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

Three New Document Finishing Machines for Spring

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Three New Document Finishing Machines for Spring. 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.

Spring has finally arrived. Not only does that mean that it’s getting warmer outside and that summer’s on the way, it means there’s a crop of new document finishing machines available. Here are three of them that you should check out….

1.)    The Fastback 20 tape binding machine.  The Fastback 20 is a follow-up model to Powis Parker’s popular Fastback 15 and it’s an absolutely incredible device. This machine uses environmentally friendly binding strips to secure documents containing from 10 to 350 pages. And it does so quickly: it can bind a document in about 20 seconds after only taking 3 minutes to warm up.  You can even edit the documents after they’ve been bound. Also, the Fastback 20 has a graphical user interface that makes binding books easier than ever. This is definitely the hottest machine on the market this spring, so be sure to check it out.

2.)    The Swingline Stack and Shred paper shredder.  Paper shredders are very popular these days due to the passing of federal privacy laws such as the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the unfortunate prevalence of identity theft. Luckily, Swingline’s new Stack and Shred makes shredding private documents a snap. This device can shred up to 100 sheets at once so it won’t take forever to get rid of those sensitive documents. It’s also easy to use. All you need to do is stack the paper in the machine, close the lid, and the machine will start shredding. Best of all, the device is a cross-cut model so you can be sure your information is protected.

3.)    The Tamerica Flexibind binding machine. Have you ever wanted a device that can do a few different types of binding? If so, the Tamerica Flexibind is the machine for you. This incredibly durable device works with plastic combs, color coils, and twin-loop wire spines so you can give your document the look it needs. Since the Flexibind is so durable (it has all-metal construction), it’s ideal for companies that bind frequently. No matter what you need to bind, chances are the Flexibind can handle it.

These are three of the new document finishing devices that are available this spring. If you’re so inclined, check them out so you can bind and/or shred your documents. Good luck!

 

Get Binding with the Versatile Tamerica FlexiBind Combination Binding Machine

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Get Binding with the Versatile Tamerica FlexiBind Combination Binding Machine. 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.

Tamerica is one of the country's most popular binding machine manufacturers and they've recently released several new machines that are simply perfect for office use. One of these devices is the FlexiBind, a machine that can perform more than one binding method. This is one of the best binding devices available at the moment. Here are several reasons why you should get the FlexiBind for your workplace:

• The FlexiBind can do three different kinds of binding: plastic comb, color coil, and twin-loop wire. This gives you incredible flexibility when binding your documents so you'll be able to produce work for a variety of different purposes. When you want to use wire implements, you can use both 3:1 and 2:1 pitch spines which is very convenient.

• This machine has an electric punching mechanism. There's also an electric coil inserter, a comb opener, and a built-in wire holder/closer. Coil binding couldn't be easier because the inserter is controlled by a foot pedal. All together, this machine is really easy to operate.

• The FlexiBind has a unique look and it's not very large. It has plenty of metal parts which makes it durable and able to handle frequent use.

• Each unit comes with a three-month warranty so you can get it fixed in case you experience any problems.

The Tamerica FlexiBind is one of the best combination binding machines available today. It would be a perfect addition to your copy room, office, or mail room. You'll be amazed at how it great it will make your documents look. You also appreciate how easy it is to operate this device. All in all, the Tamerica FlexiBind is what you need if you need to bind your documents. Take a look at it today so you can start binding with it.

Binding Legal-Sized Documents: Methods to Use

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Binding Legal-Sized Documents: Methods to Use. 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 haven't already done so, you should think about binding your own documents. This is one task that can be very efficient, cost-effective, and rewarding – especially once you hold a finished book in your hands. Most of the bookbinding devices on the market are really designed for letter-sized paper that measures 8.5” x 11” which can be problematic if you ever need produce documents that are legal-sized (8.5” x 14”). Luckily, there are things you can do and supplies to stock up on so you're prepared. Let's take a look at three of the most common binding methods and how you can use them to assemble legal-sized books.

1. Coil coil. Binding with color coils is really popular because the coils can be used to bind books of different sizes. They're also available in almost any color you could ever want, from black and white to pastel and neon shades. Coils are pretty affordable and they're available in various lengths including ones that are 15” long. (That's the recommended length for a legal-sized book.) To process your documents, you'll need a punch that can handle larger pieces of paper. And when you're ready to spin the coil through your work, you can use a spine former to align the pages and then insert the coil by hand. You can then fold the coil ends in with a pair of crimping pliers. That's all there is to it.

