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

Three Things to Try Out This Summer

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Three Things to Try Out This Summer. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

The first day of summer is upon us and now that the weather has improved and the days are a bit longer, it's time to consider doing some different things around the office. No matter what type of office machines and document finishing equipment you have, there's always something new to do. Here are three things to try out this summer.

1. Oil your paper shredder.  Did you know that paper shredders need to be oiled on a regular basis? They do in order to stay in great shape. (Much like a car.) If you haven't been oiling your shredder, now's the time to start so you can get as much use as possible out of it. All you need to do to oil your machine is dampen a piece of paper with shredder oil and run it through the device. Make sure you use shredder oil (not motor or vegetable oil) and do this on a regular basis to keep the machine running smoothly.

2. Try out a new binding method.   If you bind your documents, you probably have a preferred method of doing so whether it's with plastic combs, wire spines, or color coils. But there are many methods available and switching things up can be fun, make the process easier, and even make your documents look professional. For example, you may want to begin using a thermal binding machine. These devices can make any document look like a professionally published paperback or hardcover book. And GBC ProClick spines will allow you to bind out of the office and edit your work later on. Be sure to give a new binding method a try!

3. Use mounting boards with your laminator.   Laminating your documents is a great way to make them look good as well as strengthen them for long-term use. If your machine is compatible with mounting boards, you should try out these supplies. They're perfect for making visual aids that can be used in meetings, in reception areas, and more. And if your machine can't handle mounting boards, there are plenty of devices that can, such as the GBC HeatSeal 700pro.

These are three things you should try out with your document finishing and office machines this summer. Oiling your paper shredder, trying out a new binding method, and using mounting boards will make your workday a bit more interesting and they'll also help you get the most out of your equipment. Have a great summer!

What to Consider Before Buying a Pouch Laminator

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … What to Consider Before Buying a Pouch Laminator. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

The best way to prepare your documents for regular handling is by processing them with a pouch laminator. If you're interested in this type of device, here's what you need to consider before buying one:

• The size of your documents – and your workspace. Obviously, you're going to want to get a laminator that's large enough to handle the things you want to protect. Pouch laminators run the gamut when it comes to size with small, medium-sized, and large machines available. As a rule of thumb, it's usually better to err on the side of caution and get a machine that's slightly larger than what you think you'll need. That way, your device will be big enough to handle a variety of documents. Also, try to figure how much space you have available in your work area so you can pick a machine that can fit in it.

• If you're going to work with thermally sensitive items. Almost all of the pouch laminators available are designed for use with thermal laminating pouches. It's not advisable to process certain sensitive items on a hot setting including some photographs and anything that was printed with water-based ink. If you want to work with these kinds of materials, you need to look for a machine with a cold lamination setting. This will allow you to process your items without damaging them.

• How much protection your documents require. It's important to know that laminating pouches vary in thickness. Pouch thickness is measured in mils (a mil is 0.001 of an inch) and 10 mil pouches offer the most protection. (They'll also make your materials fairly rigid.) Determine how much protection your documents require and choose a machine that can handle that pouch thickness.

• What safety features you need. Using a pouch laminator can be dangerous since the one you choose will likely have a heating element inside of it. These parts reach very high temperatures so that the adhesive in a pouch will be properly melted. It's important to seek a machine that has good safety features to make the process as risk-free as possible. Some devices have two layers of insulation to trap heat inside. Some have the ability to shut off automatically. Choose a device that has the safety features you need.

• The device's durability and warranty. It never hurts to choose a laminator that's well-built and can handle a lot of use. The best ones have metal components so they can be used frequently. The downside is that they can be pricey, so you might have to go with a device that's a bit less durable if you're on a budget. The machine you choose should also have a good warranty so you don't need to worry if anything goes wrong with it.

That's what you should consider before you go out and buy a pouch laminator. Thinking about these things will enable you to select a pouch laminator with which you will be happy. Good luck!

Office Tools and Supplies You Should Have at Home

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Office Tools and Supplies You Should Have at Home. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Even if you don't have a home office, there are several office tools and supplies you should have at home. These items can help you protect documents, get organized, and even help shield you from identity theft. Let's take a look at what they are....

1. A supply of self-sealing laminating pouches. At some point in your life, you may need to laminate something important. It could be a birth certificate, a memento, or even a special photograph. While you could purchase a laminator to protect you item, it's more cost-effective to use self-sealing laminating pouches. Just buy a package and keep them in your desk so you can laminate your documents in minutes. Some of the best ones are made by GBC, so be sure to look for them.

