Color coil binding (also known as Spiral, CoilBind, plastic coil binding) is one of the most popular and fastest growing of all binding styles. Documents bound in this manner lay flat and the pages can turn 360 degrees around the flexible pvc spine. Coil binding is fast and easy, and offers a wide variety of colors to choose from. 1. Select the proper size of color coil element * As with other spiral coil styles, your provider should be able to give you suggestions for the appropriate size of coil to match your document. * It is important to not use a coil binding that is too small for your document as production time, appearance, and the functionality of the document will be greatly affected. * Appearance is always a good indicator of the fit. * Coil is available in a variety of pitches; make sure to match your pitch to your punch. o The most common pitch is 4:1 (or 4 holes per inch) o Also available is 5:1 and 6mm, 3:1 is a much less common pitch 2. Starting the Color Coil Binding * Many spiral binding machines have a spine forming channel, this is a useful feature to help create the contours to aid in the initial insertion of the spiral coil. * Begin to spin the coil onto the punched document by hand. It is a good idea to spin the binding on at least an inch. * After the binding is started, hold it near the rubber rollers. Apply gentle pressure to the coil binding against the roller. 3. Crimping the spiral element * When the coil is spun onto the document, the excess element needs to be cut and crimped using cut and crimp pliers. * When using the cut/crimp pliers, always use them in your right hand with your thumb next to the red dot. * Make sure that the prongs on the cut/crimp pliers are in contact with the coil and squeeze. This will cut of the excess and fold the coil binding over to keep it from uncoiling. Trouble shooting: The Spiral coil is not inserting into the document * Make sure that the pitch of the binding supplies matches the pitch of the holes. * The Coil is too small for document. * Large diameter coil bindings (such as 1" and above) are difficult to insert in the best of conditions. Try an oval hole punch. Coil binding not folding over when cut * Make sure that the cut/crimp pliers are in your right hand with the dot facing up. If not the pliers will cut and crimp the section of coil binding that you want to cut off! * Make sure that both of the prongs of the cut/crimp pliers make contact with the coil binding. This can be somewhat difficult on 6mm and 7mm coil bindings due to the small diameter. Notes and suggestions: * Auto cutter/crimpers are available in single or double configurations. They can be tedious to set up, but save a lot of time for longer production runs. * If possible, do not use coil bindings for documents over 1" thick. The document does not function the way that coil binding is intended to. The increased thickness of the binding and the weight of the book cause the pages not turn as freely. * Another common configuration of a coil binding inserter is a wheel. The wheel can be faster for experienced users, but it is more difficult to learn.Smaller volume users typically have more success with the roller style of inserter. * Coil binding is sold by the inch, so it is possible to get coil binding in 9" lengths for top spines and eliminate waste, or 18" lengths for 11 x 17 documents. Coil binding is the best method of binding when you have non-standard spine size needs. * Coil binding is available in over 60 colors, by far the most of any binding style

Velobind and Surebind hot knife binding systems provide the most secure, tamper proof bind available on the market. For this reason it is the binding style of choice used by lawyers, government offices and others who need to protect the security of their documents. However, if you have never bound a document using a hot knife binding system it can be a little bit tricky to figure out. This article is designed to provide a simple step by step guide to binding documents using a hot knife Velobind or Surebind system. 1. The first step in binding a document with a hot knife Velobind binding system is to prepare your document. After you have printed the pages for your document you need to assemble any index tabs, inserts and binding covers that you intend to use with your document. You will find that it is easiest to fully assemble your documents before you start the binding process so that the documents don't get jumbled during the punching and binding process. 2. After you have assembled your document including covers, index tabs and inserts the next step is to punch your pages. If you have a Velobind or Surebind System One you will punch your documents manually by pulling the handle. If you have a system two or system three binding machine, the punch will be electric and will be operated by the push of a button or a foot pedal. As always, it is best to punch your documents in small sections along with index tabs and covers being careful not to try and punch too many sheets at one time. Punching smaller lifts will help ensure cleaner holes, less paper jams and will prolong the life of your punch. 3. After you have finished punching your documents, you are ready to start the binding process. Velobind and Surebind hot knife strips are composed of two parts (the comb and the receiving strip). The receiving strip is a long straight rectangular piece of plastic and has either 10 or 11 holes to correspond with the number of pins on the comb. The receiving strip also has an extra smaller hole to help you align the strip on your hot knife binding machine. Using this small hole you need to place the receiving strip onto your binding machine. Then you need to take the comb and push the pins through the holes in the punched document. You then need to push the remainder of the pins through the holes in the receiving strip and into the binding machine. 4. Now that your document along with the strip is placed correctly on the machine, the final step in the binding process is to have the machine complete the bind. To bind your document, you simply lower the pressure bar onto the strip and pull the handle or press the button to complete the bind. The machine will compress the strip and weld the strip into place cutting off the pins in the process. After the machine beeps to let you know the binding process is completed you can remove your document and bind another. The finished books bound with Velobind or Surebind hot knife systems can't be taken apart or edited without cutting the velo binding strip. Your documents will have a tight, professional and permanent bind that is sure to give your presentations a look that you can be proud of.

