Yamot Articles Directory

With the high cost of trade paperbacks today, it is extremely important that libraries find ways to make their books last. Most public libraries and school libraries have extremely limited budgets for purchasing new titles and would much rather spend their money expanding their collection instead of replacing their books. Now libraries can extend the life of their trade paperback books using a thermal binding machine. Here’s how…

When most trade paperback books are shipped from their publishers they are suitable for personal use. However, their bindings are often not strong enough to hold up to the abuse that most library books receive. Over time the covers of the books can begin to separate from the book block or pages can fall out. However, the binding of these books can be significantly improved by simply running them through a thermal binding machine. The binding machine reactivates the glue in the spine of the books and helps to ensure that the book block is securely fastened to the cover.

In order to complete this process you simply take your brand new trade paperback books out of the box and insert them directly into your thermal binding machine. Simply press the button to start the thermal binding cycle and approximately 45 seconds later the book will be done. When the binding machine beeps to let you know that the book has finished you simply take the book out of the machine and firmly tap the spine of the book onto a hard surface such as the counter. Tapping the spine of the book on the counter will help to ensure that the book block is fully seated into the still hot glue. Finally, you set your book in the cooling stand (or on your book cart) to cool. The glue will fully cure and harden in less than 15 minutes and the bind of the book will be considerably improved.

For best results most users should use a thermal binding machine with a 2″ throat that will accommodate most paperback books (many thermal binding machines only have a 1″ throat). Additionally, choosing a thermal binding machine with all metal construction and heavy duty heating elements will help ensure that the machine will last for years in even the largest libraries. Most thermal binding machines are just a little bit larger than a toaster (so it won’t take up a lot of counter space), and require no maintenance.

In addition to extending the life of your trade paperback books, your thermal binding machine can also be used to repair damaged books making it even more useful for use in both small and large libraries. Check out our other article on repairing books using your thermal binding machine. Plus, if you are part of a school library the binding machine can even be used to bind your own school yearbooks when used along with thermal hard cover cases and a hard cover crimper.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, binding supplies, laminators and more.

Getting a new Website noticed or generating more traffic to an existing site often leads webmasters to use free directory linking. With free directory linking, your site can be added to a directory simply by submitting your link and a brief topic description for your website. There are several different kinds of free directory links, and they can all have a particular effect on your site’s traffic.

General Directory Links

Free directory links are popular, especially for new Web sites trying to get established. Though general free directory links aren’t harmful to a site’s page ranking, they usually don’t drive a lot of traffic your way, either. They can be useful to simply get your link out there and you may get a few hundred hits from listing your link in a free directory.

Niche Directories

In general, niche directories are far more useful than general free directory linking sites. Niche directories target one specific topic, so anyone looking for information on your topic will be able to see the link and visit your site. This is most useful for building traffic to your site, as the users who follow a link from a niche directory are specifically looking for the type of information you’re providing.

Quality Not Quantity

The value of free directory links is only as good as the directories you submit to. Submitting your link to hundreds of free directory linking sites isn’t the best way to get more traffic on your site. Your time would be more wisely spent finding a few high quality directories or niche directories that match your topic.

Directories that are edited by people rather than automatically added to a list are generally more useful. Dmoz is one such site. Dmoz is highly respected, hand-edited, and it is the largest open directory of its kind. A link posted on Dmoz will increase your traffic flow. The only drawback is that it can take a long time for your link to be accepted and added and not all submissions are approved.

The Value of Reciprocal Linking

Some free directory linking sites request a reciprocal link. However, adding a lot of useless links to your site can damage your credibility and lower your page rank. Your goal should be to have more links from high quality sites, preferably ones that relate to your content.

Avoid adding your link to free directory sites that ask for reciprocal links. It may be tempting to build traffic that way, but a better option is to seek sites with a topic and content similar to yours to link to. Most site owners are open to the idea of reciprocal linking because it will serve to benefit both of you.

Search Engine People provides quality Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing solutions that meet your business’s goals.
http://www.searchenginepeople.com/

For years, GBC / Ibico has made some of the best school laminators on the market. However, for customers looking to replace their existing GBC or Ibico Laminator the difference between the GBC Ultima 65 and the GBC HeatSeal H800Pro Roll laminator may not be completely apparent. These machines look very similar and are priced approximately the same which can sometimes lead to a lot of confusion. However, the GBC HeatSeal Ultima 65 is the better machine for most users. Here is why.

1. The GBC Ultima 65 uses a heated roller technology which is the most common technology used in school laminators. Chances are, if you have used a laminator in a school or print shop before you have used a heated roller laminator. On the other hand, the GBC H800pro laminator uses a heat shoe technology. Although both technologies have their places, most individuals find the heated roller technology more user friendly for loading film and for regular use. The vast majority of laminators used in schools use heated roller technology.

2. The heated roller technology used by the GBC Ultima 65 provides more heat than the heat shoe technology used by the GBC H800pro. For this reason, the GBC H800pro CAN NOT be used with standard GBC laminating films (NAP 1). Instead, the H800 requires the use of more expensive NAP II Low Melt laminating films. Since these laminating rolls are considerably more expensive than the standard laminating films available from GBC supply costs with the GBC H800pro are going to be quite a bit higher than with the GBC Ultima 65.