2. Plastic comb. Plastic comb binding has been around for a long time and it's still incredibly popular thanks to its simplicity and low cost. Combs are great for thicker documents since they can be used in books that contain over 400 pages. And, best of all, it's pretty easy to find combs that are the right-length for legal-sized works. There are comb binding machines available that can process larger documents and they tend to have disengageable punching dies and an open throat. The disengageable dies will help you punch the correct number of holes for documents of different sizes so you can use the same machine for large and small books.

3. Twin-loop wire. Twin-loop wire binding requires the use of a machine with disengageable dies, just like the plastic comb method. The main difference between the two methods (aside from their look – wires look more sophisticated than plastic combs) is that you need to custom order wire spines. Thus, they need to be ordered well ahead of when you're going to be binding. Needless to say, this can be inconvenient, especially if a big project just fell in your lap. However, books that are bound with wire spines look great, so the inconvenience can be worth it.

Binding legal-sized documents isn't really that different from working with smaller documents. You just need to make sure that you select a machine that's compatible with your paper and order your spines ahead of time, if necessary. If you do that, you're well on your way to producing documents of which you can be proud. Good luck and happy binding!

Great Binding Methods for Scrapbooking

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … What to Use As Binding For Your Scrapbooks. 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.

Scrapbooking is a great hobby. It offers you a way to be as artistic as possible while creating mementos that can be treasured for years and even passed down to new generations. Since this craft is so popular, there are a lot of supplies available for it including scrapbooks that have already been bound. However, it is possible to bind your own – you just need to choose a bookbinding method. Here are a few you can choose from....

1. Plastic comb binding. This is one of the easiest ways to make a scrapbook and the supplies are pretty cheap. (You can even get a binding device for very little money since some machines cost less than $100.00.) You've probably seen plastic combs before since they're used to bind a lot of different kinds of books. Plastic combs can bind books that are more than 400 pages long and they can be re-opened so you can edit your scrapbook as often as you want. There are a lot of different colors available so you can find one that matches your book's color scheme. This is a great bookbinding method for scrapbooks so be sure to give it some consideration.

2. Twin-loop wire binding. If you want to create an elegant-looking book, using a twin-loop wire binding machine is a great way to do so. This bookbinding method is especially good for scrapbooks that commemorate weddings or other special events. One of the best things about wire spines is that when they're closed, they make the book lie completely flat. (This makes for easy reading.)  You can also rotate the pages pretty freely which makes it easier to view the book's contents. Wire spines and machines are a little bit more expensive that what you need for comb binding, but it's worth it if you're really into your craft.

3. Thermal binding. Finally, thermal binding is a terrific way to assemble your scrapbook. It's fast and easy. Depending on the device, there are sometimes just three steps to the process so you can spend more time enjoying the fruits of your labor. You can make hardcover books with thermal machines which is really helpful if you want to create a scrapbook that will last a long time. There are some other great thermal covers available including ones that have windows cut into them so you can show off a title page. Thermal devices can be pricey so you'll want to think carefully before getting one. However, once you use one, you'll probably be so impressed with the results that you'll wonder why you ever used anything else.

There are other bookbinding methods out there, but plastic comb, twin-loop wire, and thermal binding are particularly good ones when it comes to scrapbooking. The biggest advantage to assembling your own book is that you have total control over the entire process. This will enable you to create scrapbooks you can take pride in. Be sure to think about assembling your own scrapbooks. It will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. 

Binding Half-Letter Sized Documents: What You Need

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Binding Half-Letter Sized Documents: What You Need. 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 been binding your documents lately, you're probably aware that there are many different paper sizes. The most common one is letter-sized (8.5” x 11”) and it's the kind of paper typically used in photocopiers and printers. Most binding machines are designed to handle letter-sized sheets but at some point, you may want to bind books that are half-letter sized. In other words, ones that measure 8.5” x 5.5”. Binding documents with these dimensions can be difficult. However, it's not impossible. You just need the right machine and supplies and you may already have them. Let's take a look at what you're going to need....

1. First of all, you need to use a machine that has disengageable dies. This means that the device can punch different hole patterns. You can disengage the dies you don't need so that you'll be able to perfectly punch the 8.5” side of the paper. If your machine doesn't have disengageable dies, you can still punch the sheets but you'll have holes running off the sides of your document. That doesn't look particularly good.

