How Do I Bind with the GBC VeloBind V50 Binding Machine?

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:

  1. Begin by aligning the pages of your document by tapping them repeatedly against your work surface.
  2. 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).
  3. Depress the punching lever with both hands to punch your document with the 4-pin VeloBind pattern.
  4. Remove the sheets from the punching throat, and repeat the process as necessary until your entire document has been punched.
  5. Place the document onto your work table so that it is facing up and the holes hang over the table’s edge.
  6. Insert the pins on the VeloBind spine downward through the punched holes.
  7. Carefully turn the document over and lay it flat on the table, ensuring that the spine stays in place.
  8. Place the slotted strip over the four pins, with the slots facing up.
  9. 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.

  1. Use the tip of a pen to slide over the point of the pin and use leverage to pry the pin out of position.
  2. Continue pulling the pin up until it is returned to its upright position.
  3. Repeat with each of the remaining pins and remove the slotted strip.
  4. Punch all replacement sheets and insert them into your document as desired (or simply remove any unwanted pages).
  5. Follow the steps listed above for inserting the spine into your document and snapping the pins closed.

How Do I Bind with the GBC BindMate Binding Machine?

Comb binding is an economical, revision-friendly binding style that allows users to easily edit documents after binding. The GBC BindMate binding machine enables users to bind documents up to 5/8″ using standard 19-ring plastic combs, and has the added benefit of functioning as a three-hole punch as well. Below are the step-by-step instructions for binding with the GBC BindMate:

  1. Begin by selecting the desired punch pattern for your document using the small, sliding knob located on the top left of the machine. Sliding the knob to the left will create a 3-hole punch pattern and sliding it to the right will create the standard 19-hole comb binding pattern. Note: The handle must be in the fully upright position in order to change between hole patterns.
  2. Set the alignment guide based on your document. The Standard setting is used for 11″ paper and covers, and the Oversized option is used for oversized covers (such as rounded corner covers with have an 11-1/4″ length).
  3. Fully insert the paper into the punching slot and align the sheets so that they are flush against the alignment guide on the left side of the machine. Note: The GBC BindMate is capable of punching up to 8 sheets per lift (based on regular 20lb. paper) or a single PVC plastic cover up to 7 mil thick.
  4. Pull the punching handle down until the sheets have been punched, and then return it to its upright position. Note: If your document is longer than 8 pages, you will need to break it up into sets and repeat the punching process until all sets are punched.
  5. Determine the appropriate plastic binding comb size based on the page count and/or thickness of your document (most manufacturers include this information alongside the size of the comb itself). Place the comb onto the comb opener so that the small “fingers” of the comb face the front of the machine. Note: The GBC BindMate has a maximum binding capacity of 5/8″, or 125 sheets or regular 20 lb. paper.
  6. Gently pull the punch handle down to open the comb. Once the comb has been fully opened, use the comb opening lock located immediately behind the handle on the right side of the machine to hold the comb in the open position.
  7. Insert your punched document onto the open prongs of the comb, so that the front cover faces down.
  8. Once all pages have been inserted onto the comb, release the comb opening lock and return the handle to the upright position to close the comb.
  9. Remove the completed book from the machine, and empty the waste tray as needed.

How Do I Bind with the GBC SureBind System 3 Binding Machine?

While most binding machines are capable of binding documents that are larger than 1″ thick, very few machines are able to handle ultra-thick 3″ documents. The GBC SureBind System 3 binding machine can not only bind 3″ documents, but makes binding them surprisingly easy, thanks to automatic electric punching and binding features. Below is an overview of the binding process with the GBC SureBind System 3:

