Classroom-tested tricks straight from real teachers
Teachers are some of the most creative problem-solvers on the planet — especially when it comes to lamination. After reviewing thousands of forum posts (and decades of lamination war stories), here are the hacks that teachers swear by. Some will save you time, others will save you money… and some may just blow your mind.
1. Erase Sharpie with a Dry Erase Marker
This one feels like magic the first time you see it.
If a student name, chart label, or calendar number was written in Sharpie, you can remove it instantly:
✔ Scribble directly over the Sharpie with a dry erase marker ✔ Wipe it off ✔ Both marks disappear
“All you have to do is write over it with a dry erase marker and the chemicals dissolve the Sharpie writing!” — JoeTeacher
This works because dry erase ink contains solvents that break down permanent ink.
2. Magic Erasers Remove Almost Everything
If dry erase doesn’t fully lift the marks, a Magic Eraser usually does.
Teachers use it for:
Daily dry erase ghosting
Old wet erase marks
Crayon residue
Smudges from student fingers
“We use dry erase on laminated charts, and the Magic Eraser removes it the next morning.” — Miss Kirby
3. Hairspray Removes Permanent Marker Too
An old-school teacher trick — and it works shockingly well.
“I use a Sharpie on things the kids handle. I take it off easily with AquaNet hairspray.” — Miss Kirby
Spray → Wipe → Gone. (Yes, it has to be old-fashioned aerosol hairspray.)
4. Rubbing Alcohol Is Your Best Friend
Permanent marker on laminated surfaces? No problem.
“Rubbing or denatured alcohol will remove Sharpie marks with considerable ease.” — deserttrumpet
Use a cotton ball or paper towel. Excellent for cleaning up end-of-year anchor charts.
5. Crayons + Laminators = Melty Disaster
Multiple teachers warned that crayon wax can melt inside the machine — especially thick or oily crayons.
Avoid laminating:
Crayon-heavy posters
Oil pastels
Grease pencil drawings
If you must laminate it, test a small sample first.
6. Overhead Pens (Vis-à-Vis) Are Still the MVP for Reusable Charts
Dry erase markers smear easily and leave residue. Teachers still love the classics:
✔ Vis-à-Vis wet erase pens ✔ Stay on when touched ✔ Erase cleanly with water
“As long as it stays dry, the ink stays too. Very easy!” — MissFroggy
Great for:
Classroom jobs
Anchor charts
Daily schedules
Behavior charts
7. Chalk Window Markers Are Amazing on Lamination
This tip came totally unexpectedly:
“The Crayola Window Chalk markers work far better than Vis-à-Vis or dry erase for dot-to-dots and mazes.” — Xtine
They don’t smear, they dry quickly, and they wipe off with a wet cloth.
8. Run Peeling Lamination Back Through the Machine
Sometimes peeling isn’t a lost cause.
If lamination separates:
The machine may not have been hot enough
The sheet may have gone through too fast
Teachers fix it by: ✔ Running the piece through again ✔ Slowing down the speed ✔ Letting the machine reheat halfway through large batches
“If I run it through again, it usually seals.” — Kangaroo22
9. You Can “Reset” Lamination with an Iron
This hack is wild — but teachers swear it works.
“We have even used an iron on low with a covering over the picture to get the glue to reset.” — teacher333
Just be sure to put a cloth over the lamination to avoid melting it.
10. Laminate Construction Paper Before Die-Cutting
Instead of cutting, laminating, and cutting again — many teachers laminate large sheets first, then run them through the die-cut machine.
Works great for:
Letters
Shapes
Cubbies
Labels
Bulletin board pieces
“That way I don’t have to re-cut the shapes after laminating.” — Lilu0819
This also keeps edges sealed and prevents fraying.
11. Laminate Sheets Make Perfect Glue Protectors
One of the most clever uses of scraps ever.
“We put laminate leftovers on the sticky page so papers don’t glue together in duotangs.” — Wombat
