Many of you have noticed that GBC has recently changed the designations and packaging for their laminating pouches.

This change is part of a new direction that GBC is going with its laminating supplies to better meet the demands of the pouch lamination market. Here is a quick overview of some of the changes that GBC has made in its 2007-2008 offering of pouch laminating supplies:

1. GBC now divides its HeatSeal line of pouches into three different categories. The highest quality laminating supplies are called Ultra Clear, the middle grade of pouches are called Crystal Clear and the economy grade are simply called Clear.

2. GBC has discontinued its line of Long Life Ultra Clear laminating pouches and replaced it with the "Ultra Clear" line. The primary difference between the old Extra Long Life supplies and the new Ultra Clear ones is that the old ones used to contain a UV protectant. However, since most laminated materials are used indoors GBC noted that the majority of customers did not want to pay extra for the UV protection. GBC no longer offers any pouch lamiantor supplies with UV protection.

3. GBC has chosen to discontinue all of its 7mil HeatSeal supplies. They noticed that over the past few years the majority of the market has moved to either 5mil or 10mil pouch. Thus, GBC's new line of laminating supplies no longer include any 7mil thick items.

4. GBC has changed the packaging for its laminating pouches to new orange and white colored boxes (most of the larger sizes of GBC laminating pouches used to be packaged in brown cardboard boxes).

5. GBC has also changed all of the part numbers for its laminating pouches. If you are looking for a particular part number look for a future article with a conversion chart. However, in the meantime please give us a call and we will be glad to point you to the replacement for the old GBC number.