  1. Begin by pushing the “On” button to power up the machine.
  2. Loosen the Punch Edge Guide Knob and adjust the guide so that the line on the decal corresponds to the line on the Punch Platen that matches your document size. Positioning the Punch Edge Guide ensures that your document will be properly punched and will not extend beyond the binding strip on either end.
  3. Select the desired punch mode. To select the “Automatic Punch Mode,” simply press the Auto Punch Button. If you will be using the “Manual Punch Mode,” do not press the Manual Punch Button until after the paper has been inserted (in the next step).
  4. Insert your document into the Punch throat. If you are using the “Automatic Punch Mode,” insert the pages just to the right of the Punch Edge Guide. If you are using the “Manual Punch Mode,” insert the document so that the pages are flush against the Punch Edge Guide. Note: The GBC SureBind System 3 has a 22-sheet maximum punch capacity (based on regular 20 lb. paper), so documents that have more than 22 pages will have to be punched in sets.
  5. Next, punch the sheets. If you are in the “Automatic Punch Mode,” sliding your document to the left (so that it is aligned with the Punch Edge Guide) will activate the punching cycle. To punch manually, simply press the Manual Punch Button. Note: It is recommended that you punch a test sheet before attempting to punch your document. Fold the punched test sheet in half and check that they are aligned along the edge of the sheet and with each other.
  6. Repeat the punching steps as necessary until all pages of your document have been punched.
  7. Press the Bind Button to place the machine into the standard binding mode (designed for documents larger than 1″ or for small reports that will need added binding strength) or press the Fast Bind Button to place the machine into the fast binding mode (designed for documents 1″ or smaller).
  8. Insert the bottom strip (the strip that has holes) into the Strip Recess so that the textured side is facing down and the small hole in the strip is aligned with the Locating Pin. When the strip is positioned properly, the hole closest to the left end of the strip will be aligned with the vertical line on the Backstop.
  9. Place the punched document onto the Bind Platen so that the document is face up (with the first sheet on the top) with the left edge aligned to the Bind Edge Guide. The punched edge should be flush against the Backstop. Note: The Bind Edge Guide is properly adjusted when the punched holes of the document are aligned with the strip holes and the left edge of the document is flush with the Bind Edge Guide.
  10. Insert the top strip (which has the pins) through the holes in the document and the bottom strip. Press the top strip down firmly until it rests against the top sheet of the document. Note: The SureBind System 3 is only compatible with 10-pin binding strips.
  11. Lower the Pressure Bar so that it is pressed against the top binding strip and the document stack.
  12. The binding cycle will begin automatically. The binding process takes approximately 16 seconds in standard mode and 10 seconds in fast mode. Once binding has been completed, the Pressure Bar will raise automatically.
  13. Your bound document can now be removed from the machine.

How Do I Debind a Document with the GBC SureBind System 3 Binding Machine?

One of the greatest benefits of binding with VeloBind thermal binding strips is that the resulting books are tamper-resistant and secure. A number of manual tools are available on the market to help enable people to debind and revised their Velo-bound documents, but most are difficult and time-consuming to use. The GBC SureBind System 3 binding machine features an automated debinding process that makes it easy to remove the spine from bound documents so that they can be edited. Below is an overview of how to debind a document using the GBC SureBind System 3:

  1. Begin by placing your bound document into the GBC SureBind System 3 binding machine so that the bound side is against the Backstop and the edge is flush against the Bind Edge Guide. Ensure that the small hole in the bottom strip is aligned with the Locating Pin located in the Strip Recess. Note: The Locating Pin is used to center the strip during the debinding process. The hole on the bottom strip must be aligned with the Locating Pin for proper machine operation.
  2. Once the document has been properly situated in the machine, press the Debind Button to put the machine into debind mode.
  3. Lower the Pressure Bar onto the document so that it is aligned with the binding spine and is applying pressure onto the document. The machine will automatically begin the debinding process once the Pressure Bar has been lowered.
  4. Immediately after the Pressure Bar raised, remove the document from the machine and peel the top strip off (starting at one end and pulling the strip up and toward the other end). The debinding process takes approximately 25 seconds. Note: Be sure to immediately remove the document once debinding has been completed. Allowing the document to sit for too long will make the spine difficult to remove.
  5. Press either the Standard Bind Button or the Fast Bind Button to return the machine to binding mode.

Your document can now be revised as desired and bound with a new binding strip. This technique is an excellent way to bind documents that will grow over time – such as financial reports or legal documents – because they will remain secure until you choose to debind them. Furthermore, the GBC SureBind System 3 is one of only a handful of machines that is capable of binding documents as large as 3″ thick, and it does so in as little as 16 seconds.

How Do I Bind with the Fellowes TB250 Thermal Binding Machine?

Thermal binding uses adhesive-lined binding covers to create sleek and professional-looking bound documents with no punching required. The Fellowes TB250 thermal binding machine is an easy-to-use thermal binder that is capable of binding single documents up to 1″ thick (or multiple documents totaling up to 300 pages) in only 30 seconds with one simple push of a button. Below is an overview of how to bind documents with the Fellowes TB250:

