Fixed speed means that the laminating rollers turn at a constant (fixed) speed that cannot be changed.

Variable speed means that the speed of the laminating rollers can be adjusted faster or slower.

A laminator with fixed speed is normally less expensive than a laminator with variable speed. Fixed speed laminators are simple to operate; however, the speed of the laminating rollers cannot be slowed down to laminate thicker laminating films (such as 5 or 10 mil films) or heavier items such as construction paper or several pieces of paper glued together.

A laminator with variable speed can be more complex to operate than a fixed speed laminator; however, because the speed can be slowed down, it allows the use of thicker laminating films. A variable speed laminator also makes it easier to laminate heavy paper such as construction paper or items with heavy ink coverage. The laminator can be slowed down, allowing the item being laminated to remain in contact with the heated film longer and resulting in better adhesion. Some laminators have a 5 mil switch, which lowers the fixed speed of the laminating rollers to allow thicker 5 mil film to be laminated. Essentially this is a fixed speed laminator that has one fast speed and one slower speed.