2. A good stapler. You should have a stapler at home because chances are good you'll need to use it at some point. (For example, you may need to staple documentation to your tax returns.) You don't need to purchase an exceptionally fancy one – a good, basic Swingline stapler will be just fine. A Swingline stapler will last for years so you'll always be able to use it when you need to.

3. A well-made paper shredder. If you're like most people, you're probably somewhat worried about fraud and identity theft. The best way to protect yourself is by shredding your private papers. There is a terrific selection of personal-sized shredders and they're made by great manufacturers such as Fellowes. (Swingline is also now making shredders.) You can use the shredder to shred items like old tax returns, canceled checks, and anything else you want to safely dispose of. This will help keep your personal information secure.

4. A good pair of scissors. Like the stapler, you should have a good pair of scissors because you'll need them at some point for various activities (i.e. sewing, wrapping gifts, crafts, etc.). A lot of different companies make scissors but you really can't go wrong with a pair made by Dahle, a German manufacturer. They make a variety of scissors and they feature Solingen steel blades, so they're very durable. Their scissors also feature sturdy plastic handles and they're available in different lengths so there's definitely a pair that's right for you.

5. Three-ring binders and a durable hole-punch. Three-ring binders are terrific supplies that can help you stay organized. You can use them to store schoolwork, recipes, trading card collections, photographs, and more. It doesn't hurt to have a couple on-hand so you have them if you need them. Companies like Wilson Jones make particularly good binders. You should also have a three-hole punch so you can get your paper ready to go in the binders. Swingline makes some of the most durable punches, so you can be confident you're getting a great product.

These are all office tools and supplies you should have at home. They'll be helpful for a variety of different tasks and they can also help you keep things organized. A paper shredder will definitely help you protect yourself against fraud, as well. Get these tools and supplies today so you have them when you need them.

Pouch Laminator Jams: How to Prevent and Fix Them

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Pouch Laminator Jams: How to Prevent and Fix Them. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Pouch laminators are very popular these days because they make it easy for people to laminate important documents without leaving the home or office. These devices offer simple operation but there is a chance of experiencing a pouch jam. Here are some tips on how to prevent jams from occurring as well as how to fix them....

--The best way to deal with a jam is by preventing them in the first place. You can do so by using a carrier, for one thing. The carrier prevents melted adhesive from causing problems with the machine's gears. Another thing that can help is by never laminating metallic items and three-dimensional objects. These items can damage the rollers, leading to jams. Using the proper temperature and speed settings will also help, as well using pouches that your device can handle.

--If a pouch jam does occur, it's not the end of the world. Before you do anything else, turn off (or unplug) your laminator so the motor doesn't burn out. You can then take a look at things and try to determine what's causing the problem. Chances are good that the pouch has become wrapped around the machine's rollers. If that's the case, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem:

• If your laminator has a reverse mode, turn the device back on and give this a try. If the pouch starts coming out, be sure you don't pull on it too hard. This can make the problem worse and could possibly damage the interior of the machine.
• Your machine might have a pouch jam lever. If it does, try using this feature to solve your problem.
• Some laminators are designed much like fax machines in that they can be opened up. If your device is designed in such a way, go ahead and open it up when the power is off. (Make sure you let the device cool off beforehand so you don't burn yourself.) You should be able to remove the pouch pretty easily. If you need to cut the pouch in order to remove it, make sure your cutting tool doesn't touch the rollers. They can be easily damaged by sharp utensils.
• As a last resort, you could try dismantling the device to fix things. However, this shouldn't be done unless you really know what you're doing.

--Finally, if you can't get the pouch out, you may want to consider calling in a professional. (This is especially true if you own a high-end device.) Trying to fix a complex problem on your own could possibly void the machine's warranty which is inconvenient to say the least. If the pouch is totally jammed and your laminator wasn't particularly expensive to begin with, you might just want to get a new one. It will save you time and it's often cheaper than getting professional help.

Preventing and clearing a pouch jam are two things you need to know how to do when you own a laminator. These tips should help you out as you laminate, so be sure to give them a try. 

