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

How to Choose a Rotary Trimmer

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …How to Choose a Rotary Trimmer. 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 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!

Tips for Using the Martin Yale P6200 Letter Folder

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Fast and Simple Letter Folding with the Martin Yale P6200. 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.

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.

 

How to Use the Martin Yale 1711 AutoFolder

 

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … How To Use the Martin Yale 1711 Autofolder. 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.

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.  

Three Reasons to Use a Booklet Maker

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Three Reasons to Use a Booklet Maker. 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.

Do you create a lot of booklets? If so, it's time you considered using a booklet maker. Here are three reasons why....

1. To save time. Binding booklets by hand is one of the most time-consuming jobs out there, especially if you have many documents you need to assemble. After all, you not only have to write the copy, design the pages and cover, and print out the document, you'll need to fold the pages and staple them together. This can take up a good portion of your workday and it can also be tiring, especially if you don't have a good stapler. However, using a booklet maker can save you a lot of time and reduce the likelihood of fatigue. There are machines on the market that can process hundreds of documents per hour. Some devices can even bind more than 2,000 booklets in the same amount of time.

2. Versatility and ease of use. The vast majority of booklet makers are extremely versatile. They can usually handle different sizes of paper and sometimes have adjustable stapling heads so you can fasten your pages together with as many staples as you need. Also, there are a lot of devices that can be used just to fold paper, which will come in handy if you ever need to prepare a lot of documents for mailing. And best of all, most booklet makers are really easy to use, so you can create professional-looking documents without a lot of practice.

3. There are a lot to choose from. Finally, there are some great booklet makers available so you'll definitely be able to find one that's perfect for your particular needs. Some brand names you should look for are Formax, Standard, Akiles, and MBM. These companies have made their mark in the office machine world because they manufacture the best booklet makers in addition to binding machines, laminators, and paper shredders. There are booklet makers available at a variety of price points and there are both small and large machines, so it will be easy to choose one that's right for you.

These are three reasons why you should use a booklet maker. These machines are versatile and easy to use, there are many available, and they'll help you save a lot of time. Consider getting a booklet maker for your office today!

Five Things to Look for When Buying an Electric Paper Cutter

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Five Things to Look for When Buying an Electric Paper Cutter. 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.

Cutting hundreds of sheets of paper at a time is possible if you own an electric paper cutter. If you think you need one, check out the five things to look for when deciding which one is right for you:

1. Capacity. You're definitely going to want to look for a machine that can cut as many sheets as possible. Doing so will ensure that you can get your cutting done in as little time as possible so you can focus on other tasks. The good news is that many electric cutters can slice through entire reams of paper, so you'll be able to cut 500 or more sheets in a flash.
2. Depth. A cutter's depth indicates how much room there is behind the blade. This is important to know because it will dictate how long your sheets can be. Many cutters are able to handle letter-sized sheets (8.5" x 11") but you'll need to pay special attention to this specification if you plan on working with larger materials.
3. Width. Width is another thing that must be considered. You need to find out how wide the blade is and determine if it's compatible with your trimming needs. It's always helpful to choose a device that has a slightly larger blade than you need. This not only ensures that your materials will be accurately cut, it means that you'll be covered if you end up needing to cut larger sheets in the future.
4. An adjustable backstop. Using an electric cutter is easy but the machine you choose needs to have an adjustable backstop so that you'll always be able to get the exact results you want. A backstop will help you position the paper so it can be cut right where you need it. Backstops can either adjustable either automatically or manually. The automatic ones are more accurate and they're easier to use. (Manual ones require you to use a hand crank.) The main drawback to getting a trimmer with an automatic adjustable backstop is that they cost more. However, you might find that spending the extra money is worth it.
5. Safety features. Finally, it's extremely important to get a cutter that has reliable safety features. As one would expect, these devices are incredibly dangerous and operating them needs to be as safe as possible. The machine you choose should require two-handed operation (so your fingers aren't near the blade when cutting) and there should be a safety shield. Some trimmers are equipped with optical eyes that can detected if there are non-paper items near the blade. If something is detected, the machine won't operate. If that sort of feature sounds good to you, be sure to look for it.

Electric paper cutters are some of the most useful document finishing devices around, but like anything else, you need to look for certain things to ensure you select the one that's best for you. Cutting capacity is very important, as is width, depth, and the type of backstop. And don't forget to look for good safety features. Doing so will ensure you pick the right cutter. Good luck!

The Three Essential Safety Features Every Guillotine Cutter Must Have

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Guillotine Paper Cutter Safety: Three Features to Look For. 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.

 Guillotine paper cutters are helpful tools that can use used in the office, at school, and in artists' studios. These devices can help you cut a good amount of paper at once so you can save time. And they also give you some of the crispest cuts you'll ever see. That said, it's important to realize that paper cutters can be very dangerous and you could be injured easily, especially if you don't take the proper precautions. There are a few features you should look for when buy a paper cutter so you stay safe. Let's find out what those features are and why they're important.

