An Overview of Single-Sided Lamination

Single-sided lamination has a variety of applications, ranging from book covers and posters to photographic prints and maps. While many people think that single-sided lamination can be achieved by simply loading only one roll of film onto a standard, two-sided laminator, the fact is that one-sided lamination is a unique process that requires specially-designed film and equipment. In this post, we take a closer look at single-sided lamination to learn what separates it from double-sided thermal lamination.

The Basics

When you use a laminator for two-sided lamination, each of the sides is applying tension to the laminated document. Since the two sides apply tension in opposing directions, your document will lay flat. Because documents laminated on only one side aren’t able to rely on the opposing tensions in order to keep the document from curling, specialized laminating film must be used in conjunction with a single-sided laminator in order to counteract the curl. Single-sided laminating machines feature decurling bars (also called “anti-curling bars”), which the laminated documents feed through before they exit the machine. These bars help to flatten out any minor curls that occur during lamination, and are found exclusively on single-sided laminating machines.

Nylon “Lay-Flat” Laminating Film

Also called “lay-flat” laminating film, nylon laminating film is specifically designed for single-sided applications. The adhesive used on lay-flat laminating film has a lower melting temperature than the adhesive used on standard laminating film (210-230 degrees F compared to 290 degrees F), which helps to reduce curling. Nylon also shrinks less during cooling than polyester, which is yet another feature designed to reduce curls in your laminated documents. Nylon laminating film is water-, oil-, acid-, and alkali-resistant, can be foil-stamped, printed, or glued, and can even be die cut. It is most commonly sold in a 1.2 mil thickness and on a 3″ core, with widths varying between 12.5″ and 19.5″.

Problems with Using Your Two-Sided Laminator for Single-Sided Lamination

Aside from the curling issues mentioned earlier in this post, there are a number of problems that can occur when a two-sided laminator is used for single-sided lamination. If you load only one roll of film onto your laminator, any excess film that extends past the width of your document will leave adhesive residue behind on the other roller (which can even cause the film to wrap around the roller entirely – a messy and time-consuming clean-up). When you have film loaded onto both sides, the film on the bottom protects the bottom roller from the excess film on the top roller, and vice versa. Furthermore, nylon laminating film is sold on a 3″ core, while most non-commercial laminators use 1″ core film. As a result, most double-sided thermal laminators aren’t capable of using the lay-flat film required for single-sided lamination.

In Review

Single-sided lamination is popular in a number of industries, because it protects one side of a document while leaving the other side bare for additional processes (such as book-binding or mounting). Contrary to popular belief, single-sided lamination is actually a distinct and separate process from two-sided lamination, and requires the use of specialized nylon laminating film and a single-sided laminator. If you have a need to perform single-sided lamination on a regular basis, then investing in the proper equipment and supplies is a must, because using a double-sided laminator will not give you the results that you are looking for (and can ultimately cause damage to your machine).

An Overview of Wire Binding: A Tamper-Resistant & Durable Binding Method

There are many wonderful binding options offered to today’s consumer, ranging from traditional methods that have been around for decades to innovative, new styles that are just emerging. As a result, selecting the right machine and supplies to fit your unique needs can be a daunting task. In this post, we will cover the basics of wire binding, which is one of the most durable and secure of the traditional binding styles.

The Basics

Wire binding uses twin loop wires (also called “duo-wires,” “double loop wires,” “wire-o,” and “wirebinds”) to create strong and secure bound booklets. There are two distinct punch patterns used in wire binding – 2:1 pitch (two holes per inch) and 3:1 pitch (three holes per inch). The 3:1 pitch patter uses square holes, and is designed for small documents with fewer than 120 pages. The 2:1 pitch pattern, which is made up of rectangular holes, is reserved for larger documents with page counts of 110 pages or more. Depending on your binding volume, the holes can be punched using either a manual or electric punch. After the pages have been punched with the appropriate hole pattern, the holes in the document are aligned with the prongs of the wire and inserted. A specialized device called a wire closer is then used to gently bend the prongs of the wire into the closed position to secure the documents in place.

