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Who are the best plastic comb binding machine manufacturers?It can be challenging to select any new office device, but when it comes to comb binding machines, there are so many choices available, it’s almost overwhelming. One thing that can be helpful is knowing what some of the best manufacturers are. What follows is a short list of first-rate comb binding machine makers so you can know what brand names to look for while shopping. 1.) GBC. General Binding Corporation, also known as GBC, is definitely the most well-known company thanks to their longevity and their excellent products. GBC has been in business since the 1940′s and the name is more or less synonymous with comb binding. They have a terrific lineup of machines, such as the CombBind C450, and a lot of them are compatible with the company’s popular ZipBind spines. GBC makes products that are perfect for both large and small offices, and they also produce modular equipment, such as comb openers. 2.) Fellowes. This long-lived company has really made a name for itself due to their high-quality paper shredders, but they also make some very nice comb binding devices. A good entry-level unit is the Starlet, which can bind books containing up to 90 sheets. A more advanced model is the Galaxy E, an electric machine that has an astonishing binding capacity of 500 sheets. Whether you bind a little or a lot, there’s a Fellowes device you’ll probably love. 3.) Renz. Renz is a German company that makes some of the best machines money can buy. Their devices include the Combi Comfort, which has a hole punch operated by a foot pedal. The company’s entry-level device, the Combinette, has an incredible punching capacity of 5,000 sheets per hour. If you need to get the job done quickly, a Renz product would be a good choice. 4.) Akiles. Akiles has only been around since 1993, but they’ve already built up a great reputation thanks to their products such as the Offibind, a device that makes it easy for everyone to punch and bind their own documents. They even make the WireMac, a device that’s capable of working with both wire spines and combs. Akiles clearly manufacturers products that both the novice and experienced binder can use. 5.) Tamerica. Like GBC and Fellowes, Tamerica has been in the game for a pretty long time. The company launched in 1985 and makes some wonderful products, such as the 210PB which has 21 fully disengageable dies. Like GBC, Tamerica makes modular equipment including the 240HB comb opener. This company’s machines are great if you want advanced features such as adjustable depth of punch margin control. 6.) DFG. This relatively new company makes some reliable, heavy-duty devices that are great for high-volume applications. The E Titan has a wealth of advanced features including disengageable dies and it can bind books containing 500 sheets. The Titan is the manual counterpart of the E Titan with great features, including a terrific punching capacity of 28 sheets per lift. 7.) Prima PaperLock. If you like the look of plastic combs, but worry about their impact on the environment, a PaperLock machine will help you have a clear conscience. These devices utilize spines that look like plastic combs but they’re made from paper. The spines are 100% recyclable and easy to use, and they can bind 200-page documents. These products combine environmental awareness, ease of use, and a terrific binding capacity.

Why Should I Choose Plastic Comb Binding?If you’re looking for a document finishing method, there are a lot of options available. However, plastic comb binding is one of the best and should definitely be considered.Price. Comb binding is extremely affordable and costs less than wire, thermal, and color coil binding. The combs themselves often only cost pennies per piece and you can get a decent binding machine for less than $100.00. It’s the way to go if you’re sticking to a budget but still want your documents to look their best.Availability. Comb binding has been around for a long time and it’s very popular. Therefore, it’s really easy to get the supplies you need. You can order them online or pick them up at a big box office supply store. You definitely won’t find thermal, wire, or coil supplies at your nearest store, that’s for sure.Variety. Plastic combs are available in a number of colors such as navy blue, black, maroon, and yellow. There are even clear ones that can make your documents look great. Also, combs range in diameter from 3/16” to 2”. Thus, you can use this binding methods to create books that are up to 425 pages long. And while most combs are designed for use with letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”) you can get combs for other sizes of paper. That makes this binding method incredibly versatile.Ease of use. If you’re looking for an easy bookbinding method, comb binding is the way to go. All you need to do is punch holes in your document, open the comb with your machine, and inserts the tines into the holes. You then close the comb and remove the document from the machine. It doesn’t get much easier than that.Functionality. Comb binding is perfect for personal and professional documents. You can use it to bind cookbooks, financial reports, sample books, proposals, school assignments, legal documents, and more. Also, the combs make the documents lie flat which makes them easy to read. The combs will also keep their shape if you mail your books. Plus, you can open the combs at a later date in case your document needs to be edited.

