How Do I Use Coil Crimpers?

When binding with spiral coils, the ends need to be crimped in order to secure the document and prevent the coil from twisting out of the holes. The most common way to cut and crimp the ends of plastic binding coils is by using a pair of specially designed hand-held pliers. Coil crimping and cutting pliers perform two distinct actions – they cut the coil so that it fits the document that is being bound and they crimp the end of the coil so that it stays in place.

To use the coil crimping pliers, hold them so that the red dot on the top of the pliers faces away from your palm. Hold the bound document so that the coil that needs to be crimped is at the top. Insert the pliers so that the lower jaw is below the coil rung that you want to crimp and the top jaw is positioned above it. Squeeze the handles to cut the coil and continue to apply pressure until the pliers are completely closed in order to crimp it. Repeat the process on the other end of the coil to finish the bind.

What is a Modular Binding Machine?

A modular binding machine is a specialized type of binding system that allows the user to easily change between different punch patterns within a single machine. Instead of having a built-in punch, modular binding machines have self-contained punching dies that are inserted into the machine. The punching dies are available in a wide array of punch patterns, including common patterns such as 4:1 coil, 19-hole comb, 2:1 wire, 3:1 wire, and 3-hole, as well as specialty patterns like 5mm coil, 6mm coil, 11-hole VeloBind, wire with half-moon notch (for calendar-making), and round-hole wire. Because they are capable of punching all of the most common binding hole patterns, modular binding machines are an excellent choice for quick-print shops and offices that perform a variety of binding styles.

The only limitation of these machines is that they generally only have punching capabilities and do not offer any inserting features. There are many cost-effective add-on modules – such as wire closers, comb openers, and coil inserters – that can be used in conjunction with your modular binding system to provide a complete binding solution. If you have a need to bind in multiple different styles but don’t want to purchase separate machines for each method, then a modular binding machine is definitely worth the investment.

What are the Most Popular Varieties of Clear Binding Covers?

Clear binding covers are traditionally used as front covers for business reports, proposals, and employee manuals, both because of their classic look and because they allow the contents of the first page to be read without the book being opened. They also make a great, low-cost substitute for custom-printed covers, since they enable any standard-sized sheet of paper to function as a cover page.

There are five standard varieties of clear binding covers: PVC covers, non-glare covers, heat-resistant covers, matte-suede translucent covers, and matte-gloss translucent covers. PVC binding covers are traditionally the most popular clear cover style, with the widest range of sizes and thicknesses available. Non-glare binding covers are a newer addition to the marketplace, but they are quickly gaining popularity because of their glare-free finish. Heat-resistant covers are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of thermal binding (or for use in other high-temperature environments). Matte-suede binding covers are tear- and scratch-resistant, with a smooth, matte finish on one side and a pebbled texture with a frosted finish on the other side. Matte-gloss binding covers feature a glossy finish on one side and a satin-like, anti-reflective finish on the other to help reduce glare.

Five Creative Gifts Made with Your Binding Machine

The holidays are just around the corner, and there’s no better way to show loved ones that you care than a handmade gift created just for them. Even if you don’t see yourself as the creative type, there are many unique gifts that can be made using your binding machine and a little imagination. Below are five ideas for one-of-a-kind gifts that are made with a binding machine:

  1. Custom Calendars – Did you know that your wire binding machine can be used to make your own custom calendars? Simply select 12 of your favorite photographs (such as pictures of your family, scenic images from recent vacations, or other photos that have personal significance) and use any free calendar software to assemble your calendar pages. Print them out in color onto cardstock and use a half moon punch to create a notch in the center of your calendar pages. Bind the calendar using your wire binding machine and a 5/16″ twin-loop wire, inserting a wire calendar hanger into the spine before you close it (this will allow the calendar to be hung on a wall). Creating your own personalized calendars is just that easy, and you don’t have to deal with the high minimum orders and substantial cost of going through a professional print shop.
  2. Photo Albums – Bound photo albums featuring your children throughout the years make an excellent gift for proud grandparents (or aunts, uncles, great-grandparents, etc.). Choose your favorite photographs, and lay them out onto letter-sized sheets (this can be done with the actual photos and sheets of paper or using your preferred photo editing software). Create color copies or print outs and bind them together. If you’re experienced with digital photo editing, you can also add borders, effects, or even text to your album pages to make them pop.
  3. Year in Review – If you have family members that live out of state, then creating a “Year in Review” book with your binding machine will bring them up to speed on all of the exciting things that your family has done over the past year. This is a great way to share photos from sporting events, newspaper clippings, stellar report cards, art projects, school pictures, and copies of other assorted mementos like ticket stubs.
  4. Family Tree – Spend a little time researching your family’s history and put together a book that details your genealogy. Once you’ve created your family tree, create additional pages that share the information that you’ve discovered about each family member, including photographs, birth dates, and other interesting facts. Compiling a detailed family history will take some time, but you’ll create a gift that will be cherished for years to come.
  5. Cookbooks – From Nana’s famous banana bread to Uncle Scott’s spectacular barbeque sauce, every family has their signature recipes. Compile a cookbook that includes everyone’s best recipes, and send copies to all of your family members. For an extra special touch, you can include photographs or stories from each family that relate to each recipe.