Customized Mouse Pads: How to Make Them

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Customized Mouse Pads: How to Make Them. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Mouse pads are important computer accessories. They make computing much easier since they provide a smooth surface for the mouse to move across. They can also help you express yourself and there are a lot of pads on the market that have images of kittens, puppies, popular paintings, and so on printed on them. If you've ever want to make your own for either yourself or to use in a professional context, now's your chance. This article will walk you through the surprisingly easy process so you can learn how to create mouse pads that you can take pride in.

1. First, you'll need to get a pouch laminator. Technically, just about any laminator will work although you'll get better results with one that can work with materials of varying thicknesses. It also helps to choose a machine that can work well with photos so you can get beautiful, flawless results. A device with heated rollers is also helpful so be sure to look for one.

2. Next, you'll need to get a kit that has everything you need to make your mouse pads. These kits usually contain 10 mouse pads along with a supply of laminating pouches. If you want to make more than 10 items at a time, make sure to get multiple kits so you don't run out of supplies halfway through the process.

3. Now comes the fun part: you get to decide what to put on the surface of the pad. You can use photographs (either ones printed on actual photographic film or those printed out on your laser or ink-jet printer). Feel free to make pads that show off pictures of your pets, kids, favorite vacation spots, and so on. You can also make pads for promotional purposes and more. (Note: the item you want to put on the pad should be trimmed down to fit on it.)

4. At this point, you're ready to begin making your mouse pads. This is pretty easy to do. First, make sure you laminate your photograph or document with the pouches included in the kit. Once they've been laminated, just remove the pouch backing to reveal the adhesive. Then stick the item on top of the pad. If there's any overhang, you can trim away the excess. You can either use a craft knife or a guillotine paper trimmer depending on what feels the most comfortable for you.

5. Admire your work. You created your very own mouse pads that you can use for a variety of purposes! Congratulations!

Making your own mouse pads – for either personal or professional use – is incredibly easy. The key is getting the right supplies (i.e. mouse pad kits) and making sure your laminator can handle items that are both thick and thin. As long as you have those things taken care of, you'll find that making your own mouse pads is one of the easiest office tasks around. Trying making your own mouse pads today to learn firsthand how easy it is.

Laminating Pouches: Choosing the Right Ones for Your Needs

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Laminating Pouches: Choosing the Right Ones for Your Needs. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Pouch laminators are really popular because they can help you produce quality laminated documents within a few minutes. To successfully use one of these devices, you need to have some laminating pouches in your office supply cabinet. But you don't just need any pouches: you need ones that are right for your needs. To find the right ones, make sure you keep the following in mind:

1. Size and thicknesses. You're going to need pouches that are just the right size for your materials. Luckily, a variety of different sizes are available: small, medium, large, and every size in between. When selecting your pouch, make sure it's large enough to give you about a 1/2-inch border around the document. This ensures that it will be properly laminated. You also need to choose supplies that are the right thickness so that they'll be compatible with your laminator. Laminating pouches range in thickness from 1.5 to 10 mil and not every machine can work with all thicknesses. The thicker supplies will give your document more protection (which is important if they'll be handled a lot), so be sure to choose accordingly.

2. Finish. A lot of the pouches that you can currently buy are glossy. They help your documents and photographs look great, and are smooth to the touch. (They can also help the colors in your materials stand out.) However, documents laminated with glossy film can be difficult to read in certain situations because of glare. If that's an issue for you, matte pouches are a good alternative. You can also write on these supplies which can be very convenient. And if you want to give your work a different look, there are some that have colored backs as well as ones with a sticky back so you can make adhesive documents. Be sure to take a look all of the available supplies to see what's out there.

3. Brand name and quality. Laminating pouches are manufactured by a lot of different companies and, as you would expect, quality varies greatly. As a general rule, you should avoid the “no name” products and look for ones made by companies such as GBC. Using higher-quality pouches might be cost a bit more, but your documents will look better and you won't experience as many problems as you would when using “no name” supplies.

In a nutshell, those are the things you be looking for and thinking about when selecting your laminating pouches. You'll want to choose ones that are the right size and thickness. (The thickness is especially important. Consult the machine's instruction manual to see what the device can handle.) Also, finish is important because it can affect the readability of your document. (Chances are you want people to read your work, right?) And, depending on the finish, you can make stickers and more. Finally, high-quality supplies are best even if they're a bit pricey. Shop for your laminating pouches today and get some for your office supply collection.

