Extra Examples, Ideas and/or Instructions

How to Laminate Printable Playing Cards

The printable playing cards show here have been printed on cream-colored card stock, which is a heavier paper than regular computer paper.

The blank sides of the playing cards have been printed with a background-design printable that is also available. Printing a design on the backs on the cards is an option, and isn't necessary.

Laminating does take some practice. If this is the first time that you will be laminating, you might want to practice on card-sized pieces of paper before you begin to laminate the actual playing cards.

Be sure to read the instructions that come with the laminating sheets. The instructions usually offer helpful hints for the laminating process.

Instruction Picture below instruction:

Print the playing cards. If desired, reprint the blank side of the playing cards with using a design printable. Print on plain computer paper or on card stock.

Trim the playing cards. You can trim along the heavy black line as shown, to create rounded corners, or you can cut the cards in “squares” (to save time).

Peel back a portion of the paper backing from the sheet of laminate. Some brands of laminate come with a backing paper that can be peeled easily (the paper backing is pre-cut). If the laminate backing paper is not pre-cut, start at one corner, separate the laminate backing paper with a fingernail, and then peel back some of the paper, as shown. As you work with the laminate, try to only touch the very edges of the sheet with just the tip of your finger or fingernail. Use your other hand to hold onto the non-sticky side of the sheet or the backing paper so that you can work with the exposed sticky side. It takes some practice.

Peel back enough laminate backing paper so that you can put two playing cards on the sticky side of the laminate. Place the cards with at least an inch between them. This will allow enough of an edge around each card so that the laminate will stick to itself nicely. When the cards are on the laminate, smooth with your fingertips, applying enough pressure onto the cards to insure than the card is completely stuck to the laminate. Try not to touch the sticky part of the laminate.

Peel back more of the laminate backing paper. Turn the whole sheet of laminate over. Fold the sheet about an inch above the top of the cards. This step can be tricky. Take your time to insure that you begin to stick the laminate to itself evenly. As you fold, line up the edges of the laminate. When the edges are lined up, press the laminate to itself, above the tops of the playing cards. Peel the backing paper slowly. Using your fingertips, apply even pressure as the laminate sticks to itself. The key is to go slowly, do just a little at a time, keep applying even pressure to avoid air bubbles.

As you can see from this view, the laminate backing paper is peeled away and the laminate sticks to itself, sealing the playing card between the two layers.

This shows the two playing cards, sealed in a single sheet of laminate.

You can use the flat edge of a ruler to smooth out any little air bubbles that might be left.

Trim the playing cards. Be sure to leave at least 1/4-inch around the edges of the playing cards. This provides a nicely sealed edge, keeping the cards completely sealed. If you trim the corners with a rounded edge, the laminate will be less likely to pull apart.

This shows the cards, front and back.

Laminating does take some time, and it can be a little tricky. You might want to practice using plain pieces of paper before beginning to laminate the printed playing cards.

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