What should I know about Comb Binding?Although there are more than a dozen common desktop binding styles available on the market, more users choose comb binding than any other style. This may be due to the fact that comb binding has been around the longest. Or it could be that comb binding is the most accessible binding style (equipment and supplies are available at most office supply stores). Whatever the reason, this article will introduce you to six important facts about comb binding that will help you to determine if this binding style is correct for you.  Sizes: Plastic binding combs are available in a number of sizes for virtually any project. The smallest size of combs available is three sixteenths of an inch. These are ideal for documents that are just a few pages long. The largest size of combs is two inches and can handle documents with as many as 400 sheets of paper. Combs that are 1.25″ or larger are oval in shape while smaller combs are round. Colors: Spines are also available a huge variety of colors to match your company logo or the color of your report cover. The most common colors are black, white, navy blue and clear. However, combs are available in over a dozen colors. If you can’t find the color that you need you can have combs flood printed with a PMS color or you can custom order an extrusion of another color. However, PMS flood printing is expensive and an extrusion of a custom color will require huge quantities (often between 10,000 and 50,000 pieces). Hole Pattern: Plastic binding combs use a nineteen hole pattern that features rectangular holes that measure 9/16″ on center. These holes are used by virtually all plastic binding combs. However, this hole pattern can also be used with Komtrak Inspiral coils and with Spiral-O 19-ring wires. Finishing: Using your comb binding machine you will need to punch your sheets. However, in order to finish your documents, you will need to use a plastic comb opener. Many smaller comb binding systems include an opener on the top of the machine. Or, higher volume users will sometimes choose to use a stand-alone comb opening device. The comb opener will spread the combs so that you can insert the pages onto the fingers of the spine. The opener can also be used to edit bound documents if you ever need to add or remove pages from the book. Printing: It is also possible for you to buy plastic combs that are printed with your name or company logo. They can be foil stamped or can be silk screened. This is a popular option for annual reports, cook books and for financial documents produced by accountants. However, virtually anything can be printed on a comb as long as it will fit. The Finished Product: Documents bound with plastic combs will open flat on a table to allow for note taking or photocopying. The pages turn easily and the binding is secure. However, the spine of the document will not allow the pages to flip from the front of the book to the back (360 degree rotation).

What can I create using Comb Binding?Plastic comb binding machines are very popular office devices because they offer a simple way of creating impressive-looking books. These machines are perfect for creating professional documents such as marketing proposals, brochures, and so on. However, comb binders can also be used for creative purposes and it can be handy to have one around if you’re a crafter, writer, or other creative type. Here are some things you put together with one of these machines….  Self-published works. Have you written a novel or a collection of poems? Are you trying to put together an anthology? If so, a comb binding machine will give you the means to put together a book that will impress your friends and readers. Plastic combs can bind documents containing as few as 10 pages or as many as 425 so they’re perfect for long and short works. A photo album. Whether you’re deeply into photography or just want to put together a collection of family snapshots, you can create your own photo album with one of these document finishing devices. You can print the pages out on your color printer and then put the book together in just a few minutes. It’s quick and easy. Your own customized scrapbook. If you’re into scrapbooking, a comb binder is something you might use frequently. You can pick out your own covers and paper stock and then create your own scrapbook out of these supplies. This will enable you to use your right brain and allow you to create something of which you can be proud. Music books. Are you a songwriter and/or a musician? If you are, you can publish your own books of music and share them with friends, family, and fellow musicians. And if there are a lot of loose pages consisting of lyrics and musical notations around the house, a comb binder can help you put these sheets into a book so they’re better organized and all in one place. Coloring books. If you’re an artist or know some who is, you could create a coloring book for your favorite kid. Just gather up some line drawings and organize, punch, and bind them. It couldn’t be easier. School projects. Students can get a lot of use out of comb binders as they can be used for a variety of items including reports, literary anthologies, etc. Teachers are much more impressed by a bound documents than one that’s merely been stapled. Your own creation. Chances are you can come up with your own creative uses for a comb binding machine. Let your imagination run wild!

