The unit hums softly as soon as you turn it. After about 3 minutes, it is heated; a green LED indicates this. After having laminated a sheet, you have to wait 15-20 seconds until it is reheated. About as long is this, when switching from 80 mic to 125 mic (these are names of the film thickness). I also have 100-mic slides that I, because there is no 100-mic setting, laminated on the 80-mic setting; it went flawlessly. Also, the laminating films with self-adhesive back (of course with protective film on the adhesive surface) worked fine. Then I have a finished laminated film cut several times in order to check the quality with outstanding results: The paper adheres well everywhere on the laminating film; I no longer have the deal brought. The smell of hot device with plastic is already present but not really matter that I know just from more expensive devices. The device is limited to the essentials just basics; but stable and easy to use with good good price / performance ratio. The foils are supplied mic on the strength of 80 which is only in the manual, not the films or their packaging. There are only 2 films with this; who does not already have a supply at home, should not forget to order some. The lt. Manual recommended type is (at least at the time) on the Amazon page under the heading is often referred bought together. The order number for these films: B00D6BFEDI. If you enter this number in the search box on Amazon, they are also found.