Whether you are considering purchasing a Thermal Binding Machine or already have one, if you don't know how to use the machine it won't do you a lot of good. Fortunately, binding documents using a Thermal binding machine is one of the easiest methods of binding. In fact, binding documents with this type of equipment is much like using a toaster (just with a couple of twists). This article is designed to provide you with a simple step by step guide to binding documents with Thermal binding. Here it is... 1. The first step to binding your documents with a thermal binding machine is to prepare your document. It is important that you print and assemble your complete document before you start the binding process. You will want to make sure that all of your pages are properly collated and jogged together so that they are completely flush. If your pages are not flush at this step then they will not be flush when you complete the binding process. 2. The second step is to select your thermal binding cover. Since Thermal Binding uses a one piece presentation cover with glue down the spine, it is essential that you choose the correct spine size for your thermal binding cover. When choosing the spine thickness for your cover it is important that you don't choose a spine that it too small or too large. If the spine is too small the pages won't fit and will fall out. If the spine is too large the extra space in the spine will look odd leaving you with a less desirable bind. However, if you can't match the exact size of your document, then you will need to make sure that you round up and not down. It is always better to have too much space than not enough. 3. The third step in binding your documents with thermal binding is to insert the pages of your document into your cover. This step is very simple. However, it is very important that you ensure the pages of your cover remain tight, flush and settle firmly into the spine. Every page in the document needs to come into contact with the glue in the spine of the book otherwise they might eventually fall out. Normally the pages in the middle of your document are not a problem but at times the pages from the front or back of the document can stick to the cover because of static electricity. This is something to remember and to check before proceeding to the next step. 4. The fourth step is to start the binding process. Some thermal binding machines do not require any warm up time while others require you to wait until the machine has heated up. Either way, after your machine is ready the next step is to place your document into the machine. After a minute or so, the machine will indicate that the heating process is complete and your document will be ready to remove. 5. The final step in binding your document is to remove it from the binding machine and to allow it to cool. However, after you remove the document from the machine and before you place it in the cooling rack you should tap the spine of the book on a table or a hard surface. It is important that you do this while the spine is still hot so that the pages will settle further into the spine glue. After you have tapped the spine on a hard surface you will want to leave your document for fifteen minutes before using it. This will ensure that the glue is fully cured and that your pages will not fall out. These five steps provide a simple step by step guide to binding a document using a thermal binding system. However, one of the great things about Thermal Binding is that it allows you to bind multiple documents at one time. All you have to do is prepare your documents and then insert multiple documents into your machine at one time. Really, it is very simple and very fast. Try it for yourself.

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.

In 2004, General Binding Corporation (GBC for short) introduced a new binding style called Proclick. This revolutionary new type of binding was designed to allow easy editing of documents, presentations and proposals in the field by sales professionals. Proclick is designed for use along with a 3:1 pitch hole pattern making it compatible with many common twin loop wire binding machines. Or it can be used along with a special Proclick binding punch. This article is designed to provide a simple set of step by step instructions for binding documents using Proclick and a manual binding punch. 1. The first step for binding documents using Proclick is to assemble your document. After printing the pages for your document you need to assemble the document along with the binding covers and any index tabs or inserts that you want to add to the document. 2. After you have assembled your document, you can choose the size of Proclick spine that is most appropriate for your document. Currently there are only three sizes of Proclick binding spines available. Small (5/16"), Medium (1/2") and Large (5/8"). Depending on the thickness of your document, you will need to round up to the size slightly larger than your document. 3. After you have selected the appropriate size of Proclick binding spine you will need to select the color for your spines. Currently there are four colors available for Proclick binding: Black, Navy Blue, White and Frost. 4. After preparing your document, and selecting the size and color of the Proclick spine, you can finally start the binding process. You are ready to punch the pages. Depending on the binding machine that you are using, punching your document will work differently. Most manual binding machines involve inserting small stacks of paper into the punching slot and pulling the handle to punch the holes. However, the Proclick P50 which is designed specifically for use with Proclick binding spines uses a punching mechanism that slides across the binding edge to punch the pages. Either way, you will need to punch your document in small sections until the whole document is punched and ready for the spine. 5. After your document is punched you will need to take the Proclick spine that you have chosen and prepare it for binding your document. In order to make the binding process go easier you will want to crease your binding spine slightly so that it will close more easily. You will then want to take the spine and insert it through the holes of your document. The easiest way to do this tends to be to hold the document with one hand and use the other hand to string the Proclick spine through the holes. 6. Once the spine has been threaded through the holes of the document you will need to snap the first few loops shut manually using your hand. After you have snapped the first few loops shut you can use the Proclick zipper tool (one is included in every box of Proclick strips) to zip the rest of the spine shut. Using these simple instructions you can quickly and easily bind document manually with Proclick binding spines. If you are looking for a faster way to bind documents with Proclick spines, new automated Proclick Pronto binding systems are available. Either way, Proclick provides a professional look with easy editing capabilities.

