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Channel Binding:
Q. How does the binding process work?A. Channel Binding consists of a wrap round cover with a steel spine inside. The paper is placed in the steel channel, which is then squeezed tight to hold the papers in. This method produces a permanent and very strong bind.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. Books under ten sheets cannot be de-bound. Upwards of ten sheets can normally be de-bound using the machine’s de-bind system. The covers can then be re used. Without a machine, the books cannot be taken apart.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. See above.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. You can only use Channel covers, which are specifically designed for this type of binding. Both hard and soft are available.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. Although you cannot customise your own covers, we can print your details during the manufacturing process.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. Only a few seconds; Channel Binding is a quick method of binding.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. Very little operator effort is required. The larger machine in the range is even quicker.
Comb Binding:
Q. How does the binding process work?A. Plastic combs arrive in a closed format. The binding machine will hold the comb open, while the punched sheets are inserted. The comb will then be closed.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. Comb binding can be dismantled without a machine, although re-assembly can be difficult without a comb binder.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. Yes, using any comb binding machine, however do not expect your customers to amend documents on your behalf: they will rarely be able to. You are better to replace the document.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. With the exclusion of Half Canadian covers, any standard covers can be used.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. You can easily customise your own covers with this type of binding.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. Approximately 20 seconds to 2 minutes.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. As a general rule, the smaller the machine, the more operator input required. Electric punching will make that part of the process much quicker.
Considering your binding requirements:
Q. Which binding machine do I need?A. Binding documents is vital to winning business. The following section will assist you by asking you a series of questions relating to your binding requirements. Remember: your document is your first and sometimes your last opportunity to impress. It should reflect the effort that goes into what you do.
Q. What is the primary function of your document?
A. Will your document be a sales brochure; technical report; operator manual; training manual; reference document; price list or final report? Different types of bind have different benefits. Working documents need to be strong and durable. They usually benefit from bending back and lying flat so the reader does not need two hands. If desk space is at a premium folding the book right round to take up less space is a big advantage. Wire and comb documents lend themselves to this type of document A sales document or final report such as an accountant’s report will seldom be read many times and benefits from being eye catching or looking valuable. It should be easily stored on a shelf and post well so it arrives in good condition. Thermal and wrap round cover styles look good in this environment and can also benefit from printing on the spine to aid location on bookshelves.
Q. Does your document need to be secure?
A. Some documents should be secure. This is so the end recipient cant take pages in and out at will. You should consider this if you produce documents for which you charge such as literature or legal documents or market reports. Other documents need to be undone to copy or amend. Once sent out, documents are rarely updated by the customer. You should consider pockets or clip in sheets, which you will find in the supplies section. The easier it is for the customer to update, the better the chance they will do it.
Q. What is the maximum size of document you will need to produce?
A. The size of the documents you need to bind will have some bearing on the type of equipment you will need. Many of the smaller machines will only bind smaller documents, so you must consider the maximum size of document you will wish to produce. The choice of machines will be different if you want to produce documents that are anything other than A4.
Q. What paper size do you wish to use?
A. You will need to check that the machine you buy is capable of binding the different sizes you need. For example do you need to bind A5, A4 or A3? This will have a bearing on the type of machine you purchase.
Q. What will be your average number of documents you produce in a week?
A. How many documents you need to produce and how often will determine the durability of the machine you will require. Not all machines are designed to last for ever. If you have to produce a lot of books with thick paper you will need a heavier machine than one that is designed to produce 1 book per week.
Q. What is your ideal production speed?
A. Your production speed will become more important the more books you wish to produce or the thicker they are. It will also need to be considered if you have to work to tight deadlines due to postal times or customer demands. The cost of every bind must include the time spent producing it, in other words a small slow machine may not represent the best value. Some systems are faster than others.
Q. How much automation do you require?
A. How much physical effort are you or your staff prepared to put into your binding? Producing large documents or high numbers on manual punch and bind machines is possible if you don’t mind the effort required. If your machine is to be situated in a reception or public area the work should be as un-obtrusive as possible so it may be worth considering an electric machine.
Q. How much portability do I need?
A. If you work in a small office, have cramped conditions or work away from the office you may find that portability is important. You may wish to put the machine away in a cupboard after use. If you do larger runs it is advisable and faster if you have a dedicated area for your equipment where supplies can be stored nearby.
Q. What area of cost is most important to me?
A. There are two cost elements to consider: Your capital cost of the equipment is important, however it is also vital to consider the on going cost of supplies. If you do large numbers of inexpensive handouts then your consumable cost should be more important than the capital cost. However if you only do a few binds every now and again or if each bind represents your heavy investment in time or is to try and win high value contracts you should worry less about the supplies costs and concentrate on the style and appearance of your presentation.
