Five Benefits of Binding with Twin Loop Wires

Wire binding is one of the most popular binding styles, and with the many unique benefits that it offers, it’s easy to see why. In the list below, we take a look at five of the benefits of binding with twin loop wires.

  1. Tamper-Resistant – Unlike binding with coils, which can be easily removed and replaced by hand, or combs, which allow documents to be edited, twin loop wires require specialized equipment to unbind and rebind, which makes them tamper resistant.
  2. Lays Flat – Wire-bound books lay flat when opened, and the pages can be turned to the back of the book (similar to a spiral-bound notebook) for ease of use when taking notes.
  3. Sophisticated – Documents bound with duo-wire have a sophisticated and professional look that can’t be matched by plastic coils or combs. Along with the tamper-resistant properties that they carry, the polished look of twin loop wire is one of the main reasons that wire binding is the most common style used in legal and financial industries.
  4. Strong – Because they’re made from metal instead of plastic, twin loop wires are extra strong, and documents bound with them can stand up to years of use.
  5. Versatility – In addition to binding booklets, double-loop wires can also be used to create custom calendars. Since they can easily cut to fit unusual documents with standard wire-cutters, they are an ideal choice for creating calendars with wire calendar hangers (which require that the wire be cut into two separate pieces to accommodate the notch that is added to the center of the calendar).

What is a Booklet Maker?

A booklet maker is a convenient style of binding machine that both folds and staples your documents to create professional-looking booklets. Because they have the ability to staple and fold without requiring the use of separate machines, booklet makers are a popular choice with churches, schools, and theaters. They are available in manual and electric varieties, to accommodate both moderate and high usage levels.

The specific operation instructions vary based on the model used, but the basic steps are as follows:

  1. Insert your document into the booklet maker, ensuring that it has been properly jogged and collated.
  2. Position the side guides and/or stapler head based on the size of your document. The side guides should be aligned against the edges of the document, and the stapler head should be located over the center of the sheets.
  3. Begin the binding process by either using the handle (manual machines) or the button (electric machines) to engage the stapler head.
  4. After your book is stapled, it will be folded and ejected from the booklet making machine.

How Does an Electric Coil Inserter Work?

Electric coil inserters are an effective way to increase productivity in any binding environment. Instead of having to manually twist coils into place, electric coil inserters allow users to quickly and efficiently spin plastic binding coils into punched documents. The coil inserter consists of a small, motorized roller that has a rubberized coating which grips the coil as it spins and advances it through the holes in the document. Many coil binding machines feature a built-in coil inserter, but they are also sold as stand-alone units for high-production environments.

To use an electric coil inserter, begin by manually inserting a coil through the first 3-4 holes in the document. Depending upon your model, the inserter will either have an on/off switch (and will be continuously on when in the “on” position”) or a foot pedal that will activate the inserter when depressed. Lightly touch the coil to the roller while it is spinning, and it will move the coil through the holes. Once the coil reaches the desired position within the document, simply pull the coil away from the roller and turn it off. Crimp the ends of the coil with a coil crimping tool to complete the bind and finish your document.

What is a Wire Closer?

A wire closer is a specialized device that closes twin-loop wires and Spiral-O wires in order to complete the binding process. Wire closers are available in both manual and electric versions to accommodate production volumes of all levels. Regardless of operation method, wire closers all function by applying uniform pressure to the wire binding spine in order to close the wire and secure the documents in place.

Though most wire binding machines feature built-in wire closers, they are also available as stand-alone units which be used to increase efficiency in a production environment. Since Spiral-O wires utilize the same punch pattern as comb binding, a wire closer is used in conjunction with a comb binding machine in order to finish the bind.

Perpetual Dry Erase Calendar Board Review

Dry erase calendars are a dynamic and cost-effective tool for getting organized. The only downside to these versatile boards is the time that it takes to update the grid with the dates each month – a process which has led some users to stick with traditional paper calendars. However, the new 13868UA-1 Perpetual Dry Erase Calendar Board by Board Dudes changes everything. With an innovative design, this calendar features built-in month and date information that is controlled by two convenient knobs, eliminating the need to manually write dates onto the calendar. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at this popular new dry erase board model.

