Walgreens has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a neighborhood pharmacy in 1901. The retail giant now boasts over 9,000 stores across the U.S. offering everything from flu shots to food to photo printing. But does Walgreens laminate documents?
As a savvy shopper myself, I‘ve often wondered about the breadth of Walgreens‘ printing services and how they compare to competitors like Staples and Office Depot. To find out once and for all whether Walgreens is a one-stop shop for all my document preservation needs, I put on my investigative hat and did some digging. I contacted Walgreens corporate, polled store associates, researched lamination best practices, and gathered pricing data.
Here‘s everything I learned about getting documents and photos laminated at Walgreens and beyond. Armed with this knowledge, my fellow choosy consumers can make informed decisions about where and how to protect their most important paper goods.
What is Lamination and Why Would I Need It?
First, a quick primer on lamination for the uninitiated. Lamination is the process of encasing a document in a thin layer of clear plastic on one or both sides. Lamination machines use heat and pressure to melt and seal the plastic film, creating a professional, rigid finish.
People laminate documents for a wide variety of reasons, including:
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Durability: Laminated paper withstands frequent handling, spills, stains, and exposure to moisture better than unprotected paper. That‘s why restaurants laminate their menus, teachers laminate study guides, and cleaning companies laminate checklists.
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Longevity: Sealed inside plastic, documents are shielded from dirt, dust, and other debris that could degrade them over time. Many people laminate sentimental items like a child‘s drawing or a wedding invitation to preserve them for posterity.
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Professionalism: Lamination makes signs, posters, name tags, and other items look sleeker and more polished. A laminated certificate or award conveys importance and gravitas.
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Safety: Lamination keeps critical information like medical directives or emergency contact lists intact and legible, even if exposed to the elements. Outdoor signage also often undergoes lamination.
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Frequent Use: Any document that gets touched constantly, like a calendar, reference guide, or recipe card, can benefit from the added strength of lamination. Some people even laminate board game pieces or placemats for extra durability.
So now that we know why one might laminate something, let‘s dive into where you can access this service. Specifically, is Walgreens the right place for your lamination jobs both big and small?
Does Walgreens Offer Lamination?
The short answer is no, Walgreens does not offer document lamination services at any of its store locations. I confirmed this both through the Walgreens website and by calling multiple customer service representatives.
While you can print documents in color or black and white on a variety of papers, and even get basic binding options like stapling and hole punching, lamination is not on the menu of services. This is somewhat surprising given Walgreens‘ extensive photo printing capabilities, which allow you to turn your favorite snapshots into everything from posters to mugs to blankets.
If you find yourself at Walgreens in need of lamination, you‘re not totally out of luck. Select stores have FedEx Office counters inside where you can take advantage of FedEx‘s document finishing services, which include pouch lamination. However, this is not a given at every Walgreens location.
Your best bet for laminating documents is to visit a store that specializes in printing and office services. National retailers that reliably offer lamination include:
- Staples
- Office Depot/OfficeMax
- FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers
- The UPS Store
These stores can typically laminate documents up to 11×17 inches in size, such as:
- 8.5×11" letter size
- 8.5×14" legal size
- 11×17" tabloid or ledger size
Some independent print shops and office supply stores may have the capability to laminate even larger items, such as 24×36" posters or 36×48" signs. It pays to call ahead and inquire about your specific job.
How Much Does Lamination Cost?
Lamination pricing varies by retailer and document size, but the following chart provides a general idea of what you can expect to pay for pouch lamination:
| Document Size | Lamination Cost |
|---|---|
| Letter (8.5×11") | $1.99 – $3.99 |
| Legal (8.5×14") | $2.99 – $5.99 |
| Ledger (11×17") | $3.99 – $7.99 |
As you can see, most stores charge by the linear foot, with rates ranging from around $0.50-$1.50 per foot. Larger documents cost more simply because they require more laminating film.
In addition to pouch lamination, many retailers offer roll lamination for items wider than 12 inches. Roll lamination can accommodate maps, banners, blueprints, artwork, and other large-format items.
Roll lamination is a bit pricier than pouch lamination, typically costing $2-$8 per linear foot depending on the width of the document. For example, laminating a 24×36" poster at Staples runs about $7.99.