What are some tips for using my comb binding machine?Whether you’re new to your comb binding machine or have been doing it for a long time, there’s no doubt about it: it’s one of the easiest binding methods around. However, just because it’s relatively easy, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t things you can do to make the process even easier. That said, here are five things you should keep in mind when using one of these devices. 1.) Emptying the chip tray is essential. It may sound like a no-brainer, but emptying your machine’s chip tray is important. It will make the whole process easier and it will reduce wear and tear on your device. That’s because if there are too many chips in the tray, punching will become more and more difficult, and you could eventually break some (or all) of the punching dies. That could lead to expensive repairs or you may even have to purchase a whole new machine. 2.) Lower the number of sheets you punch. Speaking of punching, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t try to punch too much at once. Your machine has a maximum punching capacity which can be as low as 5 sheets or as high as 25 or more. But just because your machine can theoretically handle that much paper, that doesn’t mean it should. It’s easier on the dies to punch smaller amounts so if you do that, you’ll find that your machine will last much longer. Also, take special care when punching plastic covers and don’t do more than one or two at a time. Plastic covers can really wreak havoc on the dies if there are too many of them. 3.) Use the adjustable margin control if your machine has it. Some comb binding machines have an adjustable margin control feature. What this does is let you control how far away from the edge of the paper your holes will be. This is important because if the holes are too close, the pages can be easily ripped out. However, if they’re too far away, it will be very difficult to turn the pages. So adjust the margins. Your books will be easier to read and the pages will be less likely to fall out. 4.) Be careful when opening the comb. When you go to open your comb, be careful when doing so. If you open it too far it’s just going to go flying off the comb opener and could potentially hit someone in the eye. Not only could that be dangerous, it means you have to open it all over again. 5.) Insert your pages in small groups. When it’s time to actually bind your book, you’ll want to place the pages in the comb in small groups rather than just as one big stack. Trying to insert all the pages at once is difficult and it can be frustrating if it doesn’t work the first time. If you insert the pages in smaller groups, your work will be much easier.

What should I look for in a manual comb binding machine?If you are in the market for a manual plastic comb binding machine, you might be wondering how to pick the device that’s best for your needs. To help you out, here are the five features you should look for. The right punching length. Most of the comb binding machines on the market are designed for letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”). There are some devices that are larger so you can bind documents of varying sizes. Usually these machines can handle paper that’s up to 14” long, so you can create legal-sized documents (8.5” x 14”). Choose a device that will be able to handle the paper you want to use. Disengageable dies. A good comb binding machine will have disengageable dies. Machines with disengageable dies are suitable for binding work of various sizes because they’ll punch the correct hole pattern. If you don’t disengage the appropriate die(s), you will probably end up with a partial hole at the edge of your paper. Depth of punch margin control. A depth of punch margin control is an essential feature that you should look for. This feature allows you to control the distance between the edge of the paper and where the holes are punched. Adjusting this distance will help you create documents that are easy to read because the pages will turn freely. Also, this feature makes it easier to bind short documents as well as work bound with oval combs. Durable construction. Since you’re putting out good money for your comb binding machine, it’s important to choose a device that is durably constructed. The most durable machines contain metal parts and can withstand years of use. Whatever machine you choose, it should definitely have a metal comb opener since this feature will be used frequently. A good warranty. Finally, the comb binding machine you select should have a good warranty. Comb binding machine warranties can last anywhere from 90 days to a year or two. Be sure to find out if the warranty is replacement one or of the return-and-repair variety. Replacement warranties can be more convenient because you’ll be able to get a new machine so you can stay productive.