The Basics

The 13868UA-1 Perpetual Calendar Board measures 17″ x 23″ and has an attractive and durable aluminum frame. The calendar design features six rows with seven columns to accommodate all possible date configurations. It also includes a handy “Notes” section as well as a cork strip to help you stay organized. The month and date information is located behind a protective, dry erase surface, and is controlled by two knobs located on the right side of the board. To change the month, simply twist the upper knob until you reach the desired month. Turn the lower knob to update the dates, which are configured in a way that enables them to fill all possible month length and starting day combinations.

In Review

Dry erase calendars are a budget-friendly alternative to traditional wall or desk calendars, since they can be used and reused for many years. The new 13868UA-1 Perpetual Dry Erase Calendar Board by Board Dudes eliminates the need to manually write in the month and dates with a unique design that pre-fills the information by simply twisting two convenient knobs. If you’ve found yourself deterred from dry erase calendars in the past because of the tedious process of writing in the dates each month, then you’ll definitely want to take a second look at the 13868UA-1 Perpetual Dry Erase Calendar.

Four Ways to Get Organized with Binding

If getting organized is one of your resolutions this year, then you’ll love these four organizational ideas that utilize your binding machine.

  1. Custom Day Planner – Using your favorite word processing or page layout program, create a blank template that is tailored to your specific needs. Unlike mass-produced planners, these custom pages give you the ability to add sections that are specific to your business or activities. Once the template is completed, print out as many double-sided copies as desired and bind them together to create the ultimate custom planner.
  2. Training Materials – Every organization has a set of training materials that have been created over the years. Make it easy for your employees or coworkers to stay on top of company procedures by binding your own training manuals. Simply gather the most frequently referred to documents, such as price lists, product brochures, and company policies, and use your binding machine to create easy-to-use guidebooks for everyone in your office.
  3. Calendars – Did you know that you can use your wire binding machine to bind your own calendars? Using free, downloadable calendar software or your favorite graphics program, create the pages for your calendar, add a notch to the center on the binding edge with a half-moon punch, then bind them together with twin-loop wire (inserting a wire calendar hanger before closing the wire). This is especially useful for organizations that need unusual calendar layouts (such as Monday through Sunday or work week-only).
  4. Log Books – Have you found yourself having difficulty keeping track of company-specific expenses or appointments in past years? Try creating your own custom log books to help you stay on top of your own information or that of your employees. Use your favorite word processing or page layout program to design a blank template for tracking expenses, listing client information, appointment notes, or whatever other information you may need to log, then turn it into a booklet with your binding machine.

What are Snap Posts?

“Snap posts” is another name for plastic screw posts which can be snapped together to form a permanent bind. Most plastic snap posts are designed so that they can either be snapped together for a tamper-resistant bind or screwed together for a reusable bind. To bind with snap posts, simply insert the screw into the post and apply pressure until the screw snaps into place.

What are PaperCombs?

The PaperLock binding system uses adhesive-backed paper strips called PaperCombs to create secure, eco-friendly bound documents. Though the machine itself does not perform any punching, it utilizes the same 19-hole punch pattern as traditional comb binding. To bind with the PaperLock system, begin by inserting your pre-punched document into the binding slot and clamping it in place. Insert the appropriate size of PaperComb into the holes and remove the adhesive backing, then use the Overturning Panel to flip the comb onto the document. Once the comb has been turned onto the spine, simply pull the binding handle down to complete the bind. After you have loosened the clamp, retrieve your finished document from the binding slot.

Like presentations bound with plastic combs, documents bound with the PaperLock system lay completely flat when opened, making them ideal for reports and proposals. Because the spine is flush against the surface of the paper, the resulting documents are easy to stack, file, and mail. PaperComb spines are secure and tamper-proof by nature, however you can add an extra layer of protection by signing or applying a company stamp across the seam of the bind – a feature that is unique to this binding style. Since the binding spines are made of paper, they are Earth-friendly and biodegradable, which is why a growing number of environmentally-conscious organizations have begun to use them in place of traditional comb binding spines made of plastic. Unlike plastic combs which require users to stock a broad range of sizes to accommodate different documents, PaperCombs can bind as few as four pages or as many as 200 with only three sizes. They are available in many attractive colors that will compliment any corporate brand identity.

How Does the FlexiPunch-E Modular Binding Punch Work?

The FlexiPunch-E is a modular binding machine that allows you to punch the four most popular binding patterns with a single machine, using easy-to-change punching dies. The video below showcases the benefits of this versatile binding system, and provides a step-by-step overview of the binding process.