  1. Begin by setting up your thermal binding machine. If this is the first time you are using the TB250, you will have to install the wire support rack on the back of the machine. To attach the support rack, push the ends of the rack as far as they will go into the holes on the back of the machine. Plug the machine into an outlet and press the power switch to start pre-heating the machine. Note: The green ready light will turn on when the machine has reached the proper operating temperature. The warm-up time on this machine is approximately three minutes.
  2. Use the built-in spine size selector to determine the correct spine size for your thermal binding cover.
  3. Align the pages of your document by either jogging them with a paper jogger or tapping them against a flat surface. Place the pages into the thermal cover.
  4. To bind your document, insert it between the two clamps in the binding channel. The in-process light will turn on automatically while the document is being bound. Note: The Fellowes TB250 thermal binding machine has a maximum capacity of 300 pages per bind, however it can bind multiple documents in a single cycle as long as the total page count for all books does not exceed the 300-sheet maximum.
  5. When the binding process is complete (approximately 30 seconds), the machine will beep and the in-process light will turn off. To remove your document, lift it straight out of the binding channel. Note: Be sure to remove the document promptly at the end of the binding process to avoid damage to the binding spine and/or documents. If your spine is damaged during binding due to overexposure, your documents cannot be salvaged.
  6. Gently tap the document against your working surface, with the spine-side down. This helps to ensure proper adhesion between the sheets and the spine.
  7. Place your document into the adjustable cooling rack, with the spine-side down. Allow the document to cool for 2-3 minutes (or until the spines have reached room temperature). Your documents are now bound and ready to share with colleagues and friends. Note: Removing your document from the cooling rack prematurely can result in loose or unglued sheets. If this occurs, simply repeat the binding cycle from the beginning to re-glue the sheets.

How Do I Bind with the GBC P75 ProClick Spine Closer and Finisher?

The GBC P75 ProClick spine closing and finishing machine works exclusively with GBC ProClick binding spines to create attractive and secure bound documents. Using either pre-punched paper or pages punched with a ProClick punch machine, the GBC P75 quickly and easily inserts and closes ProClick spines with minimal effort from the user. Below is an overview of how to use the GBC P75:

GBC P75 ProClick Closer
  1. Begin by printing your document onto paper that has been pre-punched in the 32-hole ProClick pattern, or by punching your document using your ProClick punch machine. If you choose to use pre-punched paper, consult the your printer’s manual to determine the correct settings before attempting to print your document. It is highly recommended that you print a test page to ensure the correct orientation before attempting to run any full documents.
  2. Place the front binding cover on top of your document, and then place the back cover on top of the front cover so that the inside of the back cover is facing up. Arranging your covers in this order ensures that the backbone of the ProClick spine will be hidden within your document, which results in a more professional finished book.
  3. Open the lid of the ProClick P75 unit so that it is fully open.
  4. Place the entire document into the unit so that it lays flat with all of the holes aligned at the bottom of the tray.
  5. Use the document thickness guide that is located on the sides of the machine in order to determine the correct ProClick spine size. Each step on the guide indicates the maximum thickness a document can be for each ProClick size. Note: If your document is close to the maximum allowable thickness, try using the next size up for easier page turning.
  6. Adjust the machine based on the correct ProClick spine size by sliding the switches located on both sides of the machine either up or down (depending on the spine size). Note: Be sure to set the machine to the correct spine size to avoid improper spine closure.
  7. Ensure that you have the correct spine size by using the ProClick size guide on the front of the machine. Place the spine horizontally into the binding channel at the front of the machine so that the prongs face away from you. Note: The spine should be completely open. Do not try to close the spine before placing it into the machine.
  8. Use both hands to rotate the closing dials located on the front of the machine. Keep turning the dials until the color in the correct ProClick size window changes to red.
  9. After the spine has been closed, lift the document off of the machine.
  10. Return the closing dials to their original positions.

Nylon Xtreme Bond Laminating Film: Aggressive Adhesion for Digital Prints

As we’ve covered in previous posts, single-sided laminating is a great way to protect book covers, posters, maps, and other projects that need to be preserved on the front side while remaining untreated on the back side. Nylon laminating film is specifically designed to work in conjunction with your single-sided laminator to reduce curling for superior results. Traditionally, nylon laminating film has been offered with standard adhesion strength, but some projects require a more aggressive adhesive. That’s where nylon Xtreme Bond laminating film comes in. This ultra-sticky film provides the same curl-resistant properties as standard nylon film, but with a specialized adhesive formulation that adheres to difficult-to-stick-to prints. In this post, we take a closer look at nylon Xtreme Bond laminating film.

The Basics

Nylon Xtreme Bond laminating film is available in widths ranging from 12.5″ to 19.5″ on 3,000′ rolls. The film is a thin and pliable 1.2 mil thickness, which makes it an ideal choice for making paper book covers. Because it is designed to be used with a single-sided laminating machine, it is only available on a 3″ core.Nylon Xtreme Bond film is available in both gloss and matte finishes (matte is available by special order), both of which offer superior abrasion resistance as well as water-, oil-, acid-, and alkali-resistant properties.

