This document describes a heat sealer that can be used in a laboratory setting to create samples of heat sealed pouches and packages. It allows users to test new materials, designs, or suppliers without committing to large-scale production trials that could be wasteful or disruptive. The heat sealer provides adjustable settings for pressure, temperature, dwell time, seal pattern, sealing depth and length to create customized samples. It features individually heated sealing jaws that can be controlled together or separately to ensure precise, repeatable seals.