2. There are a few different binding elements you can use when assembling a half-letter sized book. For example, plastic combs are a great choice because there are some that are manufactured for smaller documents. Spiral coils are also available in shorter lengths. The longer coils can even be trimmed down with scissors if that's all you have on-hand. You can also trim twin-loop wire spines, although you'll need a pair of wire cutters. (Regular scissors just won't cut it. No pun intended.)

3. Once you have your binding elements, you can begin thinking about the paper and covers you need for your documents. Half-letter sized paper can be difficult to find but you can make your own. Just use a rotary trimmer or guillotine cutter to cut 8.5” x 11” paper in half. It's really that simple. You can also do this to covers of the same size if you can't find any to purchase. If you choose to use plastic covers, make sure your cutter can handle it. (Not all paper cutters can slice through plastic. )

4. Once you have your machine and supplies, you're ready to begin binding your books. Make sure certain dies are disengaged before you punch your pages. After that, just follow the instructions that came with your machine. You'll end up with great-looking documents in no time whether you're putting together journals, cookbooks, presentations, and so on.

Binding half-letter sized documents isn't that different from assembling letter-sized books. However, you do need a certain type of machine and special supplies. The good news is you may already have the right binding implements, paper, and covers on-hand. If so, you can simply trim them down to the size you need. (Just make sure you have the right cutting tools especially if you're going to be using plastic covers.) After that, the rest is pretty easy: just punch and bind. Good luck with your bookbinding projects!

Four Different Binding Methods: An Introduction

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Four Different Binding Methods: An Introduction. 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 to bind some documents? If so, here are four different bookbinding methods you should know about in order to get the results you need. Here they are in alphabetical order.

• Coil binding. This bookbinding method entails spinning plastic coils through the holes punched near the edge of a document. Sometimes this method is called “color coil binding” because the coils are available in dozens of colors ranging from black to fluorescent green. One of the major advantages to using coils is that they allow your documents to lie flat which makes them easier to read. They're available in many sizes as well so you can bind documents that are up to 440 pages long. (Note: putting together longer documents can be a bit tricky. So you should keep that in mind if you're planning on producing thick books.) Coils are perfect for reports, portfolios, workbooks, and more.

• Comb binding. This is probably the most popular bookbinding method even though it's been around for almost half a century. Its popularity is based on a few factors including low cost, which is always a plus. It's very easy to bind with plastic combs so it's a good choice for a beginner. Combs can be up to 2” thick and bind books containing as many as 425 pages. This is another method that will allow your document to lie flat so you can use it to bind workbooks, cookbooks, and so on.

• Thermal binding. This method has grown in popularity in recent years because it can make any document look like a professionally bound book. This bookbinding method entails putting the pages of your book into thermal cover and then placing the entire thing in a thermal binding machine. The heat the machine emits will melt the adhesive in the cover's spine. The process only takes a couple of minutes but it will give your a book that looks like a hardcover of paperback book you'd see in a bookstore. The supplies for this bookbinding technique can be a bit pricy but the results are worth it, especially if you have a client or colleague you're trying to impress.

• Wire binding. Finally, there's wire binding which is great if you want to make your documents look sophisticated and professional. Wire spines come in several different colors (gold and silver are very popular) and they can be used to bind documents that are up to 300 pages long. This bookbinding method is used a lot for marketing materials and it can also be used for presentations, catalogs, and more. Wire spines will let your book lie flat and you can even wrap the pages around which is convenient. The only drawback to use wire spines is that they can be crushed pretty easily, so they're not the best choice if you're going to be mailing your work.

All four of these binding methods can help you produce great-looking documents. Choose the one that's right for you and get ready to start binding!

Wire Binding Machine Features to Look For

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Wire Binding Machine 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.

There are many different ways to put together professional documents and one especially popular way is by using a wire binding machine. This type of bookbinding can give your work a sophisticated look that will give everyone who reads your work a great impression. To put your work together in this manner, you need a wire binding machine. If you don't already have one, you'll want to look for the following features when shopping....

1. The right pitch. When “pitch” is discussed in regards to bookbinding, people are referring to the number holes that are punched per an inch of paper. This dictates which binding elements can be used to finish off the book. Wire spines are available in two pitches: 2:1 and 3:1. Generally speaking, the 3:1 spines are best for short documents the 2:1 supplies are for thicker books. You're going to want to make sure that the machine you choose can handle the supplies you're interested in using. Otherwise, you're not going to be able to bind any documents.