Many of you have noticed that GBC has recently changed the designations and packaging for their laminating pouches. This change is part of a new direction that GBC is going with its laminating supplies to better meet the demands of the pouch lamination market. Here is a quick overview of some of the changes that GBC has made in its 2007 offering of laminating pouches: 1. GBC now divides its HeatSeal line of laminating pouches into three different categories. The highest quality laminating pouches are called Ultra Clear laminating pouches, the middle grade of laminating pouches are called Crystal Clear laminating pouches and the economy grade of laminating pouches are simply called Clear laminating pouches. 2. GBC has discontinued its line of Long Life Ultra Clear laminating pouches and replaced it with the “Ultra Clear” line of laminating pouches. The primary difference between the old Extra Long Life GBC pouches and the new pouches is that the old Extra Long Life Pouches used to contain a UV protectant. However, since most laminated materials are used indoors GBC noted that the majority of customers did not want to pay extra for the UV protection. GBC no longer offers any laminating pouches with UV protection. 3. GBC has chosen to discontinue all of its 7mil HeatSeal laminating pouches. They noticed that over the past few years the majority of the market has moved to either 5mil or 10mil laminating pouches. Thus, GBC’s new line of laminating pouches no longer include any 7mil laminating pouches. 4. GBC has changed the packaging for its laminating pouches to new orange and white colored boxes (most of the larger sizes of GBC laminating pouches used to be packaged in brown cardboard boxes). 5. GBC has also changed all of the part numbers for its laminating pouches. If you are looking for a particular part number look for a future article with a conversion chart. However, in the meantime please give us a call and we will be glad to point you to the replacement for the old GBC number.

Strip Binding is a professional, attractive and secure means of assembling loose, written communications into professionally-bound documents. Strip binding can be accomplished via two methods; namely, SureBind and VeloBind. The end resulting product looks identical; however, there are subtle differences in the mechanical parts of the elements. Velobind is the forerunner of strip binding, having been developed in 1960. After GBC acquired Velobind, they incorporated the strip binding method into the GBC line, creating numerous other benefits of the product. VeloBind dies can still be purchased for the System Three Pro, MagnaPunch and AP-2. However, SureBind is the lead strip binding product offered by GBC / Ibico. SureBind is strip binding with the additional benefit of working in conjunction with GBC Plastic Binding elements, which are on 9/16" centers. The major benefit is that someone already using a GBC Plastic Binding system can take a punched document and bind it with SureBind for a different look or for use with GBC's boardroom-quality hard cases. In addition, using the strip binding method while punching with GBC Plastic binding increases the Plastic Comb binding punching productivity by 30 to 50%. The main differences between SureBind and Velobind strips are: -SureBind combs have 10 pins, while Velobind combs have 11 pins with corresponding holes in the receiver strips. -SureBind pins are slightly offset to fit snugly into the holes of a plastic binding-punched documents. This maintains the integrity of the bind, preventing shifting around inside the larger binding holes. Velobind pins are spaced evenly along the strip. -SureBind combs and strips are slightly wider than Velobind so that the GBC rectangular holes are completely covered. Strip binding uses tamper resistant plastic strips to lock proposals, briefs, litigation, materials, forecasts, etc. (any loose papers up to 3" thick - that's 750 sheets of 20lb bond paper!) into place. This system offers the ultimate in security for a customer's bound documents. No unauthorized additions or deletions can be made. This unique hot knife process securely binds documents by heat riveting two plastic strips together. This permanent bind is more secure than comb binding, wire binding, coil binding or any other binding style on the market. SureBind and Velobind strips offer the maximum in versatility, with minimum inventory requirements (only three different-sized strips bind documents from 2 pages to 750 pages). The finished document is easy to mail, file and store because of the compact nature of the strip. A strip bound document can be finished in either soft, flush cut covers or boardroom-quality hard covers.

