1.5mil, 1.7mil | | | | something this can be very painful. Thus, it is a good |
| and 3mil laminating films. However, most users choose | | | | idea to turn the machine on well before you are ready |
| either a 1.5mil or a 3mil film for their machine. The most | | | | to start. Second, I found switching the laminating film to |
| common film for this machine is a 25" x 500' roll of | | | | be somewhat difficult on this machine. Every time I go |
| 1.5mil film (GBC Part number 3000004). This is worth | | | | to switch the film I end up having to pull out the |
| noting since this particular size of roll is usually more | | | | instructions and look at the diagrams. However, if you |
| cost effective to run since it is more popular and | | | | end up loading the film backwards you can end up |
| produced in greater quantities. However, if you are | | | | with a huge mess. This just means that you are going |
| looking for a more premium look and feel for your | | | | to want to make sure that you are very careful when |
| laminated documents you might consider moving up to | | | | loading the machine. |
| a 3mil film. | | | | Construction: |
| The Ultima 65 also includes a reverse feature to help | | | | The Ultima 65 is built well and is designed for daily use |
| with potential film jams. It also includes a convenient | | | | in a school environment. The sides are plastic, the |
| trimmer on the back of the machine to help you quickly | | | | frame and the feed tray are metal. However, the |
| and easily cut your laminated materials away from the | | | | most common problems with this machine usually are |
| machine (you will still need to trim the laminated | | | | caused by users and not design issues. Items that are |
| materials with a pair of scissors or zippy knife after | | | | textured, contain glitter or are sharp should never be |
| they are removed from the laminator). | | | | loaded into the laminator as they can damage the |
| Even though these are great features it is important to | | | | rollers. Additionally, the film should never be run |
| note that most schools and companies don't buy the | | | | backwards or with only one roll on the machine this will |
| machine because it is incredibly feature rich. Instead it is | | | | cause the film to stick to the rollers. Sharp objects |
| the most popular machine on the market because it | | | | should never be used to clean the rollers (using a 3M |
| one of the simplest to operate. It has an easy to use | | | | scotch bright scouring pad is the recommended |
| intuitive keypad without a lot of confusing buttons and | | | | method for cleaning the rollers). Other than that, the |
| knobs. Many other laminators require you to adjust the | | | | machine is highly durable and if it does have problems, |
| heat and speed and to get the setting just right. | | | | parts are readily available. |
| However, the Ultima65 is designed for teachers and | | | | Recommendation: |
| parent volunteers who rarely use a laminator and don't | | | | For a school, pre-school or church I would highly |
| have a lot of training. | | | | recommend the Ultima 65. It is incredibly simple to use, |
| Limitations: | | | | doesn't require a lot of maintenance and is a cost |
| The Ultima is designed for laminating banners, signs, | | | | effective solution. However, for users who need a |
| visual aids and documents. It does all of these things | | | | laminator for specialty applications this is probably not |
| very well. However, there are some things that it does | | | | the right fit. |
| not do. It will not accept laminating films that are thicker | | | | For more information or to purchase the GBC Ultima |
| than 3mil. If you think that you might need to use a 5mil | | | | 65 27" School Laminator visit MyBinding. |