Uses

The superior adhesives bond well with digital prints – including digital output from Xerox Docutech and Docucolor machines, Nexpress, and Xeikon Systems – and the film carries an official validation from the Xerox Finishing Lab. It is capable of adhering to fuser oil-based inks, digital toners, and even “wet” inks. Xtreme Bond film can even be die-cut for specialty applications.

In Review

Using nylon laminating film is a must if you want great results on your single-sided laminating projects, but most standard nylon films do not offer the adhesion strength that is required for working with digital prints. If you have a need to perform single-sided lamination on digital prints (or other difficult-to-adhere-to media, such as those printed with oil-based inks), then nylon Xtreme Bond laminating film is an excellent solution. It offers all of the same benefits as traditional nylon film – including curl-resistance, abrasion-resistance, and the ability to be die-cut – but also features a specially-formulated adhesive that tames most toners and inks. In conjunction with your single-sided laminator, nylon Xtreme Bond laminating films will transform your digitally-printed posters, book covers, maps, displays, and other projects into durable documents that will stand up to years of use.

How Do I Bind with the Renz ECO E 2:1 Wire Binding Machine?

The Renz ECO E 2:1 wire binding machine uses a heavy-duty electric punch to make document binding a breeze. It has a robust, 25-page punch capacity, and features a built-in, adjustable wire closer that helps to take the guess-work out of finishing. Below is an overview of how to bind with the Renz ECO E electric wire binder:

  1. Use the measuring scale on the machine to determine the appropriate wire size for your document. Place the back edge of your document against the measuring scale, and use the indicator lines to find the correct wire diameter.
  2. Adjust the diameter selector by first releasing the attachment screw. Then move the knob to the measurement that corresponds to your spine diameter and tighten the attachment screw to complete the adjustment.
  3. Use the depth margin adjustment knob to set the proper distance between the punched holes and the edge of the paper. Thicker documents will require a larger depth margin to make the pages easier to turn. Turn the knob so that the indicator corresponds with the diameter of the binding wire you are using.
  4. Disengage pins as necessary to tailor the punch pattern to your document. The Renz ECO E 2:1 wire binding machine has 26 disengageable pins, so it can be used to bind a wide variety of document sizes, including specialty paper and European sizes. To disengage a punching die, simply pull the corresponding pin straight out until it locks.
  5. Insert the wire binding spine into the wire clamp. Press down on the back edge of the wire clamp to open it, and place the end of the wire under the front edge. Lower the clamp to secure the wire in place vertically. Note: The small loops of the binding wire should be on top, facing the rear of the machine.
  6. Arrange your document so that the back cover is in front, with the front cover immediately behind it. The inside of the back cover should be facing outward, with the faces of the front and back cover together. This will keep the seam of the spine hidden inside of the book, resulting in a more professional finish.
  7. Jog the book using either a paper jogger or by tapping the sheets against a flat surface to align the edges. Set the book onto your work surface so that the covers are at the bottom of the stack.
  8. Adjust the side margin guide based on your document size.
  9. Begin punching your documents in sets of 15-20 pages. The Renz ECO E binding machine has a maximum punch capacity of 25 pages (based on regular 20 lb. paper; thicker papers and cover stock will reduce the capacity), but it is recommended that you punch only 15-20 pages at a time for optimum performance. After inserting your sheets into the punching throat and aligning them with the side margin, press the foot pedal to activate the electric punch.
  10. After the each set has been punched, insert it onto the binding wire that is held in place by the clamp. Repeat as necessary until all pages have been punched and inserted onto the wire.
  11. Press the back of the wire clamp to release the document, and carefully remove the book from the clamp so that the pages do not slide off of the wire.
  12. Place the wire into the wire closer so that the open side of the wire is placed directly against the back of the closer.
  13. Pull the binding lever forward until it stops, and then return it to its original position. Larger wires will require more pressure to close than smaller wires. Note: A properly closed wire will have the two ends of the spine meeting in the middle, with no large gaps or overlap. If there is a gap between the ends of the loops, move the diameter selector slightly to the left and pull the binding lever again. If the wire ends are overlapping, move the diameter selector slightly to the right before binding your next document.
  14. Remove the book from the wire closer, and turn the back cover over to finish the book.

How Do I Bind with the ETitanWire 2:1 Wire Binding Machine?