Twin Loop Binding Wires

Twin loop wires are available in both 2:1 and 3:1 pitches, and are sold in pre-cut, 11″ lengths as well as bulk spools for production environments. They are offered in a variety of colors, though not quite as many as plastic binding coils or 19-ring binding combs. Unlike plastic binding combs, duo-wires do not need to be opened before a document can be inserted as they are already in an “open” state. The looped design of binding wires enables wire-bound documents to lay flat when opened, making them an excellent choice for reports or presentations.

For information on which wire size to use for your project, refer to this wire binding chart. To see the selection of wire sizes and colors offered by Lamination Depot, visit our wire binding supplies section.

Wire Binding Machines

Wire binding utilizes two individual processes – punching the document and closing the binding wire to secure the document in place. Both punching and closing can be accomplished using either manual or electric machines, however electric wire closers are far less common than manual versions (and are generally only used in high volume production environments). Most wire binding machines offer both punching and closing capabilities, there are some stand-alone units that only punch or close (in addition to modular punches, which usually do not include a built-in wire closer).

When researching machines that perform punching (either with or without an inserter), there are a number of factors to consider. Most wire binding machines only punch a single pitch, which means that you will have to determine how many pages your average document will be and select the pitch that corresponds to that size. The 3:1 pitch pattern will bind documents ranging between 20 and 120 pages, and the 2:1 pitch pattern will bind documents between 110 and 260 pages. If you expect to bind a range of document sizes, then you may want to invest in a multi-function binding machine that is capable of punching with both patterns or a modular binding machine that uses interchangeable dies.

One of the biggest differences between available models is whether they are manual or electric, which has a major impact on the speed at which the operator is able to complete a job (with electric punches being much faster). Some punches only punch letter-sized paper, while others can accommodate larger sizes. The punch capacity (the number of sheets that can be punched at one time) ranges from 6-25 sheets, and some machines offer the ability to selectively disengage some or all of the punching pins (which allows the user to punch non-standard paper sizes or specialty paper, such as three-hole paper). Many machines include an adjustable depth margin, enabling the operator to move the placement of the holes relative to the edge of the paper.

Wire closers apply steady, uniform pressure to gently push the prongs of the wire closed. Since the wires are made of metal, documents bound with them are extremely tamper-resistant. Unlike combs, which can be opened and reused, or coils, which are easily removed and replaced, wire spines have to be bent or cut in order the edit the document, and specialized equipment is required to close a replacement wire.

To learn more about any of the wire binding machines available at Lamination Depot, visit our wire binding equipment section.

In Review

Wire binding is a popular method of document binding that creates books that are both attractive and functional. Because the wires are made of metal instead of plastic, they are more resistant to tampering and more durable than spiral binding coils or 19-ring combs. There are two distinct punch patterns used in wire binding – 2:1 pitch and 3:1 pitch – which accommodate specific document thicknesses. The punch patterns and supplies are not interchangeable, so it is important to purchase a binding machine that uses the appropriate pitch for your document size as well as the corresponding binding wires. If you plan on binding documents with a wide range of page counts, then you should consider a multi-function or modular binding machine that will enable you to punch using both 2:1 and 3:1 pitches. With both manual and electric punching and wire closing options available, it is possible to achieve a professional-looking and secure bound document within practically any budget. Electric punching can greatly increase binding speed and reduce operator fatigue, so it is recommended for high-volume production environments.

Machineless Lamination: The Benefits of Self-Adhesive Laminating Pouches

Also called self-laminating, self-sealing, or cold laminating pouches, self-adhesive laminating pouches are made with specialized laminating film that does not use thermally-activated adhesive. Because they do not require the use of heat, self-laminating pouches can be sealed without a machine, making them an ideal choice for small laminating projects or for laminating documents in the field (without access to electricity). In this post, we’ll take a closer look at self-sealing laminating pouches and learn more about the unique benefits they offer.

The Basics

Unlike thermal laminating pouches, self-adhesive pouches do not need to be run through a pouch laminator in order to achieve a proper seal (although some machines feature a cold lamination setting that can aid in sealing the pouch, which is useful but not required). They do have a few similarities to thermal pouches, in that they require a border around the outer edge of the document to create a seal and that once the film is applied to the document it cannot be removed.