How do I bind long documents?Bookbinding is a very popular document finishing method, but if you’re working with very long documents, it can be difficult to find ways to put your books together. Luckily, there are a number of options available if you just know what to look for. Here are six ways you can bind those long works including thermal and plastic comb binding. Check them out….1.) Screw posts. One of the better ways to bind thick documents is by using screw posts, which are sometimes referred to as Chicago posts. Screw posts are available in a variety of lengths and the longest ones are typically 5” long. If your work is really lengthy, you can get extenders for the posts. These are definitely supplies you should look at if your books contain a lot of pages, especially if you don’t want to use a binding machine.2.) Plastic combs. When one thinks of document finishing methods, plastic combs are usually the first supplies to come to mind. Using plastic combs is inexpensive, fast, and easy, and the  College Orange 4:1 Pitch Spiral Binding Coil combs can be used for documents of varying lengths. The largest combs available are 2” thick and can be used for documents that contain as many as 425 pages.3.) Unibind covers and spines. If you really want your documents to look great you should consider using Unibind supplies. Unibind covers and spines are designed for use with Unibind thermal binding machines, and they can make your documents look like they were bound by a professional. These supplies can accommodate works that contain up to 340 pages.4.) Twin-loop wire spines. Another bookbinding method that looks professional is wire binding. This document finishing method is perfect for items that need to convey a technological or high-class image such as marketing proposals, architectural plans, and more. Wire spines can be up to 1.5” thick so they’re great for long books that need to look fantastic.5.) Color coils. Finally, you may want to consider using color coils. These supplies come in more than 50 colors (including neon hues, pastels, and more) and they can bind books that are up to 440 pages long. Just keep in mind that it’s easier to insert color coils into your books manually rather than using a machine. That may not be ideal if you have a lot of books to assemble.

Are there binding workstations or tables I can use?If you’ve already purchased your binding machine or laminator, you’ve probably opened the box and faced a daunting question: Where to put your new machine? Making room for your new device on an existing surface might be difficult or even impossible depending on how crowded your office is and the size of the machine. In that case, you’ll need to order a new table or workstation for your new machine. Here are four you should consider….1.The Binding System Workstation. This product is a good choice if you need a roomy surface on which to place your binding machine. It has a strong metal frame to withstand heavyBinding System Workstation use and there are two locking casters so you can move the table to anywhere you need it. This table has six drawers in which you can store your supplies as well as clear plastic compartments that are great for keeping smaller items handy. The surface has a white epoxy finish and the device as a whole has the following dimensions: 36″ (height) x 18″ (depth) x 30″ (width).2.The Heavy-Duty Binding Utility Station. This station is heavy-duty and will provide you with years of use. It has a large 36-inch wide work surface and a lot of shelves for storage of all of your supplies. In fact, there are three shelves under the table and two above, so you’ll have a ton of room for your supplies. The legs all have casters at the ends of them and the legs are metal so they’ll easily support the weight of your binding system. You can also use this product with laminators, guillotine and rotary trimmers, and so on. Plus, you’ll be able to assemble it easily without tools

How do I bind a large document?Binding large documents can be challenging especially since so many binding machines are designed for use with letter-sized paper. Whether you’re using large sheets of paper or your document is exceptionally thick, you may be thinking that there is no way to bind it. Luckily, that’s not the case. Here are a few ways you can bind your larger documents: Plastic comb binding. A lot of people like comb binding because it’s relatively easy as well as affordable. This binding method is good for thicker documents since the largest combs are 2” in diameter and can bind work that’s up to 425 pages long. Also, it is possible to use larger sheets of paper with a comb binding machine provided it has these two features: an open punching throat and disengageable dies. The open punching throat will accommodate your paper and the disengageable dies will allow you to produce the right number of holes for your document. After you disengage (or engage) the appropriate dies, punch holes in your document and then bind it with the machine’s comb opener. Repeat the process if necessary.Coil binding. Coil binding is another popular document finishing method for a couple of reasons. For one thing, coils are available in a lot of different colors and there are even some that are environmentally friendly. Also, coils can bind thick documents that contain as many as 440 pages. You need to keep in mind though that if you choose this method, you will need to use a machine with the aforementioned open punching throat and disengageable dies. You can then spin the coil through the holes in the paper manually or with an electric coil inserter. When you’re done, you will need to crimp the ends of them after you bind your work. Crimping the coil secures the binding and is done with crimping pliers. Some people find this task a bit challenging but it gets easier with practice. (Watch the accompanying video to see how crimping is done.)