At the end of 2006, GBC made the decision to replace its line of Hi Tac Lay Flat laminating films with its new Digital Lay Flat Laminating films. These new digital lay flat laminating films are specifically designed for single sided lamination of digital prints for book covers and jackets. This film is designed to combat two problems commonly associated with this type of application making it a unique product in the laminating industry. The first problem that this specialty laminating film is designed to combat is the curl that comes with single sided lamination. One of the biggest problems that comes with single sided lamination is product curl. This is a tremendous problem when laminating covers for soft cover books. Soft cover books have no real support for the covers making any curl in the covers very obvious, thus eliminating curl is something very important for this application. GBC’s new Digital Lay Flat laminating film is a Nylon laminating film which is designed to minimized curl in single sided applications. However, it is important to note that curl can still sometimes be a problem (even with a nylon film) if you are not using a laminator specifically designed for single sided lamination. Single sided roll laminators which start at about $20,000 have special features such as a breaker bar that work together with the properties of the nylon film to completely eliminate curl. Still, this film can be run on a normal laminator with decent results. The second problem addressed by GBC’s new Digital Lay flat laminating film involves the lamination of Digital Output. Most standard laminating films have a great deal of difficulty laminating digital output for flush cut trimming. The high fuser oil content of most digital output makes it impossible for most laminating films to adhere to the surface of the print. When these prints are flush cut the laminating film will often simply peel off the surface of the print. However, GBC Digital Lay Flat film includes a Hi Tac adhesive that is specifically designed for laminating digital output. The adhesive in this film is able to bond with your prints and is designed not to peel or separate when flush cut. Addressing these two problems, GBC’s Digital Lay Flat Laminating Film is a 1.5mil laminating film. GBC Digital Lay Flat film is available on your choice of a 2.25” core or a 3” core and in your choice of clear or matte finishes. Laminating Rolls are available in sizes from 10.75” up to 19.5” in width.

Does your organization do a lot of two hole and three hole punching? Over the years, I have talked to a few customers who do massive amounts of this type of punching. One hospital that I spoke to would punch more than ten thousand sheets of paper every day. They were punching all of the paper work and doctors orders for charts and files. Obviously, they didn't want to use a small desktop hole punch for their documents. However, finding a punch to handle that type of volume isn't easy. Most two hole and three hole punches available on the market are designed for occasional light usage. They are ideal for an office that needs to punch a few items to put into a ring binder. However, these punches are not able to handle the volume of punching required for certain applications. For organizations that need to do lots of this type of punching, a modular binding punch is ideal. Here are four reasons why... 1. A modular interchangeable die binding punch can be used for punching multiple different hole patterns. You can use the punch for 3-hole punching, 2-hole punching and for punching different binding patterns. For larger organizations, this is ideal since it provides a single easy to use solution for all your punching needs. 2. No punch available on the market will be faster than a heavy duty modular binding punch. Some modular punches are rated to punch more than 50 sheets per lift. Considering that each lift can take just seconds to punch, a modular punch can handle huge volumes of paper in a very short period of time. Larger modular binding punches can punch a stack of paper in less than one second. Many electric desktop hole punches can take ten seconds or more to punch your documents. 3. Users who plan on punching large volumes of paper will eventually wear out the dies on their punch. This is true for any type of punch. However, with a modular binding punch it is simple and quick to replace the punching dies. Plus, the dies used in a modular binding punch will last longer than most standard dies. This helps to reduce down time and increases productivity. 4. Most modular binding punches include a foot pedal that makes punching easier than ever. There is not button to push, no handle to pull and certainly no lever to push. You can firmly hold the pages with both hands while you punch the document. This makes it easier than ever to punch the pages and reduces the chances for repetitive motion injuries. Most organizations have not considered using a binding punch for their three-hole and two-hole punching needs. However, this is on the best options available for large volume users. Look into it for yourself and discover what a modular binding punch can do for you.