To apply a self-laminating pouch to your document, begin by placing your document face down in the pouch with the adhesive side on the top. Once the document is positioned properly, slowly roll the adhesive side onto the insert document, peeling the paper backing off as you go. Press the air bubbles out of the pouch using your finger tips, then press firmly around all edges to create a seal.

Benefits of Self-Adhesive Laminating Pouches

Laminating is an extremely popular and versatile way to protect and preserve documents of all types, but not every laminating project is worth investing in a laminator. If you’re only laminating a small number of items and don’t already own a thermal pouch laminator, then you’ll probably find that cold laminating pouches are the most economical option for your needs. In addition to being a machineless method of lamination, they are often sold in smaller quantites than thermal pouches, so they’re ideal for short runs. The per-pouch cost of self-sealing pouches is considerably more than that of standard pouches, but they’re still very reasonably priced (especially when compared to the cost of a laminator).

Another benefit of self-laminating pouches is that they’re easy to use and safe for all ages. They don’t rely on heat, so they’re an excellent choice for classroom use or other projects with children. They’re also great for on-site laminating, since transporting a pouch laminator is not always possible. Field representatives can laminate membership cards, product literature, or other business materials just about anywhere, without having to find an outlet or wait for the machine to warm up. Finally, cold pouches work well with heat-sensitive items (such as photographs) that could be damaged during the thermal laminating process.

In Review

Self-sealing pouches are a simple and effective way to laminate your documents without a laminator. Although they cost a bit more than standard pouches, they are an excellent option for small laminating projects because they don’t require the additional investment of a laminating machine. They’re also more portable than thermal pouches and safe for all ages, since there’s no heat or electricity involved in the laminating process. If you’re looking for a way to preserve and protect a few of your most important documents and photographs, create a set of personalized luggage tags, make identification badges to help represent your company at an upcoming event, or any other short run laminating project, then be sure to take a look at self-adhesive laminating pouches.

iCoil Binding Machine Review: Compact Coil Binding Machines with Robust Features

Many offices have transitioned their document binding in-house, but finding a binding machine that offers the right combination of features in an office-friendly size can be tricky. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the iCoil-41 binding machine series, which pairs essential binding functions with an attractive and compact design.

The Basics

Coil binding utilizes a 4:1 pitch hole pattern (four holes per inch) in conjunction with plastic coils to create bound documents. Depending on the binding machine used, the punch is either operated manually or electrically, with most small office machines utilizing manual operation. Though the coils can be inserted by hand (by simply twisting the coil through the holes in the document), organizations that bind frequently generally prefer to use an electric coil inserter to speed up production time and increase efficiency. Electric coil inserters are built in to a number of coil binding machines, but can also be purchased as stand-alone units. In order to complete the bind, it is necessary to trim the excess coil and crimp the ends so that the coil will be secured within the document. This is most commonly done with a pair of hand-held cutting and crimping pliers, though some high-volume production environments use electric coil cutting and crimping units.

Benefits of the iCoil-41 Binding Machine Series

The iCoil-41 coil binding machine series from Akiles has two models – the iCoil-41 and the iCoil-41+. Both offer the same general features, including a 15-sheet manual punch capacity, a compact electric coil inserter, and a free pair of manual coil crimpers, but the plus model also has oval holes instead of round holes (for easier coil insertion) and a letter 4:1 pitch hole pattern instead of standard 4:1 pitch (which eliminates partially punched holes at the edges of the paper). The iCoil binding machines have a streamlined design, which includes a hinged cover that keeps the machine clean and protected when not in use. The electric coil inserter is operated with a convenient foot pedal, and is capable of inserting coils up to 7/8″ (coils up to 2″ can be inserted manually). As with all Akiles binding machines, the iCoil coil binders have a 1-year warranty and are built with the utmost care and precision.

In Review

To help cut costs and increase productivity, many businesses are bringing their document binding in-house. With coil binding being one of the most popular and cost-effective binding styles, coil binding machines are especially well-liked within the office environment. The Akiles iCoil binding machine series is packed with features usually found in more costly machines, including an electric coil inserter, but a much more attractive price point. If your organization has been considering an investment in a binding machine, then be sure to take a closer look at the iCoil binding machine series.