1. A tension spring. One feature your cutter definitely needs is a tension spring. The tension spring will help the blade stay in place to that it won't fall down without warning once you take your hand off the handle. Any cutter that's worth the money will have this feature so it should be pretty easy to find the right device for your needs. That said, once you do have your trimmer, don't ever remove the tension spring from the device. It's just a dangerous thing to do.

2. A blade latch. Another must-have feature is a blade latch. This is a piece that's near the bottom of the device and it keeps the blade down when the device isn't in use. It's important to have this feature because someone might accidentally run their hand along the blade which can be really dangerous. If there's a blade latch, injuries are less likely to occur so make sure your decide has one.

3. The blade guard. Finally, the cutter you choose needs to have a blade guard. This feature is simply a guard the runs the length of the base and prevents your hands from running into the blade. Some of the cutters available have rotary guards that cover the blade during the entire cutting process. (A rotary guard is very handy, so you might want to look for one if safety if a very high priority for you.) One problem you might run into when using your new trimmer is that you may find the guard gets in the way or makes it difficult to cut. If this occurs, don't remove the guard. It's there for safety reasons after all.

Finally, when you're using a guillotine paper cutter, it's important to use good common sense so you can prevent injury. Don't use one when you're tired, too hurried to take the proper safety precautions, and so on. Wait until later to use device so that there won't be any problems.

As you can tell from reading this article, safety is very important when using a guillotine paper cutter. It's vital to select a device that has the safety features discussed above and to never tamper with them or remove them. It's too easy to become injured when using one of the trimmers, so you need to have all the protection possible. Good luck with your cutting projects and say safe!

Three Time-Saving Office Machines You Should Consider Getting

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Three Time-Saving Office Machines You Should Consider Getting. 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.

One of the most important professional skills to master is time management. Saving time can help you remain productive and meet deadlines. To succeed at time management, there are devices that can assist you. Here are three time-saving office machines you should consider getting:

1. A paper folding machine. Folding documents is one of the easiest office tasks, but it also happens to be one of the most time-consuming. If you only fold a few documents a day and don't send out large numbers of invoices or newsletters, you can probably do just fine folding your documents by hand. However, most people can benefit greatly from having access to a paper folder. This is a type of device that can take a stack of documents and fold them so they can be popped into envelopes without a lot of hassle. Paper folders can be small, desktop devices that are good for light use or they can be more heavy-duty and fold hundreds or even thousands of documents per hour. Since there are so many different folders to choose from, there's definitely one that's right for you.

2. A letter opener. If you get a paper folder, a letter opener can be a terrific accompaniment. A letter opener makes it quick and easy to process your mail, which can be really handy during the middle of a busy workday. There are a number of handheld openers to choose from, as well as larger devices that are perfect for companies that handle hundreds of pieces of mail per day. One of the many advantages to using a letter opener is that one can typically open a letter in such a way that the enclosed document doesn't get cut up. Also, using a letter opener can reduce the likelihood of paper cuts which is always a plus.

3. A pouch laminator. It almost goes without saying that paper can be easily damaged whether it's due to spills, rips, or overhandling. If you frequently have to recreate documents because they've fallen apart or become lost, you're probably wondering how you can save time so you can do something more constructive. The good news is a pouch laminator can help you out. You can use one of these devices to protect items ranging from name tags to placards, safety inspections to photographs. Using a laminator is easy once you get the hang of it and doing so will definitely make your materials much more durable. This will allow you to use your documents as often as possible and not worry about them becoming useless.

Saving time during the workday is important and if you have the right equipment, doing so can be easy. The three machines discussed in this article can help you manage time more efficiently, process incoming and outgoing mail, and protect important documents. Consider getting a paper folder, letter opener, and/or a pouch laminator to see how your workday can be easier and more productive. You'll be happy that you did.

Selecting a Booklet Maker: What to Consider

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Selecting a Booklet Maker: What 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.

 Distributing booklets can be a great way to disseminate information. These documents are perfect for schools, businesses, clubs, organizations, and more. They can also be used as a form of self-publishing so you can produce your own chapbooks and poetry collections. If you want to make your own books, it's important to have the right equipment. In other words, you need a booklet maker. These things should be considered when selecting one:

• The size of your documents. The most important thing to think about if you're buying a booklet maker is the size of paper that you're going to use. This is vital because while most of these machines can handle 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17” paper not all of them can work with other paper sizes. So be sure you think about the size of your documents and choose a device that will fit your needs.

• The number and location of the stapling heads. If you're going to be working with larger sheets of paper, you should select a unit that has more than two stapling heads. Larger paper needs to be stapled in a few different places to ensure that it's bound properly. Also, you should think about whether you want a booklet maker with adjustable or fixed stapling heads. Adjustable heads will be handy if you want to work with a variety of different paper sizes.

• The thickness of your documents. As you probably already know, a booklet is essentially a small book that contains a small amount of pages. You need to consider how thick your documents are going to be and choose a booklet maker that can handle a specific amount of paper. There are machines available that can produce documents containing up to 60 pages, so you should be able to find one that's perfect for you.