What binding options are available for editing documents at a later time?Have you ever had this happen to you? You finally finished that important document that took you weeks to prepare. Then you bound it for your big presentation…only to find out that there’s an error. Maybe some pages are missing or are in the wrong order. Maybe you noticed a glaring typo. Whatever it is, there’s no doubt about it: you need to edit your document. If so, hopefully you picked a binding method that will allow you to make the necessary changes. There are a few methods that allow you to edit your documents. Here they are…Plastic comb binding. This is a very popular method because it’s easy, inexpensive, and looks great. You can also re-open the combs after binding in case you need to make any changes. It’s easy to do and won’t take very long, so this is a Hunter Green 15 Ring Half Size Plastic Binding Combgreat method to choose if you want professional-looking documents that can be edited quickly if the need arises.Thermal binding. If you use a thermal machine, such as a Unibind device, it’s possible to make changes to your work so long as you’re not totally overhauling the entire book. If you place the document back on the machine, the glue will heat up enough so that you can remove several pages and replace them without damaging the book. This can be a bit tricky, so be careful. You should only edit a thermally bound document once or maybe twice. If you do it any more than that, the glue in the spine won’t be able to hold on to any more pages, leaving you with a ruined document.Fastback. If you have a Powis Parker Fastback machine, such the #11 model, it’s also possible to edit your work after the fact. The trick is you can only add and/or remove 2 sheets at a time. So this isn’t the method to use if you think you’ll need to do more edits than that.

What are my options for binding thick documents?When it comes to binding thick documents, you might think your options are limited. Luckily, that’s not the case. Here are several ways you can bind thick documents:1.Plastic comb binding. Plastic comb binding is perfect for long documents. The largest combs are 2” in diameter and can bind up to 425 pages. The big combs are oval-shaped instead of circular and they have locks on them to keep your document together. Also, plastic combs come in a number of different colors.2.Color coil binding. If you enjoy working with color coils, you’ll be happy to know that they can be used to bind thick books. Like plastic combs, they can be used to bind documents containing 400+ pages. Be aware that binding thick documents with coils can be tricky. It might take a bit of practice before you can do it successfully.3.Wire binding. Wire binding is one of the best ways to make any document look elegant. There are some wire spines that are 1.5” thick and they can bind as many as 300 pages. These wire spines require a 2:1 pitch hole pattern (i.e. 2 holes punched per inch) so you’ll need to make sure that the binding machine you’re using can produce this hole pattern.4.Thermal binding. Another bookbinding method you should consider is thermal binding. This method makes documents look like they’ve been professionally bound which is a major plus if you need to impress someone. There are some thermal binding supplies that can bind up to 500 pages. These supplies can also be customized.5.Screw posts. Using screw posts is a good idea if your work is particularly long and if you need to save money. Screw posts can bind books that are up to 5” thick and if you use an extender, you can bind even more pages. Best of all, these supplies are easy to use and don’t really require any special equipment except a hole punch. (Or a paper drill if you need to punch holes in large stacks of paper.)

What are my options for binding a scrapbook?Are you looking to get started with scrapbooking in 2012? If so, you’ll love this hobby because it gives you a chance to be extremely creative while also cataloging your memories so you can look back on them in the future. If you want to make your own scrapbook instead of using a store-bought one, there are a couple of ways to do so. Here are three options for binding a scrapbook:Plastic comb binding.  Comb binding is a great option for binding a scrapbook. Not only are combs affordable and easy to come by, they can bind scrapbooks that are up to 425 pages long. Plus, you will be able to add to and delete pages from the book since combs can be re-opened.Screw posts.  If you want to create an exceptionally thick scrapbook, you might want to consider using screw posts. These implements come in a number of lengths ranging from 1/8” to 5”. If you choose to use screw posts, you will need to punch holes in your book if you’re not using pre-punched paper. You can use a simple three-hole punch if that’s what you have at homeCoil binding.  Finally, coil binding is a nice option simply because coils come in dozens of colors. It’s easy to find a coil that will complement your scrapbook’s theme and cover. One thing you need to keep in mind is that if you want to add to or remove pages from the book, you will need to re-bind it. Therefore, you should make sure the scrapbook is large enough to fit your needs before binding it.