Fastback Binding:
Q. How does the binding process work?A. Fastback Binding uses a spine strip in a choice of colour pre-coated with thermo plastic (similar to glue). The machine heats the strip and joins the spine and covers together. This process is all carried out inside the machine and produces an extremely strong and very flexible permanent bond to the paper.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. With the exception of some very shiny papers, the finish is extremely secure. You would normally tear a page in half before being able to pull it from the book. It is probably three times stronger than wire or comb binding.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. All Fastback machines have an edit facility, which allows you to add or remove pages if required.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. Virtually any A4 standard covers can be used, with the exception of plastic i.e. PVC, which would melt during the binding process. You can however use Fastback Clear Covers, which are specially designed to be heat resistant and provide an excellent, clear finish.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. In addition to normal printing techniques, Fastback also offers a dedicated Foil Cover Printer. Please email us for a sample.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. The smaller machines in the range take about 45 seconds per book. The larger machines will reduce the binding cycle to approximately 15 seconds per book.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. This binding method probably requires the least operator input of any binding system. It is virtually completely automatic!
General Binding:
Q. What does 2:1 and 3:1 pitch mean?A. This number refers to the number of holes per inch on a document, i.e. 2 holes to the inch for 2:1 and 3 holes to the inch for 3:1. This pitch system relates to wire binding. Typically 3:1 is used for all documents up to 100 sheets. Due to the nature and construction of wire at a size 10 wire and approximately over 100 sheets, you will have to use a 2:1 pitch punch in addition to a 3:1 pitch. The only alternative is using a 2:1 pitch machine and using 2:1 pitch wire, which is now available in all the smaller sizes. You will need to contact us if you need assistance in this area.
Q. What do you use a closer for?
A. A closer is the second half of the wire binding process. Once the holes are punched and the wire threaded through, the closer squeezes the wire shut and finishes the bind.
Q. How do I know which size wire to choose?
A. There is a capacity guide shown against each wire in our ‘wire binding supplies’ section. This shows how many pages each size will bind. This is only a guide however, as paper thickness, print and personal preference will vary. If in doubt, always choose a slightly bigger wire. As a basic guide, remember that the guides are based on the paper thickness being 80gsm. If you were therefore using paper of 100gsm, for example, you would need to re-calculate the wire size needed.
Q. How do I make a Calendar?
A. Calendar binding is the same basic principle as wire binding, with the addition of a thumb cut and the insertion of a hanger. You can either enclose the hanger during the wire closing process (this can be a bit fiddly!) or use our calendar hangers, which is the much easier option. These hangers have been chosen by us as they fit through the closed wire bind. This system is both simple and quick. If you use the longer hangers (150mm), you can push them in from the edge of the calendar. If you use the shorter ones (57mm) you can insert them through the hanger gap.
Q. How do I bind my calendar?
A. Punch the holes. Punch the thumb cut if not integral in the calendar machine you are using. Insert a full-length wire and close. Snip out the loops not being used where the thumb cut is and insert the hanger. It’s as simple as that!
Laminating:
Q. What does the term ‘micron’ mean?A. This refers to the unit of measurement used to show the thickness of laminating film. If film is supplied on a roll, it will range between 25 to 250 microns, depending on your choice. If film is supplied as a pouch, there will be two flaps of equal thickness ranging from 75 to 250 micron. These flaps are joined together to form a total pouch thickness of 150 to 500 microns. Take care when choosing your pouches that you know whether the thickness relates to either a single flap or the two flaps together.
Q. Can I use cold lamination pouches in a heat seal machine?
A. Yes: If the machine has a cold laminating facility. However, as cold pouches are more expensive than thermal pouches, it would not normally be a cost effective idea.
Q. How do I know what heat to run my laminator at?
A. As an initial rule, follow the machine manufacturer’s instructions. If the result comes out milky and is not sticking properly, you are probably not using enough heat or are laminating too fast. If your pouch appears clear but wrinkly or wavy, you have too much heat: This can be fixed by using a faster speed or simply turning the heat down.
Q. Do I need to trim laminating pouches once they have been through the machine?
A. If you choose the right size pouch for your document, you should not need to trim.
Q. Can I trim pouches?
A. Pouches stick to themselves at the edges and all over the sheet inside. There is nothing to stop you trimming flush or through a laminated document. If, however, you subsequently use the document in a wet environment, water will penetrate the edge grain of the paper so they will not last as long.
Q. Can I put more than one item in a pouch?
A. Yes, however the pouch should be at least 75% full on the leading edge, i.e. the joined up side that you feed in first. If it is not, the pouch will be unstable when heated and is likely to jam. A reverse button, if fitted, and when used in time, will prevent an expensive repair.
Q. Should I choose a pouch or a roll laminator?
A. If your requirements are short run; of common paper size (A4, A5 etc) or are intermittent; a pouch system will suit you best. If you have requirements that frequently consist of over 20 – 50 documents or need to laminate documents of an unusual size, shape or printed on a shiny material, you would be best advised to consider a roll laminating system. Roll laminating is faster, but don’t forget you will probably need some sort of trimmer to finish off the document once it has been laminated.