DIGIKote Laminating Pouches: Taming Hard-to-Stick-to Media & Heat-Sensitive Prints

Standard thermal laminating pouches are great for laminating documents printed on regular paper, but what about heat-sensitive prints or media that is difficult to adhere to? In those cases, low-melt laminating pouches are an excellent solution. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at DIGIKote laminating pouches, which are specifically designed to eliminate the headaches caused by hard-to-laminate documents.

The Basics

DIGIKote laminating pouches are made from the same DIGIKote film that is sold in rolls for wide format laminators. DIGIKote laminating films have a low laminating temperature (approximately 185 degrees – compared to up to 290 degrees for some standard films), which helps to preserve the inks in digitally-printed graphics which degrade when exposed to high heat. They also feature an aggressive adhesive formula designed to stick to a wide range of media. For added protection against fading, DIGIKote films feature patented LIGHTFast technology, which uses UV inhibitors to absorb damaging light wavelengths. As a result, digital prints laminated with DIGIKote laminating film will remain colorful and bold for up to five times longer than uncoated images.

Using a DIGIKote laminating pouch is similar to using a standard thermal laminating pouch, although the temperature setting is lower. Preheat your laminator to the proper temperature, insert your document into the pouch, and feed it through the machine (using a carrier sheet if required by your laminator).

In Review

Laminating is an excellent way to preserve and protect important documents, but not every document can be exposed to the high level of heat required by standard laminating film. Futhermore, some media are difficult for laminating film to adhere to. For these projects, DIGIKote laminating pouches provide an ideal solution – they’re easy to use and highly effective. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling frustrated with the level of adhesion or the digital ink deterioration while using standard laminating pouches, then you’ll definitely want to look into laminating with DIGIKote film.

What is the Difference Between 2:1 and 3:1 Binding Wires?

Twin loop binding wires (also called duo-wires or double loop wires) are offered in two pitch patterns – 2:1 and 3:1. The 2:1 pattern has two rectangular holes per inch, with each letter-sized sheet containing a total of 21 holes. The 3:1 pattern is made up of three square holes per inch, and each 11″ sheet having 32 holes. 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.

3:1 pitch is designed for smaller documents, with wires ranging in size from 1/4″ to 9/16″. The 3:1 pitch wires will accommodate booklets 20-120 pages thick (or 3/16″ to 1/2″ thick). The 2:1 pitch pattern is reserved for larger documents totaling between 110 and 260 pages (or 9/16″ to 1-1/8″ thick). Twin loop wires that have a 2:1 pitch are available in sizes from 5/8″ to 1-1/4″.

Five Ways for Parents to Use Binding

When most people think of binding, they picture bound reports and proposals designed for business applications, but binding also has many uses within the home environment. Below are five ways for parents to use binding to stay organized, share important information, and even provide fun activities for their children.

  1. Babysitter’s Guide – Whether you’re working with a new babysitter for the first time or have been using the same sitter for years, a bound babysitter guide keeps all of your important information in one convenient location. Using a word processing program, create sheets that list emergency contacts, helpful hints (such as favorite games, nighttime routines, etc.), special needs (dietary restrictions, allergies, medications, etc.), and even your favorite local pizza shops. Bind the sheets together using your preferred binding method for an easy-to-use booklet. To involve your children in the process, allow them to create the cover by giving them a blank sheet of cardstock and their favorite art supplies.
  2. Personalized Yearbooks – Have you been looking for a way to organize your child’s homework and art projects? Try creating a custom yearbook! At the end of each school year, gather their best tests, reports, artwork, and other assignments and bind them together using your binding machine. Place a copy of that year’s school picture onto the cover along with a label listing the name of the school, the grade, and the school year, and you’ll have a keepsake you’ll treasure for many years to come.
  3. Medical Records – Staying on top of immunizations and other medical records can be difficult, especially when you have multiple children. Try using your binding machine to make your own bound medical record books to keep all of their medical information organized. Begin by designing a few basic templates (with columns for date, doctor’s name, and other notes) for immunization records, prescribed medications, and surgeries using your preferred word processing or graphic design program. Print out a few copies of each template and bind a book for each of your children. Add an entry onto the appropriate sheet following each doctor’s visit, and you’ll find that keeping your medical records organized is easier than ever.
  4. Original Storybooks – Creating original, one-of-a-kind storybooks for your children will make reading extra special. Whether you choose to involve your child by letting them help you write the story and provide illustrations, or write your own story that features your child as the lead character as a surprise gift, you’ll find that making your own professional-looking bound storybook is easy. Just prepare the pages using a word processing program or graphic design program (or a combination of the two), and then bind them together using your favorite binding style. You can even leave some pages blank to allow your child to illustrate the story as they go.
  5. Vacation Activity Book – Traveling with small children can sometimes be stressful, but planning ahead and creating a vacation activity book will help provide entertainment during long car rides or flights. Print sheets featuring their favorite paper-based games, such as tic-tac-toe, mazes, word searches, or coloring book images (either create your own or find them online), and bind them together using your binding machine. These simple and inexpensive vacation activity books make traveling a breeze!

