This is a common concern that I've encountered with people when they are considering spiral-binding machines. You might be surprised by how versatile they can be.
To answer your question, yes, spiral binding machines like these can indeed be used to bind different types of materials, including cardstock and laminated sheets. Nevertheless, it's important to bear in mind a few factors.
First, the thickness of the material is important. Most machines can handle a wide range of paper thicknesses, but for particularly thick cardstock or laminated sheets, you'd want to ensure your machine is robust enough. Always check the manufacturer's specifications to verify what thickness of material the machine can handle.
The type of spiral coil being used can also impact the effectiveness of the binding process. Plastic coils are commonly used due to their flexibility and durability, but for thicker materials, metal coils might offer better results. The extra rigidity will make the final product easier to work with.
Other than that, binding different materials is about as easy as binding paper. Feel free to experiment and see the results for yourself.