Q. What happens if my pouch gets stuck?
A. The best defence is to be careful and quick with the reverse button, if fitted. The IP range of pouch laminators provides some access to the rollers inside the machine. To remove a stuck pouch once it has gone cold can be extremely difficult. It is best, in this instance, to return the machine to our workshop for removal. Please be aware that with all manufacturers, this is a chargeable service.
Secura Binding:
Q. How does the binding process work?A. This is a perfect binding process, which means your pages and covers are presented to a gluing system, which applies molten glue to the spine. The cover is then wrapped, pressed and creased, producing a typical ‘library style’ book bind as seen on catalogues, paper backs and even hardback binding. See www.mortonpresentation.com for a moving demonstration.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. The finish on a perfect bound book is extremely secure. You would normally tear paper in trying to remove a page from a perfect bound booklet.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. Once perfect bound a book can only be edited by cutting off the spine and re-binding it.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. There are Secura Covers, which have been specifically designed for the machine, however you can custom make your own covers using a creasing machine. Any suitable material can be used.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. Yes, or we can do it for you.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. Approximately 15 to 20 seconds.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. As there is no punching required, Secura binding is a one function bind and as such it requires a lot less effort than any punch and bind system.
Strip Binding:
Q. How does the binding process work?A. Holes are punched in the paper and prongs on a plastic strip are aligned with the holes. A female strip is then placed on the back of the document and, depending on the model of the machine, the excess prongs are either folded over or cut off to produce the finished document.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. With all strip bound documents (apart from the very small, 4 prong machines) once documents have been bound, they cannot be dismantled without complete destruction of the strip. These documents are regarded by the legal profession as being ‘legally secure’.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. Only by completely dismantling and re-binding.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. Any standard A4 covers can be used.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. Printing of this nature can be done by anyone.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. Although you cannot print your covers yourself, we can print them for you. Just email us the details.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. Punching and binding of one document will vary depending on the thickness of the book, however, on average, it should take between 45 seconds and 2 minutes.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. As a general rule, the smaller the machine, the more operator input required. Electric punching will make that part of the process much quicker.
Thermal Binding:
Q. How many pages can I bind in a thermal cover?A. Thermal binding covers are available in the following sizes: 1.5mm: 1-5 sheets 2mm: 5-12 sheets 3mm: 12-20 sheets 4.5mm: 20-32 sheets 6mm: 32-45 sheets 9mm: 45-72 sheets 12mm: 72-90 sheets 15mm: 90-116 sheets 19mm: 116-150 sheets 25mm: 150-200 sheets 30mm: 200-265 sheets 38mm: 265-310 sheets 48mm: 310-400 sheets These covers are mostly made to order, so expect a 7-10 day turnaround time.
Q. How does the binding process work?
A. A preformed cover, with glue inserted to a required spine width, is heated on a small element inside the binding machine. The pages then sink into the glue. Once cooled, the binding is complete.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. Our high quality, thermal covers will provide a very secure bind. But make sure you use the right cover size for the book. Too many sheets for the cover will result in a poor quality bind. Too few sheets will always stick, but may look baggy.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. All thermal binding manufacturers will say yes, however this is usually a sticky, messy and not particularly successful process, which is best avoided.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. You can only use the special, pre made thermal covers.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. The binding cycle normally takes between 15 to 30 seconds, but with the much larger machines i.e. the Prima 22CS, you can bind several books at once, making this an extremely quick method of multiple binding.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. You won’t need to be a rocket scientist to work these machines. If you can press a button, you can thermal bind!
Wire Binding:
Q. How does the binding process work?A. Wire binding is a continuous piece of wire formed into loops, which go through punched holes. The wire is then squeezed shut and retains the book.
Q. How secure is the finished bind?
A. Wire bound documents require the wire to be removed and destroyed in order to add or remove pages. A new wire must then be inserted.
Q. Can I add pages or remove them if I need to?
A. Yes, but you will need a new wire each time.
Q. What type of covers can I use?
A. Almost any type of standard cover can be used. PVC, card covers and some specialist covers such as Half Canadian, which wrap right round the document, creating a spine for the bookcase. These must be custom made and can be printed with your company logo.
Q. Can I print my own company’s details on the covers?
A. On many of the standards covers, you can print your own details. On specialist covers, we can print your details for you. Simply email the details to us.
Q. How long does the bind cycle take?
A. Wire binding can take anything from approximately 20 seconds to 2 minutes per book, depending on the speed of the machine you buy and the book size. Don’t be fooled though: Heavy Duty Manual machines can often be quicker than a more expensive, low volume electric. You will, of course, require more operator effort in this instance.
Q. How much operator input is required?
A. In general, there is no automatic wire binder, but as a rule the smaller the machine you buy, the greater input you will have to make. Electric punching will reduce the majority of the work and if complimented by an electric closer, more consistent and quicker binding will be achieved.