How to Eliminate Glare on a Laminated Classroom Word Wall

Wish you could find matte laminating sheets? Are you looking for an easy way to get rid of the glare coming off your laminated classroom word wall and bulletin board references? I searched and searched for matte laminating pouches but came up empty! In this post is a simple - and even better - solution to eliminating glare from lamination so that your word walls can be easily read by students anywhere in your classroom!

That glare from a shiny, laminated word wall is killer. Between the florescent lights and the windows, there's always somewhere in the room where the glare coming off the lamination blocks sight of the references underneath it.

Are you looking for an easy way to get rid of the glare coming off your laminated classroom word wall and bulletin board references? I searched and searched for matte laminating pouches but came up empty! In this post is a simple - and even better - solution to eliminating glare from lamination so that your word walls can be easily read by students anywhere in your classroom!

I've been on the search for matte laminate pouches for a while now. I even tweeted Staples, who replied that they'd send the idea to their corporate office. To date, there are no matte laminating pouches at Staples. Or anywhere else. 

But there is an easy solution! I finally figured this one out today and I want to share it with you! 

So what's the solution?

Clear, flat spray paint!


Are you looking for an easy way to get rid of the glare coming off your laminated classroom word wall and bulletin board references? I searched and searched for matte laminating pouches but came up empty! In this post is a simple - and even better - solution to eliminating glare from lamination so that your word walls can be easily read by students anywhere in your classroom!

Here's the how-to...

1) Start with a laminated word wall. This is especially great if you already have your word wall laminated and are super bummed about it being shiny. 

I used this Testors brand, but I'm sure you can use any clear, flat (or matte) finish spray paint. My husband does a lot of hobbying so happened to have this brand.

Laminated and not sprayed word wall reference. Notice the glare. The solution in this blog post will eliminate that lamination glare!
laminated only (not sprayed)
This sales tax reference is laminated only. I did not spray paint it. You can see how much glare is coming off of it.

2) On a warm dry day, spray a thin coat of clear, flat spray paint on your laminated word wall references.

If the weather is too wet, the spray paint won't easily dry. If it's too hot, the paint will dry before it hits the lamination. I'm one to throw caution to the wind so spray painted today in close to 100% humidity... then used a hairdryer. This works, too, but a lot more work. If I were to do an entire word wall, I'd wait until a dry day.

3) Let dry. It's done!

Laminated and spray painted word wall reference. The glare is gone!
laminated and sprayed with clear, flat spray paint

This calculating tip reference was laminated and then sprayed with the clear, flat spray paint. The glare is completely gone!


I hope this has been helpful. I felt really bad hearing that teachers were feeling defeated after putting so much work into their word walls only to have the references often unreadable. Spraying everything is a little more work, but I feel the end result is worth it and your word wall will be protected for a long time to come. And be glare-free! The coordinate grid bulletin board letters to spell "Math Word Wall" from the video can be found for free here.

24 comments:

  1. I've also used clear shelf liner rather than lamination. It's already matte finish and it's cheap :) I just sandwich the papers between the clear shelf liner. (The stuff in the kitchen area of a store that has a peel off paper backing). It's actually all I used before owning my own laminator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh this is an awesome tip! Thank you! I hadn't thought of this. I wish they'd just make matte finish laminating pouches. There must be some reason they can't...

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    2. I have used the shelf liner as well, before getting my laminater. I thought I was the only one that did that. LOL

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    3. I feel like the shelf liner is still the best option for posters that won't fit in a laminator. So this is an awesome tip. Thank you for sharing you have used it, too!

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  2. Hi there, we have "matt" laminating pouches here in Ireland, they have no glare and leave a nice finish on posters. They are just a little bit more expensive than the regular pouches. You can see them at these links:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fellowes-Laminating-Pouch-Micron-Matt/dp/B000WL3PJU


    https://www.vikingdirect.ie/en/office-depot-laminating-pouches-150-microns-transparent-100-pieces-p-3385239?cm_mmc=Google-_-TRM_BRA_VIKING_brand_-_-DSA+Viking-_-DYNAMIC+SEARCH+ADS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy_HUpLex4wIVWeDtCh34JQadEAAYASAAEgJT2PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    I will definitely try the spray as it seems like a good cost saving option!

    Hope this helps! Eva😊

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am going to look into these! So strange they were nowhere to be found on US Amazon.

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    2. Maybe if more teachers in the USA requested matte pouches, they would start carrying them. I will spread the word.

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    3. I feel like they definitely should be available everywhere. We definitely have Office Depot here.

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    4. It’s years later, but you can get them on Amazon now

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    5. That's great! Never too late for matte lamination pouches.

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  3. Thank you for sharing. I will have to use this tip.

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  4. AnonymousJuly 30, 2019

    Someone had also mentioned using Aqua Net Hair Spray. Just thought I'd mention that, as well. Thank you for all you do for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Mom taught be to use hair spray to set pencil and chalk drawings. I bet it also works to dull the shine on laminated word walls. Thank you for your comment!

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  5. They have matte laminating sheets on amazon https://www.amazon.com/matte-laminating-pouches/s?k=matte+laminating+pouches

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    Replies
    1. Oh that's awesome The last time I checked, there were some in the UK but they were SUPER expensive. Thank you for linking them!

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  6. Can anyone provide the brand names of the matte shelf liner or the matte laminating pouch on Amazon? Thank you.

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  7. Thank you for this article and for all the helpful comments people have left. I am working on a Halloween costume for next year and need to laminate a large sign for my hat, but would like it to be matte finish/readable. I will look into those matte pouches; they will be amazing for so many projects!

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    Replies
    1. I wish they were available everywhere! Maybe someday.

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  8. Can you do this to the laminated papers that I already hung up? Will it ruin the walls or paper behind it

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    Replies
    1. I don't think that spray paint is the best for a word wall that is already on the wall. You can paint clear, flat Mod Podge onto pieces that are already on the wall.

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    2. I was wondering this too! Thanks!

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  9. Is there anything I can do to laminate posters already put on the wall to reduce or get rid of the glare?

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    Replies
    1. You can paint clear, flat Modge Podge onto the lamination to take away the shine.

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