Proclick binding is one of the neatest new styles of binding to be introduced in decades. Its reclosable design and stylish look have made it an instant hit with many sales organizations around the world. However, binding documents with Proclick can be a little bit tricky. This article will provide five simple tips for binding documents, reports, presentations and proposals with GBC Proclick. 1. The zipper tool that comes in the box with your supplies is actually more difficult to use than it looks. In fact, sometimes it is easier to simply snap the rings closed by hand. If you do decide to use the zipper tool it will work a lot better if you snap the first few rings close and crease the spine slightly before trying to zip the rest of the rings shut. Practice with the zipper tool and you will get better and better. Even if you decide not to use the tool for closing the spines don't get rid of it, it will come in handy for opening and editing documents. 2. If you don't already have a machine to punch the holes for your documents, don't buy a low end Proclick binding machine. For the same amount of money, you can usually buy a 3:1 pitch wire machine that will not only be built better but will also have the ability to bind documents with twin loop wire. Proclick uses the same hole pattern as 3:1 pitch wire. This means that you can get a more versatile system for the same money. 3. Proclick spines are only available in three sizes (small, medium and large). If you are going to need to bind documents that are thicker than 5/8" then you will need to choose an alternative binding style. The best option is probably 3:1 pitch color coil to bind larger documents since it uses the same hole pattern. 4. If you are out in the field and you need to open or edit a document that is bound with Proclick you can use your zipper tool. If you don't have the zipper tool, you can simply use a pen to open up the spine. If you think you might need to punch documents in the field you can consider carrying a P50 punch in your car or briefcase. It is small enough that you carry it with you and then you can truly edit any proposal on the fly. 5. If you bind a lot of presentations with Proclick, you should really consider a Pronto. No binding system is faster than the Pronto. Inserting and closing the spines is the hardest part about binding documents with Proclick and that is automated with the Pronto system. Just remember that if you want to use the automated system you can't use oversized covers or bind non standard sized documents. These are five simple tips for binding documents with GBC Proclick. Remember these things and binding will be easier than ever. Try it for yourself and see.

Of all the different document finishing styles available to organizations, twin loop wire is quite possibly the most elegant and professional. For this reason, it is the style of choice for many architects, real estate agents, accountants and financial service companies. However, many users do not understand some of the intricacies of wire binding. This article will provide you with five tips for binding your documents with wire-o. 1. Wire binding spines are available in two different pitches. They are designed for either a 3:1 (3 holes per inch) or 2:1 (2 holes per inch) pattern. Three to one spines are designed for binding small sized documents that are between 3/16" and 9/16" thick. Two to one spines are designed for binding larger books that are between 5/8" and 1-1/2" thick. When choosing a wirebind machine it is important to make sure that you pick a unit that will meet your needs. If you already have a 3:1 pitch machine the only option that you will have for binding larger documents is to use 3:1 pitch spiral coil. However, if you have 2:1 pitch machine you can order special 2:1 pitch small sized spines that will allow you to bind documents as small as 1/4". Just make sure that your closer is capable of being adjusted for smaller sized spines. 2. Choosing the right size of spine for your documents is important. If you choose a spine that is too small, your pages won't fit or they won't turn freely. If you choose an element that is too large the pages will be loose in the spine and they won't look as good. To choose the right size of wire for your document you should take the size of your document and add 1/8" to allow the pages to move freely. 3. One of the most difficult parts of binding documents using WireO is hanging the pages onto the elements. However, almost every machine comes with a hanger. In some cases the hanger will have a bunch of hooks on the front of the machine. In other cases, there will be a small metal plate on the machine that will flip up allowing you to clamp the c shaped spine in place while you add the pages to the spine. Using the wire holder on your binding machine will help to save you tons of time in the binding process. 4. As mentioned above, the pitch of your machine will partially determine the sizes of documents that you are able to bind. However, even if your binding machine has the correct pitch it is still possible that it will not handle 3/16" and 1-1/2" wire. These are specialty sizes and may not work in all equipment. Check your machine specifications before ordering either of these two sizes of supplies. 5. If you have a 3:1 pitch binding machine you will also have a few other binding options that will be available to you. Proclick binding spines are designed to work with a 3:1 pitch hole pattern. Proclick is easy to open and edit and might be ideal for certain sales reports or presentations that your company does. Additionally, you can use your three to one pitch machine along with 3:1 spiral coil for a completely different look and feel. Hopefully these five hints will help you when binding documents with twin loop wire. Give it a try for yourself and see just how easy it can be.

Plastic comb binding is one of the most popular binding styles used by companies around the world. The low supply cost, ease of use, professional look, and versatility make it an ideal choice for all types of companies. Producing documents using comb binding is actually very simple. However, this article will provide you with five tips for making it even easier.