When protecting important documents, photos, or projects, lamination provides a professional finish and long-lasting durability. Staples, one of the largest office supply retailers in the United States, offers this service in most locations, making it a convenient option for students, professionals, and small businesses. Understanding how much Staples charges to laminate helps customers budget effectively and choose the right option for their specific needs.
Standard Lamination Pricing at Staples
Base pricing at Staples typically follows a per-inch model, where the cost correlates with the final size of the laminated piece. Smaller formats like business cards or standard letter-sized documents are generally the most affordable. Larger items such as posters, banners, or legal-sized materials require more materials and processing time, resulting in higher prices. Many stores also apply a flat fee per item for complex jobs that involve cutting to specific dimensions or intricate shaping.
Size-Based Price Breakdown
Lamination Thickness and Material Options
The type of lamination requested significantly impacts the final price. Staples usually offers a standard thickness, which is sufficient for everyday protection against dust, moisture, and wear. Upgrading to a thicker gauge provides enhanced rigidity and durability, which is essential for items that face heavy handling or outdoor use. The choice between glossy and matte finishes is generally included in the base price, though premium materials may carry a slight additional cost.
Thickness Tiers and Their Uses
Standard 3-mil: Ideal for short-term use and indoor documents.
Heavy-Duty 5-mil: Recommended for frequently handled items like menus or ID badges.
Extra-Thick 7-mil: Best for outdoor signage or archival-quality protection.
Additional Services and Fees
Beyond the basic lamination process, Staples may charge extra for value-added services that prepare the item for lamination or finalize the product. Printing a document from scratch will obviously incur separate charges, but even creating a digital copy of a customer-provided physical item might add to the cost. Cutting services ensure the material is trimmed to the exact size requested, which is necessary for non-standard formats or creating rounded corners.
Ancillary Fees to Consider
Color or black-and-white photocopying.
Complex die-cut shapes or specialty edges.
Rush processing if the item is needed within an hour.
Delivery or shipping for online orders.
