Bind It, Shred It, Laminate It, Finish It: A MyBinding.com Blog

Welcome to the MyBinding Blog

Welcome to the MyBinding Blog.  We have created this blog as a place to share articles, reviews, press releases and information with our customers and the world.  Over the past few years we have written over 800 pieces on topics related to binding, laminating and paper handling.  Plus, we publish over 100 new articles and reviews every month.  These articles and reviews have been published all over the web but until now we haven't been able to publish them all in one place.

Our goal is to publish a few articles every day until all of the pieces are posted here at the blog.  Check back every day for new posts relating to binding equipment, laminators, paper cutters, paper folders, shredders, index tabs, ring binders, binding supplies, laminating pouches and laminating film. Or, you can subscribe to our feed and get new articles delivered to your mailbox every day.

Three New Fellowes Paper Shredders That Stand Out

If you are looking for a high-quality paper shredder, it's always a good idea to choose a machine made by Fellowes. This company has been in business for a long time (since 1917, in fact) and they've released a number of new paper shredders to start off 2012. Here are three of these machines that stand out:

• The Powershred 59Cb. This is a small cross-cut shredder that's suitable for deskside use. This machine can shred up to 9 sheets at a time and it's strong enough to rip up credit and debit cards. The Powershred 59Cb has a safety lock to prevent unauthorized use and it has a jam blocker for jam-free shredding. This shredder also has excellent warranty coverage: it's covered as a whole for 1 year while the cutting cylinders are backed for 5 years.

• The Powershred 255i. This strip-cut shredder is ideal for medium-sized offices thanks to its 20-sheet shredding capacity and 16-gallon waste bin. The Powershred 225i operates quietly thanks to SilentShred technology and it will stop working if your hands are dangerously close to the feed opening. Also, this machine will go into an energy-saving mode after a period of non-use to protect the motor. The Powershred 255i's cutting cylinders are backed by a 5-year warranty.

• The Powershred 485Ci. Finally, we have this powerful cross-cut shredder that has a 16-inch paper entry and a 28-sheet shredding capacity. The Powershred 485Ci has a 35-gallon waste bin which makes it perfect for large offices. This machine has some great features such as SafeSense technology and an automatic oiling system for easy maintenance. Also, this machine won't jam up on you and it has a continuous-duty motor for non-step shredding. The machine is covered by a 2-year warranty and the cutters are covered as long as you own the device.

Those are three of the terrific new paper shredders made by Fellowes. Be sure to check them out if you are in the market for a new machine. Happy shredding!

How to Make Coil Binding Easier Than Ever

Coil binding is a popular document finishing method and it can be used to prepare documents that are up to 440 pages long. A lot of people choose to bind with coils because they come in a wide variety of colors ranging from basic black and white to florescent pink. However, coil binding can be a bit tricky, especially when you need to assemble thick documents. Luckily, you can make the process easier by using a binding sleeve. It's a piece of plastic that looks a bit like a three-ring binder minus the rings and it will keep your pages flush. Just follow these directions to use one of these items:

• Punch holes in your document using your coil binding machine.

• Select a binding sleeve that can accommodate your entire document. These sleeves vary in thickness, ranging from 0.25” to 2”.

• Place your document in the binding sleeve. Make sure that the holes in your document are visible, as in the photograph. You will notice that document's spine is concave.

• Insert a coil through the holes in your document either manually or with an electric coil inserter. You will notice that coil insertion is easier since the spine is curved.

• Crimp the ends of the coil with a pair of crimping pliers. Make sure the red dot on them is facing up when doing so. (This ensure you will crimp the coil instead of just cutting it.)

• Remove the document from the binding sleeve. Repeat the process if you need to bind more documents.

As you can tell by reading the above instructions, using a binding sleeve is a great way to make the coil binding process easier. One of these sleeves will keep the pages flush and curve the spine for easier coil insertion. Use a binding sleeve the next time you assemble your documents so you can make the process a snap.

