A guide to purchasing

Things to Consider - Binding Machines
 

What kind of look do you want for your bound documents?
Before purchasing a binding machine, think about how you would your document to appear. Each method of binding will give your document a different look. You will need to way up the look you want to achieve in comparison to the application required.

How many documents will you be binding either daily or in one run?
It is important to buy a machine that matches the volume you need to bind. If you are only binding a few documents a day, a manual punch binding machine may suit your requirements. Manual punch binding machines are significantly less expensive than electric punch binders but take considerable more time and effort. If your workload is considerable it is well worth considering purchasing an electric punch machine. Even though the initial capital outlay is higher the savings relative to time and labour will soon pay off. For example an electric machine of equal quantity of manufacture and equal punch capacity (say 20 sheets per punch) quadruples your binding output to that of its manual counterpart. In sumary, a well manufactured electric punch binding machine significantly increases production output and also eliminates operator fatigue.

What will the application of  your bound document be?
Each method of binding will give your document a different look. Different styles of binding apply to different applications. For instance board reports may be very thick and pages need to be added at will, a presentation to an important client may need to be eye catching, pages may need to be turned a full rotation and lay flat for space restricitons, easier reading or for copying puposes. 

Plastic comb binding is ideal for internal documents and/or if you need to bind very thick documents. This method enables pages to be extracted or inserted as required because the combs can be re-opened and closed. The trade-off is that comb binding is not as professional in appearance and the spine impedes the document from laying flat or turning a full rotation.

Double loop wire binding presents a more professional finish than plastic comb. The wires close perfectly round which allows pages to turn a full rotation but the wire cannot be readily re-opened to insert pages without unravelling and destroying the wire. Wire binding come in two different pitch or hole spacing which is relative to document thickness.

Spiral coil binding is often used in training manuals, menus, tenders, teaching aids or any application where the document is frequently handled or roughly treated as the coils are crush resistant. Spiral binding can bind documents up to 240 sheets in thickness. The coil is formed from PVC into the shape of a continual spring. The coil winds through a series of tiny closely spaced round holes. This style of binding is very similar to “Spriax” note pads but is manufactured from a thick gauged plastic rather than wire. Like double loop wire the pages will lay flat and opened back to back for ease of reading. Some models punch round holes whilst others punch oval holes. Oval hole models make for easier inserting of coils than round hole models.

Thermal binding produces a sleek document and uses a wrap around pre-fabricated cover (usually a clear front and cardboard back) of which the spine is pre-glued. It is a useful way to bind documents which are not frequently read, for example real estate appraisals. Frequent handling and turning pages back to back may cause the glue to crack in the spine leading to lost pages.

Deciding between Electric and Manual
Plastic binding, double loop wire binding and spiral coil machines are available in either manual or electric punch. You will probably want an electric punch if you will be involved in larger volume binding. Some spiral coil models have electric coil inserters which electrically roll the coils onto the punched paper.

Purchase Quality
There are 2 types of binding machines on the market. Well manufactured machines and poorly manufactured machines. When purchasing a machine consider; how sturdy is the chassis, is the outer casing plastic or metal? Is the componentry strong and manufactured from good quality materials. Are replacement parts expensive and is the reseller a qualified service agent for this product? Other features of importance are an adequate sized waste tray size. Many machines have inadequate sized waste trays which quickly fill to capacity enabling the paper chits to work their way inside the machine breaking internal workings.

The punching dies (hole cutters) are the most important component. Cheaply manufactured machines have soft metal punches which blunt and produce frayed holes. Hardened steel dies produce clean, crisp perforations which make the binding process much easier and faster. Many machines are manufactured from moulded clip lock plastic. Such machines are not serviceable and cannot be repaired. Solid metal chassis allow a service technician access to the machines internal mechanisms to ensure your machine will give you peak performance and last the test of time.

	Plastic Comb	Wire Binding	Thermal	Spiral Coil
Highly professional finish
Document lays flat
Pages turn 360 degrees
Need to add pages as required
Need to bind over 250 sheets
Suitable for mailing
High security