• How much time you want to save. The main purpose of using a booklet maker is so that you can produce as many books as possible in short amount of time. After all, creating booklets by hand is extremely time-consuming, especially if you need to produce a lot of them. Thus, you need to choose a device that operates at a speed with which you are comfortable. Speed is usually calculated by how many documents a device can crank out in an hour. Determine how many books you need to produce in a given time and then choose a machine that can help you achieve your goal.

• If you want multifunctional capabilities. There are some booklet makers that can fold and staple paper in addition to making books. If you don't already have a good stapler or letter folder, it can be helpful to get a device with these capabilities. That way, you'll have an all-in-one unit for a variety of document finishing needs.

A booklet maker is essential if you regularly make your own books. Start looking for your machine today now that you know what to look for when selecting one.

The Swingline EX10-05 Paper Shredder: A Review

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … The Swingline EX10-05 Paper Shredder: A Review. 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.

 Do you need a personal paper shredder? If you do, then you should consider the Swingline EX10-05. Here's what we have to say about this device....

• This is a shredder that was designed for personal use so you can use it at home or in a small office. It's a nice size – it only measures 15” (height) x 14” (weight) x 9” (depth) so you can store it just about anywhere.

• The EX10-05 has a durable cutting mechanism that can shred up to 12 pieces of paper at once even if they still have paper clips or staples attached to them. This is a great shredding capacity for a personal-sized device. You can also use this shredder to get rid of unopened mail.

• If you have any CD's or credit cards you want to get rid of, they can be run through the EX10-05. This will help you protect your banking information and any sensitive files that may be on your CD's. There is a designated bin for plastic shreds so it's easy to recycle them.

• The EX10-05 is a cross-cut shredder. That means the cutting mechanism will slice through your paper two ways so that you'll have as much protection as possible. This will help your protect your identity so others can't steal it, especially since a letter-sized sheet of paper will be turned into more than 400 pieces that measure 0.25” x 0.5”.

• This shredder has a waste bin that can hold up to 5 gallons of paper particles. The bin has a window so you can see how full it's getting. When it's full, just recycle the contents and you can continue shredding. (There's a handle on top of the machine so you can remove the shredder head before getting rid of the shreds.)

• Unfortunately, this machine doesn't have any anti-jam features. Thus, you might have to deal with a paper jam at some point. To prevent this from happening, make sure you never shred more than 12 sheets at a time and empty the waste bin when it's full.

• If you're concerned about saving energy, the EX10-05 would be the machine to get. It will shut off when it hasn't been used in a while so you can conserve power. This feature also helps protect the motor from burning itself out.

• This device isn't designed for heavy-duty, non-stop shredding. You can use it continuously for up to 4 minutes but you then need to let it sit for 40 minutes.

• And last but not least, the EX10-05 has a one-year warranty just in case you have any problems with it.

Final rating: 8. Overall, the Swingline EX10-05 is a top-notch paper shredder that's great for personal use. It's capable of shredding a good amount of paper at once, it can handle CD's and credit cards, and it's great that there are separate waste bins for different shred types. This machine offers good security so you can protect your private information. The only thing that this shredder is missing is some sort of anti-jam feature. If it had that, it would be perfect. Nonetheless, the EX10-05 is still great, so pick it up if you need a personal shredder.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Paper Folder

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Things to Consider When Choosing a Paper Folder. 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.

Are you thinking of getting a paper folder so you can save time? If you are, there are some things you need to think about when selecting one. Let's take a look at them....

• The size of your documents. The most important consideration (aside from your budget, which will be discussed in a moment) is definitely how large (or small) your documents are. Most of the folders available have no problem working with letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”) but your choices will become limited if you need to work with smaller or larger sheets. So be sure to think about the sizes of your documents before shelling out the money for your machine.

• The kind of paper you use. Most of the paper that's used up in this country is of the 20 lb. bond variety which is something most folders can handle. If you use different kinds of paper (such as cardstock), you should look for a device that's capable of working with your preferred materials. A lot of the folders that can handle different paper types tend to be higher-end units, so you may have to put out a bit more money to get one that's right for your needs.

• The types of folds you need. When people buy a folder, they're usually looking for something that can fold sheets into thirds so that the documents can go straight into envelopes for mailing. However, there are devices available that can do other folds. These machines can be handy for a number of reasons and they can do folds that will impress people. Unfortunately, most of the lower-end devices can only do one or two types of folds, so you may need to go with a more sophisticated machine if you want to choose from a variety of different fold types.

• How much you need to fold. Paper folders can be either small or large and they come with varying folding capacities. If you only need to process a handful of documents per day, a compact desktop device would be perfect. However, if you need to work with hundreds of documents in a short period of time, choosing one of the larger devices would be a good idea. Be sure to check out the folding capacity of your desired machine before taking it back to your office.

• How much you can spend. Finally, your budget is an important consideration. A well-made folder is likely to be on the pricey side, so you should be prepared to make somewhat of an investment. Make sure you balance your needs with how much money you can spend so you get the device that's right for you without going broke.

There are several things you need to consider when you're choosing a paper folder and all of them are pretty important. Paper size and type should be considered from the get-go so you can get something that can properly process your documents. Then you can think about fold types and so on. After you do that, you'll be ready to pick out your machine. Good luck!