How to Use the New Fellowes Callisto 95 Laminator

Fellowes has started the new year by putting out a bunch of new laminators. Some of the machines are new and improved versions of such classics as the Saturn and Cosmic. However, the office machine giant has also released an all new machine, the Callisto 95. This machine works with items that are up to 9.5” wide so it's a good choice for everyday lamination. Just follow these tips to use this new machine:

• Turn on the machine and press the arrow buttons up or down to select your temperature/pouch thickness setting. The Callisto 95 has settings for 3, 4, and 5 mil pouches. There's also a cold setting for heat-sensitive items. If you choose a thermal setting, you will need to wait for 5 minutes for the machine to heat up.

• Place your item in a laminating pouch. Make sure the item is fully enveloped and that there are even edges around it. When the Callisto 95 is warmed up, place the envelope in the feed opening. The folded edge needs to go in first.

• The Callisto 95 will begin processing your item. When it's done, your laminated document or photograph will come out of the back of the device. Set it aside and give it a chance to cool off.

• If you need to switch to a different temperature setting, just select the appropriate one. The Callisto 95 has a Heat Swap system that allows you to do so without waiting for the machine to heat up or cool down.

• If your item becomes stuck in the machine, use the pouch release lever. You'll find it on the back of the device.

• Turn the Callisto 95 off when you are finished. If you forget to turn it off, it will go into sleep mode after an hour of inactivity.

As you can see, it's pretty easy to operate the Fellowes Callisto 95. You can pretty much just turn the machine on, select the appropriate setting, and go. Good luck and happy laminating!

How to Choose a Rotary Trimmer

If you routinely need to cut perfectly straight lines, using a rotary trimmer can be very helpful. These devices are commonly used in offices and schools, and crafters sometimes use them as well. In order to choose a rotary trimmer that will fit your needs, there are a few things you need to consider and look for. Check them out:

• Cutting length.  It's vital that you choose a trimmer that's large enough to accommodate your paper. You will be able to choose the right trimmer by making sure that a trimmer's cutting length corresponds with the size of your paper. For example, if you will be trimming letter-sized paper, get a cutter that has an 11” cutting length.

• Cutting capacity.  Rotary trimmers have different cutting capacities. In other words, the trimmer you choose will be able to cut a certain amount of paper at once. You need to pay attention to cutting capacity because if a trimmer can only trim 5 sheets at a time and you need to cut 10, that might be problematic.

• An encased blade.  Since a rotary trimmer is a cutting tool, it's something that needs to be used with caution. It's a good idea to get a trimmer that has a blade that's fully encased in plastic. While you will still need to be careful when cutting our paper, the casing will help protect your fingers as you work.

• An alignment grid and ruler.   It's important to choose a trimmer that has both a ruler and an alignment grid. These features will help you properly line up your paper so you can get a precise cut. You should also make sure the trimmer has a paper clamp. This will keep your paper in place as you work.

• Interchangeable blades.  Some rotary trimmers have interchangeable blades. These cutters are very helpful if you want to perforate and/or score your paper. Also, sometimes these trimmers can create wavy edges, so they're ideal if you do a lot of crafts.

• Durable construction.   Finally, it's a good idea to select a rotary trimmer that is durably constructed. You can tell a cutter is well-made if it has a lot of metal parts. The base should also be sturdy so it can withstand a lot of use.

Finally, you may want to try out a few different rotary trimmers to see which one you like the best. That way, it will be easy for you to choose the trimmer that's perfect for you. Happy cutting!

How to Successfully Use a Pair of Crimping Pliers

Coil binding is a popular document finishing method that is used by professional binderies, office workers, and school employees and volunteers. Documents bound with coils tend to look very professional and most coil binding equipment is pretty easy to use. However, a lot of people run into trouble when it's time to crimp the ends of the coil with a pair of crimping pliers. This is unfortunate because crimping the coil is the most important part of the process. If you don't crimp your coil, your document will fall apart. However, with good instructions and a bit of practice, you can become skilled at this task. Here is how you can successfully use a pair of crimping pliers:

• First, make sure you have a pair of crimping pliers. These look just like normal pliers and a pair is sometimes included with new coil binding machines.

• Bind your document, making sure that you use a coil that's 1” longer than your document.

• Hold your book in your hands with the coil facing you. Grab your pair of crimping pliers and make sure that the red dot on them is pointing up.