Wire binding is a great way to create secure and durable bound documents that are both tamper-resistant and professional-looking. The ETitanWire 2:1 wire binding machine features a high-capacity electric punch and built-in, heavy-duty wire closer, making it an excellent solution for your wire binding needs. Below is an overview for binding with the ETitanWire electric wire binder:

  1. Begin by determining the proper wire binding spine size for your document. There are two methods that can be used – you can choose to measure the thickness of your document and add 1/8″ to find the appropriate spine size or to use the ETitanWire’s built-in wire size selector. To use the size selector, simply place your document onto the base of the machine and move the sliding size selector bar down until it rests against the top sheet of the book. The top of the size selector will point to the proper wire size.
  2. Adjust the punch margin based on your document size. As a general rule, the thicker a book is, the larger the punch margin should be.
  3. Set the side guide so that your document will be centered within the punching throat.
  4. Align the edges of your document by either tapping them repeatedly against a flat surface or by placing them in a paper jogger.
  5. Insert your document into the punching throat. The ETitanWire has a 25 sheet maximum punch capacity (based on regular 20 lb. paper; using thicker sheets or cover stock will reduce the capacity), though most users choose to punch between 12 and 20 sheets at a time for optimum performance. Align the sheets so that they are flush against the back wall of the punching throat and the side guide.
  6. Step on the foot pedal to punch the document. Repeat punching in sets until all of the pages have been punched.
  7. Set the wire closer’s measurements based on the size of the binding wire being used. Insert an empty wire into the closer and pull the closer handle. Adjust the wire closer settings and test as necessary until the wire is closed appropriately.
  8. Assemble all of the punched sheets into a complete book, placing the bottom page on the top of the stack. Place the punched edge so that it is facing you and slightly hangs over the edge of your work surface.
  9. Insert the wire into the holes, starting at one side and working toward the other. As you progress, you will find that the prongs will fall naturally into the holes.
  10. Once the wire has been inserted into all of the holes, carefully turn it so that the open ends face you and the solid side is through the holes.
  11. Carefully lift the document off of the working surface, making sure that the wire stays in place. Lower the book straight down into the wire closing mechanism, so that the open ends of the wire are flush against the bottom of the wire closers.
  12. Pull the handle to close the wire and bind the book. Return the handle to its original position.
  13. Remove the book from the wire closer, and turn the back page to the back of the document. This will conceal the seam of the wire spine within the document and will give it a more professional finish.

How Do I Bind with the Akiles OffiWire Wire Binding Machine?

From law offices and financial institutions to home offices and schools, it seems that almost every organization has a need to bind documents these days. Wire binding is one of the most durable and tamper-resistant binding methods available, and the OffiWire wire binding machine from Akiles is a great entry-level machine for low-volume binding projects. Below is an overview of binding a document with the Akiles OffiWire:

Akiles OffiWire Wire Binding Machine
  1. The first step is to adjust the Side Margin Guide to reflect your document size. Note: There are separate margin settings for letter-sized paper and the 11-1/4″ round corner binding covers that are often used with letter-sized documents. Be sure to use the proper setting for both your covers and your inner pages, adjusting the margin mid-run if necessary.
  2. Tap your document repeatedly against your working surface to align all of the edges.
  3. Insert your document into the punching throat, aligning the pages against the side margin as well as the back of the punching channel. The OffiWire has a 10-sheet punch capacity (based on regular 20lb. paper; using thicker paper or cover stock will reduce the punch capacity). Note: Though the OffiWire is capable of punching 10 sheets per lift, limiting your sets to only 8 pages will help reduce operator fatigue during long runs.
  4. Pull the handle forward to punch your sheets, then return it to its upright position. If your document is longer than 10 pages, then you will need to repeat steps 3 and 4, working in 10-page increments until all pages are punched.
  5. Slide the document into the wire selector to determine the correct binding wire size to use.
  6. Insert the selected wire into the wire snatch, sliding it in beginning at the right side of the machine.
  7. With the wire firmly inserted into the wire snatch, insert the inner pages of your document onto the wire. Next, insert the front cover followed by the back cover, with the inside of the back cover facing up.
  8. Once all of the pages have been inserted onto the wire, carefully pull the book out of the wire snatch.
  9. Place the document into the wire closer, with the open side of the spine facing down and resting against the bottom of the closer.
  10. Pull the wire closer handle down to close the wire, applying uniform pressure to help ensure an even closure. Once the wire has been closed, return the handle to its upright position. Note: The seam of the closed wire should be just touching. If the wire is under- or over-closed, slightly adjust the bilateral closer controls before binding your next document.
  11. Take your document our of the wire closer, and turn the back cover to the back of the book to finish the bind.