What are the Punch Patterns of the Most Common Binding Styles?

Each binding style has its own distinct hole pattern, which only works with the spines that correspond to that specific binding method. In this post, we’ll take a closer at each of the punch patterns to help you distinguish between each of the styles.


There are two separate punch patterns used for wire binding, 2:1 (two holes per inch) and 3:1 (three holes per inch). The 2:1 pattern uses slightly elongated, rectangular holes, and has a total of 21 holes per 11″ sheet. The 3:1 wire binding pattern uses square holes, and has a total of 32 holes per 11″ sheet. Unless your wire binding machine is dual-function or modular (which would allow you to change out your punching dies), it will only punch one of the two pitches. Being aware of which punch pattern your wire binder is capable of producing will ensure that you purchase the twin-loop binding wires that match.

Coil binding ultilizes only one punch pattern – a 4:1 (four holes per inch) pattern made up of 4mm circular holes. Standard plastic binding coils are available in 12″ lengths with a total of 48 loops, which allows you to create crimped ends when binding your 11″ document. Some coil binding machines also offer oval holes instead of circular holes, which makes the pages of the document turn more easily with less resistance from the coil itself. (Note: The 4:1 pitch pattern is the most common coil binding pattern in the United States and Europe, but other some other countries, including Canada, use a 5:1 pitch when binding with coils).

The comb binding pattern is made up of 19 rectangular holes per 11″ sheet. These rectangles correspond to the 19 prongs present on comb binding spines. Each rectangle measures 8mm x 3mm, which provides extra room to turn the pages when the binding comb is inserted.

VeloBind (also called hot knife binding or strip binding) has an 11-hole punch pattern that consists of 1/8″ circular holes, and is designed to work with 11-pin VeloBind strips.  There are also four- and six-pin styles, but those are far less common than the traditional 11-hole pattern. The four-pin VeloBind spines can be used in conjunction with the 11-hole punch pattern or the actual four-pin pattern, but the six-hole hot knife strip only works with a specific binding machine model from GBC (which has been discontinued).

A Quick Tip for Punch Maintenance

Does your binding machine not punch as smoothly as it used to? Then try this quick tip for maintaining the metal punching die on your binding machine:

  1. Lightly spray a sheet of paper with WD-40, concentrating on the long edge of the paper.
  2. Carefully insert the sheet into the punch.
  3. Punch the sheet a few times, moving it slightly between each punch.

This technique applies a light coat of lubricant onto each die, without leaving excess residue behind.

Four Ways to Bind Without Using a Machine

Almost every business will need to bind documents at some point, but some will not need to bind often enough to warrant the purchase of a machine. Below are four methods of binding that don’t require the use of a binding machine:

  1. Spiral Coils & Pre-Punched Paper – Most binding methods utilize two separate processes – punching and inserting. When you use pre-punched binding paper, you eliminate the punching portion of the process. And unlike binding with plastic combs and twin-loop wires, spiral coils can be inserted by hand (though manual insertion is considerably more time-consuming than using a machine). A pair of inexpensive coil crimpers are then used to cut off the excess coil and crimp the ends to prevent the document from uncoiling.
  2. Screw Posts – Screw posts are an excellent solution for binding projects of all types, ranging from manuscripts and proposals to pricelists and catalogs. To bind with a screw post, use a standard hole punch to create a single hole or multiple holes in the desired location(s) on your document, insert the post into the hole, and twist the screw until tight.
  3. Looseleaf Rings – Like screw posts, looseleaf rings only require the use of a standard hole punch. Simply punch a hole in the upper corner of your document, open the loosleaf ring, insert it into the hole in your document, and squeeze it to close.
  4. Slide Bar Report Covers – Report covers with slide bars are easy to find at most office supply stores, and are even easier to use. A slide bar report cover is made up of two pieces – a one-piece cover with a crease along the spine and a plastic bar with a thin opening. To use this style of binding cover, place your document within the cover and slide the bar onto the spine to secure the sheets within the cover.