Oooooo, die cuts! They're the best!!! My last school used Ellison. They are the manufacturers of Sizzix and Sizlits crafter's systems as well. The major difference is that their main products can withstand a lot more use. They're expensive but you really do get what you pay for.
If you do choose to buy the die cut system, I can almost guarantee the laminator will come next. They seem to go hand in hand!
As for who uses the machine, I guess that's up to the admin to decide. Keep some things in mind though. Like GaMom points out, a schedule cuts down on waste of film. It also cuts down on utility costs from heating the machine up several times a day and/or just leaving it on all the time. Not to mention the time staff wastes standing around waiting the 10 minutes or so for it to heat up. And that's usually for just a few items! It's an easy thing to take advantage of if good controls are not put into place right away.
As you say,
It is a sticky situation.
Pun itended?
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Our laminator is in the media center, and it was supposed to be the library committee that did the laminating. But the media assistant will laminate also if one of us can't make it. It usually only takes a few minutes. If a teacher really needs something right away, she can laminate but is supposed to do some on the cart also to help with the waste.
Oh i love die cuts!!! i don't know a lot about the school ones. I just by mine from Sizzix for scrapbooking. Ours get used alot, espcially the letters, school house, and bus. this year the media specialist ordered 3-d type dies. Like where you can make a box, or a triagle, and it has the little flaps and hole to make it all stick together. The teachers of course have to supply their own paper and clean their mess.
Funny you say that. Our teacher representative actually came up with the idea of having a few pto moms run the laminator. While I wouldn't mind volunteering to do this, as well as some of our other members, I was quick to point out that I could see the teachers feeling like, oh, only they could run the laminator. It is a sticky situation. We don't have money to waste but I think it would be a great service to the teachers (I hear they spend a lot of money outside of school in laminating). I absolutely feel that pto money should be spent on the teachers as well as the students.
Also, just as part of my earlier post - the other choice of a school gift was a die cut machine...any thoughts on that? I am so clueless - and would like to do it right from the get go.
Crew--our waste issue was eliminated when our new media specialist came in. Now the laminator can only be used on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Teachers have a cart they can put their stuff on with a sticky note. On top needs laminating, on bottom is done. We go in on those days and it usually only takes 10-15 minutes to laminate, if that long. She won't let us cut it out either, because she says that isn't the point, and the teachers will expect it to be done. I tend to cut things out for those teachers who help with lots of PTO stuff, but I have to deliver it to them so others don't see. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
The week before schools tarts, the laminator is anytime use. But after the first day, Tuesday and Thursdays only. It works out pretty well, and saves the extra waste. The teachers were in a snit at the begining but they have all adjusted well. They just had to plan a little better.
Good point Gamom! My last group is forever bound to supply the laminating film because it was a package deal. The annual cost has been averaging $1500 just for the film.
debbie12 - I don't remember what machine it was (I'm not at that school anymore) but I can tell you that there was a lot of waste. The film had to roll out of the back of the machine by 18 inches before it could be cut. This was how much was wasted every time the machine was used.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Remember to check on the film for the laminator also, and if your school expects PTO to pay for it or if they can cover the cost. And also for maintainence issues. my newest philossophy for pto is cya!!