2. Disengageable dies. Having a wire binding machine with disengageable punching dies can be very convenient and give you a lot of freedom. If your select a machine with these kinds of dies, you'll be able to bind books of different sizes. You won't just be stuck putting together documents with letter-sized paper. This is really helpful if you think you're going to be working with paper that's 5.5” x 8.5”, 11” x 17”, and so on.

3. A wire closer. The machine you pick definitely needs to have a wire closer or else your books are going to fall apart. All these feature really does is take your wire binding element and gently crimp it so it goes from being C-shaped to being circular. This secures your document's pages and pretty much ends the binding process. The device you choose should have a closer that's made out of metal since plastic ones break pretty easily.

4. A document hanger. Another feature your device should have is a document hanger. This part of the machine will hold the wire for you so you can insert the spine's tines through the holes in the paper. A hanger will make the bookbinding process go by a lot faster and it helps make it easier as well.

5. A good brand name and a great warranty. Making sure you get a device from a reputable manufacturer is essential if you want something that will last a long time. Some of the brand names to keep an eye open for are Akiles, Rhin-O-Tuff, Renz, DFG, and Tamerica. Also, be sure to find out what the warranty is like. A year-long warranty is usually the sign of a good product.

These are the features that a good wire binding machine will have. It's important to make sure you choose a device that has all of them so your bookbinding experience will be great. Start looking for your device today so you can begin binding!

Half-Letter Sized Documents: How to Bind Them

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …Half-Letter Sized Documents: How to Bind 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.

Whether you're new to bookbinding or have been at it for years, there will probably come a time when you need to put together a document that's 8.5” x 5.5”. This is known as half-letter size since a piece of paper with these dimensions is basically just half of a sheet that measures 8.5” x 11”. Binding documents that are 8.5” x 5.5” can be challenging due to the way some machines are designed and the availability (or lack thereof) of supplies. However, it is possible to do so. This article will fill you in on some tips and tickets you can try.

• If you have a binding machine equipped with disengageable dies, you can use it to put together your document. Since your device is equipped to handle the long side of a 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper, you can “turn off” some of the dies so your paper will be punched properly. This will ensure that the document has the right number of holes.

• Now you'll need to make sure that you have the right binding supplies for your project. Plastic combs can be special ordered in 8.5” lengths as can color coils. You could even take one of the binding elements and cut it down to the appropriate length with scissors. (You can also do this with GBC ZipBind and ProClick spines if you prefer those supplies.) If you have a wire binding machine, it's possible to order the right spines, although it could take a while to get them due to the nature of custom ordering. And if you're using a VeloBind device, you can just purchase strips that are the right length.

• Once you have your binding elements, it's time to select the covers for your documents. If you can get access to a paper trimmer, you can just cut regular-sized covers down to the appropriate dimensions. (If you're working with plastic covers, make sure you're using a cutter than can handle non-paper materials.) You can also purchase half-letter size covers but finding them can be a bit of a challenge. You should also make sure you have the right size paper on-hand and be ready to trim the sheets if necessary. (Slicing a stack of 8.5” x 11” sheets in half is a quick and easy way to get the right paper for your work.)

• Once you have all of your supplies ready to go, you can start binding your documents. Once you make sure the appropriate dies are disengaged (if applicable), you can bind your work in the usual manner. If you have any questions about how to operate your machine, be sure to consult the instruction manual.

As you can see, binding half-letter size documents is a bit tricky due to the capabilities of certain binding machines and the availability of some supplies. However, with a little bit of planning and ingenuity, you'll find that processing these documents is completely doable. Start binding your half-letter size documents today for yourself to see that it's totally possible to do so.

Common Binding Machine Problems and How to Solve Them

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Common Binding Machine Problems and How to Solve 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.

If you have a plastic comb, twin-loop wire, or color coil binding machine, you're probably glad that it's pretty easy to operate. However, even the most user-friendly machine can give you problems once in a while whether its due to user error or because there's something wrong with the device. Here's some of the most common problems people experience with their binding machines as well as some tips on how to fix them so you can finish the job.