• Grab one end of the coil with your pliers. Apply some pressure so the the coil is trimmed. Turn your wrist slightly to bend the end of the coil.

• Flip your document over and make sure the coil is facing you. Crimp the other end of the coil with your crimping pliers. You're done!

As noted above, you might have to practice a little bit before crimping comes naturally to you. That's normal, so be patient with yourself and practice as much as necessary. If you're a visual learner, make sure you watched the embedded video to see someone crimp the ends of a coil. It might help. Good luck to you and happy crimping!

 

Tips for Using the Martin Yale P6200 Letter Folder

One of the most time-consuming office tasks is folding paper. Whether you're folding invoices or correspondence, it can take up a significant chunk of your workday. Luckily, there are machines that can help you out such as the Martin Yale P6200, a desktop letter folder. Using this machine is a snap. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it:

• The P6200 can fold up to 3 sheets of paper at a time and they can be stapled together. Don't try to fold more than 3 sheets at once. If you do, you could end up with a paper jam.

• It's possible to fold up to 30 letters per minute with this machine. The paper will be folded as soon as you place it in the feed opening which is nice and convenient.

• This device works with letter-sized paper that measures 8.5” x 11”. It will fold the paper into thirds, so you will want to make sure that you have the right size envelopes on-hand.

• If you want to boost your productivity, make sure you keep the P6200 on your desk for easy access. (Or you could place it in your copier room near the postage machine.) The machine's approximate dimensions are 13" x 6" x 6" so it won't take up much space.

• At some point, you may end up with a paper jam despite your best intentions. If this happens, it's easy to fix. Unplug the machine and turn it upside down. Remove the green paper stop and untwist the black disc. Then, insert the stem of the black disk into the hole on the right side of the machine. Start cranking the disc to remove the paper. Make sure to return the black disc and the green paper stop to their original positions before folding more paper.

• Turn off the P6200 when you're done.

Using the Martin Yale P6200 is extremely easy, even when you have to deal with a paper jam. Give this letter folder a try so you can save time during your workday.

 

Foil Lamination: How to Do It

If you have a pouch laminator, you already know that you can use it to protect and preserve ID cards, menus, photographs, and a wide variety of other documents. This ensures you can get the most out of your items and not have to re-print them constantly. If you have a machine that can handle 10 mil pouches, you can use it for another type of application: foil lamination. Foil lamination is simply adding a bit of decorative foil to items like greeting cards, stationary, and business cards. Best of all, this is an easy process. Just follow these steps:

• Turn on your laminator and make sure that it's on its highest temperature setting. Let the machine warm up as necessary.

• Print or copy your document on a machine that uses toner. You need to use toner because the foil won't stick to water-based inks.

• Grab a roll (or two) of laminating foil. There are plenty of colors available, so there should be a hue that's perfect for your document.

• Cut out pieces of foil that will cover the text and/or graphics contained in your document. Place the foil on the appropriate areas and put the document in a laminating carrier.

• Run the carrier through your pouch laminator. When it comes out of the machine, let your document cool off for a bit.

• Peel back the foil and admire your work. If you have other documents you want to add foil to, you can repeat the above process. Make sure you turn your laminator off when you're done so that it won't overheat.

As you can tell, foil lamination is easy and it can be done in just a few short steps. If you want to see someone go through the process, just watched the embedded video. You'll be able to see just how easy it is to add foil to your documents. Good luck and happy laminating!

 

Tips on Using the Lamitek PhotoPro 13 Laminator

When choosing a pouch laminator, it's always a good idea to select one that's packed with user-friendly features and is easy to operate. Luckily, the Lamitek PhotoPro 13 fits the bill beautifully. This laminator is compatible with laminating pouches that are up to 10 mil thick and it has a 13-inch feed opening that can accommodate large and small documents. The PhotoPro 13 also has a cold setting for those heat-sensitive materials and it has four rollers so everything will be smoothly processed. Here are a few tips to help you successfully use this machine:

• Turn on the laminator and let it warm up. This device takes about 5 minutes to heat up, so you'll be able to start laminating pretty quickly.