Hot and Cold Laminators: How to Choose One of the Two

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Hot and Cold Laminators: How to Choose One of the Two. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

When it comes down to choosing between a hot and cold laminator, there are many things to think about. While both of these types of machines will provide you with durable, preserved documents, there are differences between the two of them in regards to available supplies, cost, and so on. So here's what you need to think about when shopping for a laminator so you can choose the right one.

• What supplies are available. One of the most important considerations when deciding what type of laminator to get is the availability and selection of supplies. Thermal pouches are pretty easy to find and there are a lot of different sizes to choose from. (You'll be able to laminate small items like business cards and larger ones such as maps and menus.) There aren't as many sizes available when it comes to cold laminating supplies. This won't be too much of a problem if you're working with a roll laminator but it could be an issue with a device that handles pouches.

• How much time you want to save. You're probably a very busy person and are looking for a device that can provide you with quick results. If that's the case, a cold device would be a particularly good choice because it wouldn't require any warm-up time. There are some thermal machines that can take in excess of ten minutes to heat up which can be really inconvenient when you're trying to get things done in a short amount of time.

• The cost of the device. Of course, cost is going to be an issue whether you're buying a car, a computer, or a laminator. Laminators are available at all price points but you should keep in mind that you do get what you pay for. That said, thermal machines are usually a bit more expensive than cold ones simply because they cost more to produce. (The difference in price isn't too great but it is there.) However, you will find that the supplies need for cold lamination are more expensive than what you need for thermal processing. So going with the cold machine could end up costing you a bit more in the long run.

• What you're going to be laminating. Something you absolutely must think about before getting a laminator is what you plan on laminating. The size of your materials will play a part because you'll need a roll laminator to process large items such as posters. Also, there are some materials that shouldn't be processed by a hot machine including documents and photos that have been printed with water-based ink. These items can be damaged when exposed to heat so if you're going to be working with a lot of them, a cold device might be best. Or you may want to go with a laminator that can do both hot and cold lamination. It's up to you.

Choosing between a hot and cold laminator can be challenging but it won't be too difficult if you consider these items before making your purchase. Happy laminating!

Holiday Card Supplies to Consider Using

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Holiday Card Supplies to Consider Using. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Have you started making your holiday cards yet? If you haven't, you should probably get on it soon since the holidays are just about here. There are some supplies you can use to help you out creatively so you can make cards you can take pride in. Some of these will be expected (pens, glitter) and others will be surprising, such as a die cutting system. Here are some things you should consider using when putting together your holiday cards this year.

1. A rotary trimmer. Even if you're working with store-bought elements such as stickers and appliques, it never hurts to have a good rotary trimmer on-handed. These devices makes it easy to quickly cut perfectly straight lines. There are even some trimmers that can do wavy lines which is a nice option to have when putting your cards together. You might also want to have a pair of scissors around for making circular cuts.

2. A pouch laminator and laminating film. Pouch laminators are handy machines if you need to make a document more durable. They can also be used to add foil accents to your holiday cards for a high-class look. Laminating foil comes in some beautiful colors such as blue, purple, and green so you'll be able to find the right hue no matter which holiday you're celebrating.

3. A scorer. Something that could come in really handy as you work on your cards is a scorer. This is simply a device that helps you crease thicker stocks (i.e. cardstock). You'll find a device like this helpful if you end up using paper that isn't already folded. (This will also give you some some creative freedom because you can use just about any type of paper you want. You won't be limited to pre-folded paper.)

4. A die cutting system. If you'd like to make your own appliques for your cards, you should think about getting a die cutting system. Some of the best ones are made by Xyron and they can help you make holiday-themed shapes that can really brighten up your work. With some machines, you can even print out letters so you'll be able to beautifully spell out your holiday greetings.

5. Pens, glitter, glue, and so on. Finally, you're going to need a bunch of your typical crafting supplies on-hand to get the job done. Gather up a good supply of your favorite pens, adhesives, etc. Make sure to put some holiday tunes on your stereo or MP3 player and grab some hot chocolate to set the appropriate mood.

These items can help you make some of your best holiday cards yet. You'll be surprised at how handy it is to have devices like a rotary trimmer, die cutting system, and scorer at your disposal, especially if you do crafts throughout the years. The laminator can not only help you attach foil to your creations, you can use it to protect your important paper documents and photographs. Consider getting some of these devices today to make your card-making sessions easier. Happy holidays!

