Four Earth-Friendly Binding Solutions

A growing number of businesses are looking for ways to be more ecologically aware, which includes seeking out more “green” binding supplies and methods. Below is a list of four Earth-friendly binding solutions for organizations of any size:

  1. Paper Binding Covers – Available in a wide variety of vibrant colors and attractive finishes, paper binding covers are an Earth-friendly alternative to traditional poly binding covers. They’re made using up to 20% recycled materials and up to 30% post-consumer waste, plus they are completely recyclable.
  2. Aluminum Screw Posts – Aluminum screw posts (also called Chicago screws or binding posts) are a reusable binding solution that allows you to easily make revisions to any swatch book or other document. They are made from 100% aluminum, so they can be recycled, but their reusable nature gives them a long functional lifespan.
  3. PaperLock PaperCombs – The PaperLock binding system is designed to work in conjunction with your traditional comb binding machine, and provides an eco-friendly alternative to plastic binding combs. PaperLock PaperCombs are made of paper, so they can be recycled with ease.
  4. Fastback Binding Strips – Fastback binding strips by Powis Parker are innovative thermal binding spines that offer a number of “green” features. The strips are paper-based and contain up to 50% recycled material, including up to 25% post-consumer waste. Their adhesive compounds are specially designed to be environmentally neutral, meaning that they won’t pollute landfills or water tables.

What are Screw Posts?

A screw post (also called a binding post or a Chicago screw) is made up of two separate pieces – a threaded post attached to a head and a cylinder attached to a matching head. To create a bound item, a hole is first punched through the documents to be bound. The cylinder is inserted into the hole, and then the threaded post is inserted into the cylinder and tightened. Because the heads are of a larger diameter than the hole, the documents remain securely bound between them. To make changes within the bound document, simply unscrew the threaded post from the cylinder, insert your revised documents, and reassemble the screw post.

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.

Five Ways to Use Screw Posts

Screw posts (also called Chicago screws or binding posts) are an inexpensive, easy-to-use binding method that will allow you to bind a wide variety of materials with no additional tools needed.  Here are five ways that you can use screw posts to help grow your business:

  1. Create a Swatch Book – Whether you’re in the quick-printing industry or you work primarily with fabric, creating a swatch book using Chicago Screws will help you display the options that your business offers to your customers with ease. Since screw posts are a non-permanent binding solution, you can make on-the-spot revisions to ensure that your swatch book is always current.
  2. Make a Photo Collection – Many companies, especially within the interior design or landscaping sectors, have photographs showcasing their best work. Bind them together with a screw post, and keep a few sets in your office and your briefcase so that you can share examples of your organizations talents with prospective clients.
  3. Organize Odd-Sized Documents – If you work with blueprints or architectural diagrams, then you’ve probably had a difficult time finding a binding method that will accommodate your documents. Binding posts are a great way to bind documents of any size or to bind multiple document sizes together, since they don’t have the size limitations of traditional binding methods.
  4. Enhance Your Menu – Many restaurants use screw posts to secure their menus, specials, or wine lists within customized screw post binders. This elegant presentation protects and preserves your menus, and it also lends an extra level of sophistication to your offerings.
  5. Keep Client Info Organized – Keeping all of your contacts organized can be difficult, especially if you travel frequently or work in-the-field. Use a screw post to store the business cards of your top contacts in a convenient set, and keep it in your briefcase so that the information you need is always handy.