• Select the appropriate setting for your pouch. For example, if you're using a 5 mil pouch, turn the rotary dial to the number 5 position. If you're using a pressure-sensitive laming pouch, select the cold setting, and so on.

• Place your document in a pouch and then place the pouch in a carrier. Run the carrier though the laminator and place it to the side afterward. Your document needs to cool off before you can use it.

• Just repeat the above steps for your other documents. Turn off the PhotoPro when you're done so that the motor doesn't overheat.

Finally, you might want to try foil laminating with PhotoPro if you're feeling adventurous. Foil laminating is the process of adding a bit of decorative foil to your documents and you can do this with a machine that uses 10 mil pouches. Click here to watch a video that will walk you through the process.

Overall, the Lamitek PhotoPro 13 is a great pouch laminator that's versatile and easy to use. (Watch the video to see it in action.) Try out the tips listed above you can produce beautifully laminated documents.  

 

 

See the Fellowes Helios 30 Thermal Binding Machine in Action

Thermal binding machines are some of the most versatile document finishing devices around. Some of the best thermal binders are made by Fellowes, including the Helios 30. This machine is easy to use and you can see it in action by watching video below. Here are a few things you need to know about the Helios 30: 

• This machine can bind documents that are up to 300 pages long. Both softcover and hardback thermal binding cases are compatible with the device, so you can make your documents look great.

• The Helios 30 warms up in just 4 minutes and it can bind multiple documents at once, depending on their thickness. You can measure the thickness of your documents with the machine's built-in thickness detector.

• This machine's binding cycle only lasts for 1 to 3 minutes, so you can crank out work quickly. Producing your documents is safe since the device has a HeatShield safety barrier to keep your hands away from the heating element.

• Once your document is bound, the Helios 30 will beep at you. When that happens, place your document in the machine's cooling rack.

• If you need to, you can continue binding your documents. This device can adjust its settings automatically so you can bind thin and thick documents in one session without any issues.

• After you're done binding your documents, turn off the machine and give it a chance to cool off a bit. You can fold up the device for easy storage.

The Fellowes Helios 30 is a very user-friendly thermal binding machine that can help you produce professional-looking, books even when you're in a hurry. As you can see from watching the video, this device is really easy to use, so creating great-looking work is a snap. Give the Helios 30 a try if you're interested in thermal binding.

 

Oiling Your Paper Shredder with the Indirect Method

Last week, we posted a somewhat humorous video to show you the ways that you shouldn't oil your paper shredder. We thought it would be helpful to post a video that shows you one of the proper ways to oil your shredder: using the indirect method. Be sure to check out the video below and follow these instructions so you can oil your shredder:

• Dampen a piece of paper with shredder oil in a zigzag pattern. The key word here is “dampen.” You don't need to thoroughly soak the paper. If you do, you'll just make a mess.

• Put the paper in the feed opening of your machine and let it shred the paper.

• Engage the shredder's reverse mode for about a minute. This moves the oil around so all of the parts are adequately lubricated.

• Run a dry piece of paper through the machine. This will help absorb any extra oil. You can then continue to shred your documents like you normally would.

As you can see, it's very easy to oil your paper shredder using the indirect method. You shouldn't have any trouble oiling your shredder in this manner. The main thing to remember is to only use shredder oil, which is specifically formulated to give your machine the protection that it needs. Other oils will make a mess and can be hazardous to use. Plus, you might void the shredder's warranty by using them. Use shredder oil and you can save yourself a lot of hassle.

Finally, you need to oil your machine on a regular basis. Your shredder's instruction manual should have device-specific guidelines for you to follow. Generally speaking, the more you shred, the more often you'll need to oil the device.

Oiling your paper shredder on a regular basis is the best way to keep it in shape. Use the indirect method so you can get the most out of your machine and protect your identity. Good luck!

 

How to NOT Oil Your Paper Shredder

Oiling your paper shredder is the best way to keep it in good shape. The oil helps reduce wear and tear on the motor and gears, so you can extend the life of your shredder. Also, the oil cuts down on paper dust so your workspace can stay clean.