If you plan to laminate a high volume of items at once, don‘t be shy about asking for a bulk discount. For instance, The UPS Store offers a 10% discount when you laminate 10 or more items of the same size.
Certain retailers also run seasonal promotions on lamination, so it pays to time your project around a sale. You can often get a discount for being a member of a store‘s rewards program too.
How Do I Prepare a Document for Lamination?
Proper preparation is key to a smooth lamination job with no bubbles, ripples, or lost edges. Before bringing your document in for lamination, ensure it meets the following criteria:
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Flat and smooth: Wrinkled, curled, or creased paper will retain those imperfections after lamination. If your document isn‘t perfectly flat, place a heavy object like a book on top of it for a day or two before laminating.
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Clean and dry: Lamination permanently seals in dirt, smudges, and smears, so clean both sides of your document thoroughly before beginning. If the paper is damp from ink or glue, let it dry completely.
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Free of staples and clips: Remove any metal fasteners like paper clips, binder clips, or staples, as these will damage the laminating machine and leave unsightly lumps. If you need to hold multi-page documents together, use a binder clip on the edge you plan to trim off.
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Cut down to size: Laminating pouches and rolls come in standard sizes like letter, legal, and ledger. If your document is smaller than your chosen laminate, you‘ll need to trim the excess plastic from the edges after sealing. For the neatest trim, laminate multiple smaller pieces in one pouch to avoid waste.
The Pros and Cons of Lamination
Like any finishing process, lamination has its advantages and disadvantages. Weigh the following factors carefully before committing your document to plastic immortalization:
Advantages:
- Protects against liquid, dirt, and grime
- Makes documents rip- and wrinkle-proof
- Preserves important documents for the long haul
Disadvantages:
- Not easily reversible once sealed
- Adds glare and reflectivity
- Prevents you from writing on or editing documents
Ultimately, lamination is ideal for documents you want to keep pristine for years to come, but it‘s not the best choice for items you need to update frequently or might want to recycle. Consider your needs and the importance of the document before laminating.
It‘s also critical to note that while lamination does lengthen a document‘s lifespan, it is not a replacement for proper archival storage. Lamination delays deterioration from handling and the elements, but it does not prevent degradation entirely.
Heat, humidity, and light can still cause laminated documents to fade and decay over time. Archivists recommend storing laminated documents flat in a cool, dark place and keeping them out of direct sunlight to maximize longevity.
Lamination Alternatives
If lamination seems too permanent or you don‘t have access to a laminating machine, don‘t despair. There are plenty of ways to protect important documents without professional lamination:
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Self-sealing pouches: Office supply stores sell DIY laminating pouches that require no heat or special equipment. Simply place your document inside the pouch and peel off the adhesive backing for an instant clear coating.
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Sheet protectors: For a low-cost solution, slip your documents inside plastic sheet protectors before placing them in a three-ring binder. This keeps them safe from spills and smudges while still allowing you to remove and edit them as needed.
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Report covers: Clear report covers encase your document between two sheets of hard plastic for a polished look and added durability. Report covers typically come pre-punched for easy insertion into a binder.
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Packing tape: In a pinch, you can laminate a document on the cheap with ordinary clear packing tape. Lay strips of slightly overlapping tape on both sides of the document until fully covered, then trim the excess tape with scissors. The result won‘t be pretty, but it will be moisture-resistant.
The Bottom Line
Contrary to what its expansive service menu might suggest, Walgreens does not offer document lamination. To get your important papers enshrined in plastic, you‘re better off visiting an office supply store like Staples or OfficeMax, a shipping store like the UPS Store, or a standalone FedEx Office location.
These stores offer both pouch and roll lamination for documents of various sizes, with prices ranging from $2 to $8 per linear foot. To keep costs down, seek out promotions, rewards programs, and bulk discounts.
While lamination is a great way to preserve certain documents for the long haul, it‘s not the only way to keep your papers pristine. Sheet protectors, report covers, and self-sealing pouches provide protection with less permanence.
No matter which method you choose, remember that lamination does not replace proper archival practices. Laminated or not, store important documents out of direct light in a temperature-controlled space. With a little TLC, your most treasured records and photos can last a lifetime and beyond.
Bottom line? Walgreens may not be your one-stop-shop for lamination, but don‘t let that stop you from preserving your prized prints. Laminate on, my choosy friends.