What is Pre-Punched Binding Paper Used For?

Many binding supply retailers offer pre-punched binding paper in the most common hole patterns. They are most commonly sheets of 20 lb. paper, and are generally sold either by the ream (500 sheets) or by the case (5,000 sheets).

For those who want to do their own professional-looking document binding but aren’t able to invest in a full-function binding machine, pre-punched paper makes it possible. By using the pre-punched paper with a stand-alone wire closer or comb opener, or a pair of coil crimping pliers, it is possible to create a quality bound document with ease.

Though pre-punched paper is popular with users who don’t own a binding punch, it is also frequently used in high-volume production environments. Since the pre-punched sheets can be run directly through digital copiers or printing presses, they save a great deal of time when compared to the amount of time required to both print and punch documents in-house.

Plastic Screw Posts: A Small But Mighty Binding Solution

With their compact size, ease of use, and extremely affordable price point, screw posts are quickly becoming one of the most popular alternative binding methods. Though the majority of binding posts are metal (usually aluminum or stainless steel), plastic screw posts are a unique post style that offers special features that aren’t available with their metal counterparts. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at plastic binding posts and discover what sets them apart from the rest.

The Basics

A plastic screw post 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 post is inserted into the hole, and then the threaded screw is inserted into the post 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.

What makes plastic Chicago screws unique is that they can be snapped together for a more permanent bind in addition to the editable bind that is created when the posts are screwed together. Because of this feature, plastic screw posts are also frequently referred to as “snap posts.” This permanent binding process takes advantage of the malleable properties of plastic, using small barbs on the inside of the post to gouge the threads on the screw portion and make it very difficult to remove.

Uses

Like aluminum screw posts, plastic snap posts can be used for a wide variety of binding projects. From booklets to menus to swatch books to oversized blueprints, they can secure and organize documents of practically any shape and size without the use of a specialized binding machine. Since they offer the user the option to choose between a bind that can be edited or a more permanent closure, they can even be used for documents that require a more tamper-resistant binding style.

In Review

Screw posts are a small-scale binding solution packed with big benefits. Like metal screw posts, plastic binding posts can be screwed together for a non-permanent bind, but they can also be snapped together for a bind that is tamper-resistant and permanent. If you have a need for a basic binding method with practically limitless applications, then be sure to take a closer look at plastic Chicago screws.

What is a Comb Opener?

A comb opener is a manually-operated device that is used to pull the prongs of the plastic binding comb open so that a punched document can be inserted. The comb opener has small teeth that gently pull on each of the prongs and pull them open, exposing the tip of each prong (onto which the document is placed). The vast majority of comb binding machines have built-in comb openers, but they are also sold as stand-alone units for high-volume production environments.

Manual comb openers have two sets of teeth – long teeth and small, angled teeth. The long teeth are what holds the comb in place, and the small, angled teeth are what pull the comb open. Start by placing the comb so that the individual loops fit into the spaces between the long teeth. The solid back of the comb should rest against the back side against the long teeth. Once the comb is in place, pull the handle to engage the small teeth and gently pry the prongs open. Insert your document into the comb by aligning the 19 holes with the 19 prongs, then push the handle back to its original position to close the comb and finish the bind.