Oiling your shredder is pretty easy to do. However, there are definitely some things you should not do. Here are a few examples:

• Although oiling your shredder is another item on your “to do” list, it's important to do it anyway. Skipping this task can cause the shredder to wear down. If that happens, you'll either have to replace the shredder or get it repaired.

• If you have vegetable oil on-hand, resist the temptation to use it. Vegetable oil is for cooking, not for oiling paper shredders. Yes, it is cheaper than shredder oil, but it can also damage your machine.

• One of the most convenient ways to oil your shredder is by dampening a sheet of paper with oil and then running it through the machine. However, you shouldn't soak the paper. Soaking the sheet is overkill and it's likely to make a mess.

• Some people might be tempted to use peanut butter to oil their shredders, given that foodstuff's natural oiliness. Naturally, this messes up the shredder, and can render it useless. Therefore, save the peanut butter for lunch, not shredder maintenance.

• Squirting some oil directly into the shredder's feed opening is one way to properly lubricate the device. However, this is only true if you don't pour a lot into the machine. If you use too much oil, it will just pool in the waste bin.

There are a couple of right ways to oil your shredders and, as you can see, there are also some incorrect ways. Make sure you check out the embedded video so you can learn how to not oil your paper shredder.

 

How to Use the Martin Yale 1711 AutoFolder

 

Folding paper by hand is time-consuming and often tedious. However, there are machines available that can take care of this essential task for you. They're called paper folders and they make it possible for you to fold hundreds of documents per hour.

One of these devices is the Martin Yale 1711 AutoFolder. This machine can process up to 9,000 sheets per hour and its feed tray can hold 150 sheets. The device has a manual bypass mode that allow you to fold stapled documents containing 5 pages or less. Also, the AutoFolder has 6 preset folds (letter, baronial, half, z-fold, right-angle, double parallel) and it works with letter-, legal-, and A4-sized paper.

Using the AutoFolder is really easy, as the embedded video shows. Just follow these steps:

• Plug in the machine and turn it on. Make sure your documents are ready to be folded.

• Place the paper in the feed tray and select your paper size. Also, select the type of fold you want.

• Press and hold the blue button to fold your documents they will exit the machine pretty quickly so you'll be able to save time.

• If you want paper to feed continuously, just press the green button. You'll be able to attend to other takes while the AutoFolder is working.

• If you need to produce different folds, just press one of the size buttons and give the machine a moment to adjust its settings. You can also use the arrow buttons to make adjustments yourself. This can be helpful when doing custom folds.

• And finally, you can fold stapled sets of paper just by inserting a document into the bypass throat and hitting the blue button. When you're done, turn off the AutoFolder and go about your day.

Using the Martin Yale 1711 AutoFolder is extremely easy. Be sure to try it out if you want to save time when folding your documents.  

How to Bind Your Documents with the Akiles iCoil 41 Coil Binding Machine

 

One of the best ways to make your documents stand out is by binding them with coils. Coil binding (sometimes referred to as spiral binding) is easy when you have the right machine, such as the Akiles iCoil 41. Here's how you use this device:

• First, punch your covers and document with the iCoil 41's vertical punching mechanism. Adjust the side margin control if necessary. This machine can punch up to 15 sheets at a time.
• Now that your document is punched, you need to select a coil. You should choose a coil based on the thickness of your document. It shouldn't be too large or too small. The iCoil 4 has a coil selector to help you out. Also, since coils come in dozens of colors, pick one that will draw attention to your work.
• You can now insert the coil through the holes you punched in your document. Start twirling the coil into the first few holes by hand and then switch to using the machine's electric coil inserter. 
• Finally, you need to crimp (trim) the ends of the coil with the coil crimpers that came with the machine. Make sure that the crimper's red dot is pointing towards you when you're using them. And don't forget to crimp both ends. It helps create a secure binding.

Coil binding is a fast and easy way to bind your documents. Give it a try today.

How to Use the Pro-Bind 1000 Thermal Binding Machine

 

If you need to make your documents look their best, you should use a thermal binding machine. Using one of these devices will make both your hardcover and paperback documents look great, so you can produce professional-looking work for meetings, presentations, and more.

