While many schools, offices, and even homes have found a need to create bound documents, not everyone has the budget or the space for a full-function binding machine. For those that want to be able to occasionally bind their own documents, the GBC VeloBind V50 is an affordable, entry-level binding machine that is small enough to fit on a desktop while still being powerful enough to punch up to 20 sheets per lift. Below is an overview of binding documents with the GBC VeloBind V50:
- Begin by aligning the pages of your document by tapping them repeatedly against your work surface.
- Insert up to 20 sheets into the punching throat. If your document is longer than 20 pages, you will have to insert the sheets in sets. Note: The maximum punching capacity of the V50 is 20 sheets (based on regular 20 lb. paper; if you are using cover stock or thicker paper, your punching capacity will be reduced).
- Depress the punching lever with both hands to punch your document with the 4-pin VeloBind pattern.
- Remove the sheets from the punching throat, and repeat the process as necessary until your entire document has been punched.
- Place the document onto your work table so that it is facing up and the holes hang over the table’s edge.
- Insert the pins on the VeloBind spine downward through the punched holes.
- Carefully turn the document over and lay it flat on the table, ensuring that the spine stays in place.
- Place the slotted strip over the four pins, with the slots facing up.
- Secure the strip by holding it in the center and snap the pins into place, using your thumb and forefinger. Once all four pins have been snapped into place, the bind is complete.
Because the VeloBind 4-pin strips that are used with the GBC VeloBind V50 are recloseable, documents bound with them can easily be debound and edited. Below is an overview of how to debind reclosable 4-pin VeloBind strips:
Note: GBC manufactures a tool that is specifically designed to debind 4-pin VeloBind strips. The instructions below illustrate debinding techniques that do not require the use of a debinding tool. If you plan on doing a high volume of debinding, then you will find that a debinding tool is much more efficient.
- Use the tip of a pen to slide over the point of the pin and use leverage to pry the pin out of position.
- Continue pulling the pin up until it is returned to its upright position.
- Repeat with each of the remaining pins and remove the slotted strip.
- Punch all replacement sheets and insert them into your document as desired (or simply remove any unwanted pages).
- Follow the steps listed above for inserting the spine into your document and snapping the pins closed.