1. It's hard to turn the pages of your document. If you run into this problem, it could be one of two things. First, you may have picked a binding element (comb, wire, coil) that's too small. If that's the case, you can re-bind your work with something larger. Second, it could be that your work's binding is too close to – or too far away from – the edge of the pages. Consult your owner's manual to determine the correct punch setting for next time.

2. The punching handle gets stuck in position. The handle can get stuck in place if the machine gets jammed up. The best way to handle this is by continuing to carefully punch your document until you can remove your paper. (Don't try to forcefully remove the sheets. This can really damage your device.) You can then check to see how jammed the machine is and fix the problem accordingly.

3. The holes were punched crookedly. Sometimes your document won't get punched properly which can make it difficult to properly bind it. If you find that the holes are crooked, be sure to align the paper properly next time. If the machine is jammed due to paper chips, you can use something thin to clear away the debris.

4. The device didn't punch the holes as cleanly as it should. If you punch your document and you find the the holes aren't crisp, it means that you're punching too many sheets at a time. Punch less sheets at once and the problem should be solved.

5. One of the holes runs off the edge of the page. Finally, you may find sometime that you have an incomplete hole at one (or both) ends of your document. The best way to prevent this is to use paper that's the right size for your device and making sure your documents are aligned properly before you lower the punching handle. This may involve tweaking the edge adjustment guide if your device has one.

These are some of the most common problems people experience when using their comb, wire, and/or coil binding machines. Luckily, these issues are pretty easy to deal with so you won't have to spend a lot of time troubleshooting. You'll be able to fix things and continue binding. If you have a problem that's beyond the scope of this article, check out your owner's manual or get in touch with a service technician just to be safe. (Especially since trying to fix things yourself might inadvertently void your device's warranty.) Good luck with your projects!

How to Bind Documents Using Spiral O Wire

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …How to Bind Documents Using Spiral O Wire. 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.

Spiral-O wire binding supplies are designed for a very specific set of applications. Users of Spiralo wire binding usually fall into one of two categories. Some users have an older Ibico comb binding machine with a wire closer built in. These machines were designed for use with Ibiwire (Ibico Wire) which has now been discontinued. However, Ibiwire has been replaced by Spiral-O wire binding spines. The second group of users for Spiral-O wire binding includes companies that own a heavy duty comb binding punch, a wire closer but not a wire binding machine. In either case, this article is designed to provide a simple step by step guide to binding document with Spiral-o wire. Here they are...

1. The first step to binding documents using SpiralO wire is to prepare your document. If you are going to use paper or plastic binding covers you should assemble your books with the covers in place. You will often find that your punch will be more effective if you punch the covers as part of the book instead of by themselves (if you are using oversize covers you will need to punch them by themselves since they are not the same size as the pages from your document). After you have assembled your document you need to measure your book so that you can choose the correct size of wire for your presentation. In order to choose the correct size of spiral-o just measure the thickness of the document (do not compress the pages) and add 1/8" to allow your pages to move freely. Spiral-o binding spines are available in sizes from 1/4" and 1" in diameter.
2. The second step to binding documents with 19 loop wire is to set up your binding machine. Since you will be using your comb binding punch you will simply need to set up your punch just like you are punching a document for comb binding. You will need to adjust the edge of paper guide to properly center the 19 holes on your paper. You will also need to set the depth of punch margin control to the middle setting and disengage any necessary pins so the holes do not run off the edge of your pages.
3. Now that your document is ready and your machine is set up you are finally ready to punch your document. For the best results, you are going to want to punch your document in small sections or lifts. Depending on your binding machine these lifts might be as small as just a few pages or as large as thirty to forty pages. Either way, you are going to want to punch your documents in small sections and reassemble your documents so that they are ready for the next step.
4. Finally, you are ready to finish the binding process and add the wire to the edge of your book. Depending on which binding machine you are using there may or may not be a wire holder. If there is a wire holder you will want to hang the wire on the wire holder than then hang the pages onto the wire. If your machine does not have a wire holder you will need to carefully insert the binding spine through the holes in the book by hand. When the C shaped spiral-o wire is inserted onto the edge of the book you then need to insert it into your wire closer (making sure that the wire closer is set to the appropriate size) and then pull the handle to squeeze the wire shut.

Following these four steps, you can bind your documents using 19 loop wire in just minutes. If you have a comb binding machine with a wire closer then this is a great option for giving your reports, documents, presentations and proposals a different look and feel. Try it for yourself.