One machine that can help you with the thermal binding process is the Pro-Bind 1000. This is an affordable thermal binding machine that warms up in just 3 minutes and it can bind documents that are up to 220 pages long. If your documents are fairly thin, you can even bind more than 1 per binding cycle. You can use both hardcover and paperback thermal binding cases with the Pro-Bind 1000, so it's pretty versatile and ideal for a variety of different documents. You can even use customized covers with this device.

The Pro-Bind 1000 is easy to use, as you can see from watching the video above. Just turn the machine on, let it warm up for three minutes, and you can start binding. It's important to note that a hardcover document will need to be run through two binding cycles in order to fully activate the adhesive in the spine. When your document is ready, tap it on a hard surface to settle the pages, and let it cool off. It doesn't get much easier than that. Try out the Pro-Bind 1000 thermal binding machine so you can quickly and easily create high-quality work. 

How to Use a Comb Binding Machine

Plastic comb binding machines are by far the most popular document finishing equipment around. Comb binding has been used for years and remains popular because it's affordable and can make documents look professional. However, a lot of people have many questions when they begin to bind their documents with combs and the most frequent question we get asked is, “How do I use my comb binding machine?” The good news is that using your new machine is easy but you will need someone to walk you through it the first time. That's why we created this helpful video that shows you how to do it. This video features the Akiles EcoBind-C, which is a good choice for beginners. Check out the video below and be in touch if you're looking for high-quality binding equipment or if you just need some help. You can reach us at 1-800-944-4573. Happy binding!

 

Create Great-Looking Documents with the James Burn SmartBind Comb Binding Machine

Comb binding is one of the easiest ways to produce great-looking documents. If you want to bind your documents with plastic combs, you should consider a machine like the James Burn SmartBind. Here are a few reasons why this machine is a great choice:

• The SmartBind can punch up to 12 sheets of paper at a time. If you need to punch plastic covers, this device can handle 2 at a time. This machine features a vertical punching mechanism to ensure that the holes will be properly placed to save you time.

• This machine works with binding combs that are up to 1” in diameter. This means you'll be able to bind documents that contain up to 200 pages without any problem.

• The SmartBind is pretty easy to use and it even features an ergonomic design. However, you'll want to keep in mind that this device's punching handle is located on the right side of the unit. You'll have to do some adjusting if you're left-handed.

• This machine is popular partly because it looks great. Also, the device is fairly compact so you won't have trouble making room for it in your work area. The machine has a built-in carrying handle in case you need to take it somewhere. Transporting it is easy because it only weighs 10 pounds.

• The SmartBind is solidly built and it contains metal parts so you'll be able to punch and bind a lot of documents. This machine comes with a 1-year warranty.

The SmartBind is a terrific comb binding machine for office use. It's even suitable for classroom and home use because it's easy to use and can be easily transported. This durable machine is perfect for shorter documents and it will make them look great. Be sure to consider the James Burn SmartBind if you're looking for a comb binding machine.

Three Advantages to Using the GBC CombBind C55 Comb Binding Machine

GBC makes a lot of comb binding machines and one that's worth checking out is the CombBind C55. Here are three advantages to using this device:

• It's great for short documents.  The CombBind C55 is one of the best machines to use if you need to bind short documents. This machine is compatible with binding combs that are up to 1/2” in diameter, so you can bind work that contains 90 pages or less. This device can even punch up to 5 sheets of paper at once so it won't take you very long to prepare your documents for an important meeting or presentation.

• It's great for binding on the go.  The CombBind C55 is GBC's smallest comb binding machine. It's also the most lightweight, weighing in at just 8 pounds. This machine has an integrated carrying handle so you can take it on the road with you. Just imagine being able to bind documents when you're on a business trip. You'll save money because you won't need to have a third-party take care of this task for you.

• It's great for those on a budget.  The CombBind C55 is an excellent choice if you need an affordable comb binding machine. Not only is the machine itself affordable, plastic combs can be had for just a small amount of cash. After that, all you need are covers and paper, and you'll be good to go. Also, you can expect to get a fair amount of use out of this machine. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

Those are the three advantages to using the GBC CombBind C55. This compact comb binding machine is perfect for small documents and it can be used even when you're out of the office. Check out the CombBind C55 today if it sounds like the right comb binding machine for your needs.

