About the Recalled Product
The recalled laminator is the Scotch™ Thermal Laminator, model TL1302Z — a light gray and white unit with gray accents, “Scotch” printed in gray on the front, a 13-inch-wide laminating slot, and a carrying handle on the right side. The model number TL1302Z appears on a sticker on the bottom of the unit and on the original packaging.
Latest Updates
The CPSC issued Fast Track Recall No. 27-024 on October 15, 2026, after 3M received 63 consumer reports of the laminator smoking, melting, and overheating, including five fires and one instance of minor property damage [1]. No injuries have been reported to the company or the CPSC as of the recall announcement, and the Fast Track designation reflects 3M’s agreement to provide a full refund by check to all affected owners [2]. Owners should unplug the laminator immediately and stop using it; disposal must follow local and state electronics recycling requirements [3].
An Overheating Laminator in the Home or Office
Thermal laminators generate sustained heat to seal protective film over documents — operating at elevated temperatures by design, typically in close proximity to paper, cardboard, and other combustible materials. When a laminator overheats beyond its intended range, the surrounding work surface, adjacent paper stock, and the laminator’s own plastic housing all become potential ignition sources.
A unit that smokes or catches fire on a home desk, school workspace, or office supply station may be unattended during operation — thermal laminating is routinely set and left running — giving a fire time to spread before anyone is present to respond.
Five Fires Across 63 Incident Reports
The 63 incident reports received by 3M and the CPSC represent a significant complaint volume for a consumer appliance, and the five confirmed fires establish that the overheating defect in at least some units reached ignition temperatures rather than stopping at smoking or melting. Property damage was confirmed in at least one of those incidents.
The CPSC’s recall notice does not identify a root cause for the overheating — 3M has not publicly disclosed whether the defect is a thermal cutoff failure, a wiring fault, or a component deficiency. Without a disclosed root cause, owners of the TL1302Z have no assurance that any particular usage pattern avoids the risk.
Amazon-Exclusive Distribution
All recalled units were sold through Amazon.com, which means buyers received the product through a delivery supply chain rather than a retail environment where a salesperson could facilitate a return. Amazon purchasers may have changed delivery addresses or email accounts since their purchase, or may have given the laminator as a gift, reducing the likelihood that direct recall notification reaches every affected owner.
At $44 to $56, the TL1302Z is positioned as an affordable home and small-office laminator — a price point that attracts buyers for household use, homeschool settings, and small business document preparation, environments where the laminator may sit unattended on a desk or countertop during operation.
Reported Incidents
3M received 63 reports of the Scotch TL1302Z smoking, melting, and overheating, including five reports of fires and one report of minor property damage. No injuries had been reported to 3M or the CPSC as of the October 15, 2026 recall announcement.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
If you suffered property damage or injury from a fire caused by a Scotch Thermal Laminator model TL1302Z, you may have a product liability claim against 3M Company. Contact an attorney promptly, as state filing deadlines apply.
What to Do Now
Unplug the Scotch Thermal Laminator TL1302Z immediately and stop using it. To receive a refund check, complete the online recall registration at scotchbrand.com/3M/en_US/scotch-brand/tl1302Z-laminator-recall/, confirm your model is included, and upload a photo of the unit with the power cord cut. Dispose of the unit according to local and state electronics recycling requirements. For questions, call 3M at 800-772-4337 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT).
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2027/3M-Company-Recalls-ScotchTM-Thermal-Laminators-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fire-Hazard
2. https://www.fox9.com/news/3m-recalls-53k-laminators-over-possible-risk-overheating-fire
3. https://www.fox13news.com/news/3m-recalls-53k-laminators-over-possible-risk-overheating-fire