What are my options for binding a book?Saddle Stitching:Saddle stitching is a very common form of binding, which you have mostly seen in smaller booklets and magazines.Using the saddle stitching method, the pages are essentially folded in half and stapled in the middle. Usually two staples are used, and they are placed equidistant from the edge of the pages. The machines that do this binding style are called “booklet makers.” No paper punching is required for saddle stitching, and as previously stated it is a great choice for newsletters, programs, and those types of smaller booklets, as sell as magazines.Plastic Comb BindingThis is also a method of binding that you have likely see quite a bit of over the years. The “plastic comb” in question refers to the spine. The spine is made up of a plastic strip with comb-like teeth that curl around each other and hold the pages in place. With plastic bomb binding you get a book that can open flat, making it a great choice for cookbooks, manuals, and other books where it may be beneficial to be able to read in a hands-free fashion. This type of binding requires that you Renz Premium Red 3:1 Twin Loop Ring Wirepunch holes in the paper to insert the spine, and there are many machines on the market that are designed to do exactly that. Some of them include what are called “comb openers” that enable you to insert the spine into the book.Spiral Coil BindingAlso known as Color Coil, this is a method of binding you have seen a lot, too. This method of binding is essentially a wire that is wound up through holes that are punched in the edges of the pages, similar to you average wire-bound notebook. Spiral coils come in lots of different colors and are usually made of plastic, or wire that is coated in plastic. These books also require hole-punched pages, and the wire can either be inserted by hand, or with a special tool. These books lie flat, and the pages can also be flipped completely over for added functionality.Twin-Loop BindingAlso called double loop, or wire-o. This binding style provides a slightly more elegant look than the previously mentioned methods. Usually featuring thick cardboard covers, books that you would find bound in this method include journals, address books, and art and photography collections. The pages in these books must be punched, and the wire is then inserted and closed using a special tool.Thermal BindingAlso known as perfect binding, this is the style you are accustomed to seeing on hardcover and soft-cover books. Though it may seem counterintuitive, this most permanent and elegant of binding systems is quite easily done. Usually, your pages are simply placed inside the cover, which is then placed on its spine in a machine that quickly heats a glue strip that is located in the cover. The whole process can take as little as 30 seconds, and you can have a permanently bound, bookshelf-ready book as soon as the glue cools. In this method, no hole-punching is required, though with glossier paper stocks, it can be helpful to staple the edges before binding.

What Pitch Do I need for Coil Binding?4:1 coil--two options(43 hole and 44 hole)?If you’re browsing through machines, you’ll see 4:1(43 hole or .250) and 4:1(44 hole or .248). They use the same coil, so there is no worry there. The difference is only a visual appeal--with 44 hole, the holes come closer to top and bottom edges of the page. This provides a tighter, more full look that some may prefer, but some may like the extra space of 43 hole. In the end, it’s not a huge difference.3:1 coil used with 3:1 wire bindingIf you have a wire binding machine or proclick punch already you don’t need to purchase a coil punch machine. 3:1 coil gives you the availability to use the wire binding punch. The only downside to this is that the holes are square, and not rounded. You also either need to bind it by hand or purchase an inserter. But it is a great option for that special project if you already have another style of binding machine.2.5:1 coil used with 2:1 wire bindingIf you have ever tried to insert coil onto a large document (over one inch) you know just how difficult it can be.  Sort of like putting a slinky on the edge of a book.  2.5:1 pitch coil is made of thicker filament (plastic) and is used with a 2:1 or 2.5:1 (only available on specialized large auto punches).  The thicker coils and smaller number of holes makes inserting a breeze.  Definitely worth a try if you do many large documents and have a 2:1 punch.5:1 coilYou can find one or two 5:1 machines out there for an even tighter look than the 44 hole 4:1 coil. Again, this is a visual option. It’s NOT more expensive, and it has the same color selection as the very common 4:1.  5:1 coil is sometimes referred to as 5mm and is most common outside the USA.3.2:1 coilThis is mostly used with industrial coil machines, but can be used with 3:1 wire. It is only available in larger sizes, but it’s made of a harder plastic.6mm coilThis coil is the equivalent to 4:1 pitch but is mostly sold in European countries.  If you have a 6mm machine you can special order this pitch or if you prefer just order standard 4:1 pitch and use that (you will probably save yourself a few dollars).Turbo CoilBIG projects? Turbo coil is a thick coil, but it requires specific machines to punch.  Like 2.5:1 it is designed for documents larger than 1 inch and is made specifically to make inserting easier.  The holes for this pattern are larger and oval shaped to allow pages to turn easier on your document.  This is a huge favorite with larger print shops that coil bind big, thick documents.Our Recommendation?We recommend going with 4:1 coil. If you need a machine and don’t care if the punch pattern is 44 hole or 43, just choose whichever machine you like the most in your price range.Key Points:1.Your safest bet--4:1 coil.2.Have a wire binding machine? Try 3:1 or 2.5:1 coil depending on your machine.