Trimming Laminated Items: What You Need to Consider

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Trimming Laminated Items: What You Need to Consider. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Laminating your documents, photographs, and artwork is a great way to preserve your work so it can withstand a lot of handling. Whether you use a pouch or roll laminator, at some point you're going to probably have to trim some excess laminate from your items. There are a few different tools you can use to do this including scissors, Zippy knives, rotary trimmers, guillotine cutters, and laminating trimmers. This article will help you decide which tool would be best for your needs. That said, here's what you need to consider when trimming your laminated materials....

1. The size of your documents. This is a really important consideration because it makes sense to choose certain implements depending on your document's size. For example, if you're dealing with smaller things such as business cards and snapshots, using scissors or Zippy knives would be appropriate, but an automated trimmer would probably be overkill. Likewise, it would be time-consuming and inconvenient to use shears to trim a banner or poster. This is largely based on common sense, so be sure to choose accordingly.

2. How your materials are shaped. Shape needs to be taken into account when deciding what's the best way to trim your documents. Automated and rotary trimmers as well as guillotine cutters are great if you need a perfectly straight line, but they won't cut it (no pun intended) if you need a curved line or if the item is otherwise irregularly shaped. So you'll want to take a good look at your materials see which tools will give you the results you need.

3. The thickness of your materials. The third thing you need to think about is how thick your items are. For example, if you decided to laminate a mounting board, you're going to need something that can cut through a relatively thick material. A good choice in this instance would be a mat cutter. (A rotary cutter or pair of scissors definitely wouldn't work.) Also, items that have been laminated with thin film (i.e. 3 mil) might be difficult to cut with a guillotine cutter or rotary trimmers, but things will go just fine if you use a Zippy knife. You might want to experiment with different tools to see which ones make trimming as easy as possible.

Trimming is really the final step in the laminating process, so you're going to want to make sure you do a good job of it. This will help you end up with materials that are not only protected but also look great and convey a professional image. Thus, you need to take the size, shape, and thickness of your items into consideration when selecting which cutting tool to use. If you do this, picking the right cutting tool will be easy and it will help you finish the job beautifully. (It can also help you save some time, which is always helpful.) Keep these things in mind the next you find yourself needing to trim excess laminate from your work.

Add Foil to Your Work By Using Your Pouch Laminator

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Add Foil to Your Work By Using Your Pouch Laminator. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

If you've have your pouch laminator for a while, you're probably very familiar with how it works and what you can do with it. In fact, you probably use it on a regular basis to protect your important documents like business cards, certificates, and the like. However, you can also do other things with your laminator. One of them is adding foil to your work. After all, items such as business cards, advertisements, letterhead, and so on always look good when they have a bit of a shine to them. The good news is that it's easy to do this with your laminator. Let's take a look at how to do so....

1. First of all, you're going to need to gather up some supplies. You're going to need: your pouch laminator with adjustable temperature settings; scissors; a roll of foil that's receptive to toner; a laminating pouch carrier; and access to a photocopier. If there isn't one available, a laser printer will work too.
2. Next, warm up your laminator. This shouldn't take very long – probably just 5 minutes at most. You're going to need to adjust the temperature setting and make sure it's pretty high. It should be from 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. (If you're using the Celsius scale, that's about 150 degrees.) The temperature needs to be high to get the foil to adhere to your documents. At this time, gather up some laminating pouches that are 10 mil thick.
3. Now you can begin preparing your document. Hopefully you printed it on either a photocopier or laser printer. (The foil you're using won't stick to water- or wax-based inks/toners.) Cut the foil down to size so it covers the area where you want it to go and then place everything in a laminating carrier.
4. At this point, you can run your document through the machine so long as it's reached the appropriate temperature. As the item makes its way through the laminator, the foil will become fused to the toner so your document will end up looking great. When the item comes out, carefully remove it from the carrier and then peel the excess foil away. Leave the item alone then so it has a chance to cool off. Once it's cool you can use your item as you see fit and take pride in your work.

As you can tell from using this article, it's very easy to add foil accents to your work by using your pouch laminator. It doesn't take very long either. The key to success with this process is making sure you have the right materials at hand. You absolutely must have access to a laser printer or photocopier and ensure that your foil is the appropriate type for this kind of process. (Your pouch laminator should also have adjustable temperature settings.) All long as you have all of these supplies and you follow the steps outlined above, you're going to be very pleased with the results. So gather up your materials and try this today so you can explore a new application for your pouch laminator.