If you don’t have access to a laminator or if you are just looking for an inexpensive alternative for laminating flash cards, I have a trick that will help you out today.
This method is less expensive and allows you to print or write the flash cards on paper instead of card stock if you like. It also reduces on the laminating in our landfills because it uses something that can be reused over and over again with different flash cards.
I often mention this technique in our products that have flash cards or playing cards because it is so easy to do.
Now, let’s look at what it is.
An Easy Alternative to Laminating Flash Cards
To begin with you’ll need:
- flash cards (approximately 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ for this demonstration)
- playing cards or card stock pieces that are 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ in size
- card sleeves/protectors
Step 1: Insert a playing card or piece of card stock into a card sleeve. This strengthens the flash card.
Step 2: Insert the front of the flash card in front of the card.
Step 3: Insert the back of the flash card behind the card.
Done. Now you have a covered flash card that you can use over and over again.
What’s nice about this method is that when you are finished with one set of flash cards, you can simply pull the old ones out of the card sleeves and insert new ones.
Also, there are card sleeves available in other sizes that you can use, but you would have to create your own cardboard backing to replace the playing card or simply print the flash cards on card stock.
By the way, my flash cards are designed to fit the standard card sleeves so you can use this method with them. See my flash cards for teaching math, music, geography and more on this page.
I hope you found this alternative to laminating flash cards helpful!
Christina Morrison says
This is a GREAT idea for reusing flashcards! Thank you so much for sharing. I like to use clear contact paper purchased from Dollar Tree for laminating larger items, but I get the value of not needing to use card-stock! This is brilliant. 😀
Susan Brown says
I’m glad it helped you out!
Amanda says
Great Idea! I’m always looking for ways to save on laminating!
Susan Brown says
This method is a great way to save on laminating!
Kirsten Kirk says
Wow! Thanks for sharing this tip! I have used the big page protectors for full page stuff, but never knew about the card sleeves! Heading to Amazon to buy some now!
Susan Brown says
They work really well!
Bernadette says
OHHH! This is genius!!!
Thank you! I am going to use this with music notes and note names. I will tag you if I write a blog post about it.
Susan Brown says
Awesome! I’m glad it helped you out.