An article laminating apparatus is provided for use with a cartridge having a detectable element indicative of a characteristic of laminating materials. The apparatus includes a frame enabling the cartridge to be removably mounted thereto and an article processing assembly carried on the frame. A control system controls the article processing assembly to perform an article processing operation. The apparatus also includes a detector operable to detect the detectable element on the cartridge. The detector is operable to transmit a signal to the control system based on the detectable element on the cartridge. The control system is operable to adjust at least one parameter of the operation based on the signal.