MyBinding.com Lands a Spot on the Inc. 5000!

MyBinding.com has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000, a list of the fastest growing private companies in America. The company landed at #1856 and is #14 among businesses in the Portland, Oregon region.

"We are very thrilled and proud to be on the Inc. 5000," said Jeff McRitichie, Vice-President of Marketing for MyBinding.com. "This is an incredible honor and we couldn't be happier."

MyBinding.com easily fit the criteria outlined by Inc. to be included on the list. Inc. required that a company have $100,000 in sales in 2007 and $2 million in 2010. The company made $4.1 million in 2007 and $10 million last year. All together, MyBinding.com has grown 141% over the past three years and the company is looking forward to continued growing, having just hired their 50th employee.

MyBinding.com is a division of Information Management Services, LLC, and is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon. The company stocks one of the Internet's largest selections of binding machines, laminators, paper shredders, and supplies. Check out their website today!

Head Back to School with These Helpful Supplies

It's just about September which means that students across the country are heading back to school. If you're going to start the new school year, you can ensure your success by having the right supplies. Here are a few that you'll find helpful:

• The GBC BindMate.  The BindMate is a really helpful, dual-action device. This machine functions as a three-hole punch as well as a comb binding machine. It's easy to use the three-hole punch so you can store your work in three-ring binders. And the comb binding part of the device will come in handy when you have an important report or paper to turn in. The BindMate will work with combs that are up to 5/8” in diameter so your papers can be up to 125 pages long. Also, this device has a carrying handle and it's lightweight so you can use it wherever you need to.

• Clear overlay binders.  Every student can benefit from using clear overlay binders. These binders have a clear sheet of plastic over the front of the book so you can use customized title pages. Clear overlay binders can store varying amounts of sheets depending on which one you use. You can use these supplies to store your class notes, prepare for exams, and so on. You should also make sure to get index tabs so you can organize your papers.

• A Swingline stapler.  Swingline makes some of the best staplers available and they produce a number that are perfect for school use. If you need a desk stapler, there are many to choose from such as the 747 which comes in several different colors and can staple up to 20 sheets. Swingline also makes compact staplers so you can carry one with you to class. One of them is the Tot Slim that has a built-in staple remover and the ability to fasten 12 sheets. The Tot Slim even has a clip so you can attach it to your backpack.

School is just around the corner, so be sure to stock up on the supplies you need today. By doing so, you'll be able to take on the new school year with a vengeance.

What Makes the Fellowes Helios 30 an Office-Friendly Thermal Binding Machine

Fellowes makes excellent document finishing equipment, especially when it comes to binding machines. One of the company's best thermal binders is the office-friendly Helios 30. Here's a rundown of what this machine has to offer:

• The Helios 30 is well-equipped to handle documents that are up to 300 pages long. This device can work with both paperback and hardcover thermal binding cases, so your documents will look like real books.

• This device warms up in just 4 minutes so you won't need to wait very long to start binding your documents. The binding cycle can last for up to 3 minutes depending on the thickness of your documents. It's possible to bind more than 1 book per cycle so you'll be able to save time.

• The Helios 30 can shut off automatically so you won't need to worry about it overheating. The machine also has a HeatShield safety feature that will prevent your hands from coming into contact with the heating element.

• This machine is easy to use thanks to a number of special features. For one thing, this device has an LED control panel and document measuring gauge. There are also audio and visual indicators that will let you know when you can start binding and when your documents are ready.

• The Helios 30 can fold up which makes it easy to store. The machine doesn't take up too much room anywhere because its approximate dimensions are 4” (height) x 21” (width) x 9” (depth).

• And last but not least, this device has a 2-year warranty.

The Fellowes Helios 30 is a terrific thermal binding machine and it's great for office use. This machine is easy to operate and it will help you save time because you can use it to bind more than one document at once. You will stay safe when binding thanks to the Helios 30's HeatShield feature and the motor will stay in great shape since the machine can shut off automatically. And don't forget that this machine won't take up a lot of room and that it has a good warranty. Check out the Helios 30 today.