3. The Ultima 65 is the most common laminator found in schools across the country. It is not only available for a great price but it is simple to use, easy to maintain and incredibly reliable. Down the road, support for the Ultima 65 is going to be cheaper, parts are more readily available and the laminator is easier to use than the H800pro. Thus, the long term costs of owning the Ultima 65 should be significantly less than owning the GBC HeatSeal H800pro.

After taking these three factors into consideration along with the fact that the GBC Ultima 65 is usually priced approximately the same as the GBC HeatSeal H800pro the choice to select the Ultima65 should be simple. This being said, some users prefer a heat shoe laminator over a heated roll laminator and choose the H800pro.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He is an expert on laminators, laminating pouches and more.

Plastic comb bindings, also called GBC binding, is the most common of the punch and bind styles. It is a relatively easy process and is basically the same for most all manual comb binding machines. Electric comb bind machines are similar, but simply have push button controls rather than a lever.

1. Select the proper size of comb
-Most providers of plastic combs will be able to give an estimation of the size based on the count of sheets of paper and covers.
-A comb that is too small will hinder both the durability and usability of the document as pages will not turn freely and could ultimately rip.
-Comb bind spines that are too large will look awkward and will not function as well as a properly fitted binding.
-Appearance is perhaps the best way to judge the size of a comb.

2. Place the comb on the comb binder so that it opens
-Place the solid spine of the comb on the binding opener from the back side so the loops are in between the fingers of the comb binding opener.
-Make sure that the comb binding will open up rather than down.

3. Depending on the system: push or pull the lever to open the comb binding
-Most systems have a single lever that will operate the punch by pulling forward and the comb opener by pushing back
-Electric punches and some manual systems will have a separate that will usually be pulled toward the operator to open the combs.
-Opening the comb too far will cause the binding to snap shut and possibly fly off the system.

4. “Hang” the front binding cover face down, followed by the contents of the document, and finish with the back cover
-It is very common for plastic comb bound documents to have oversized covers which are easier to hang alone.
-The contents of the document can be hung in sections. For larger documents, it may be necessary to close the comb incrementally.
-For best appearance, start with the front of the document and place the document on the comb binding face down. (This will ensure that the seam of the comb binding is on the back side of the document).

5. Replace the lever into the center or resting position to close the comb binding, and lift the book off the comb opener to remove the document. Make sure that your pages turn freely and that it is assembled correctly and your proposal is done.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, laminators, binding supplies and more.

Comb binding provides an open-flat/lay-flat, updatable and reusable binding method. Strip binding and Thermal Binding offer the ultimate in image and security for confidential documents. However, the market is always searching for new ideas and it responded by offering two different finishes that are as attractive and professional as Strip Binding, Comb Binding and Thermal Binding, yet provide different characteristics. Wire binding and plastic coil binding bring new important features to the table making them better suited for certain applications.

Wire binding creates a high tech look of professional quality. The metal loops encircle the document, and crimp together to provide a secure bind for few or many pages. Opened documents lay flat for easy reading and writing, and pages can wrap around without impairment, making Wire an ideal choice for revenue generating proposals, working documents or reference materials.

Wire binding supplies are available in two different punch patterns (pitches):

-3:1 (3 holes per inch) for documents from 1/16″ through 1/2″
-2:1 (2 holes per inch) for documents from 9/16″ through 1-1/8″

To determine the number of loops per element, multiply the pitch by the binding edge length and subtract “1″:

-A 3:1 element for an 11″ document has 32 loops (3 x 11 = 33 - 1 = 32)
-A 2:1 element for an 11″ document has 21 loops (2 x 11 = 22 - 1 = 21)

Plastic Coil binding provides a bright new trendy look for office documentation, while standing up to the rough treatment often given to packages sent via mail or messenger. The light weight sturdy plastic coil winds continuously around and through the pages of a document to hold them securely, and springs back into shape if crushed. Opened documents lay completely flat for working on spread sheets or reading. Pages can wrap around without impairment, making Plastic Coil an ideal choice for revenue generating documents, manual or reference materials.

Plastic coil is stocked in 4:1 pitch (4 holes to the inch), 3:1 pitch (3 holes to the inch) and 5:1 pitch (5 holes to the inch).
The most common pitch of spiral coil is 4:1 pitch which is used by more than 90% of the marketplace. Depending on the brand of 4:1 spiral coil binding machine that you have it may punch either 43 holes (true .250 pitch) or 44 holes (.2475 Pitch). Both of these hole patterns use the same standard 4:1 supplies, however, the 44 hole pattern is designed to help with better placement of the holes on 11″ documents.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding supplies, binding covers, 3-ring binders and more.

One of the most difficult decisions to make when choosing a shredder is the decision between a strip cut sthredder and a cross cut shredder. The specifications of these types of shredders often seem so different and it can be hard to sort out the differences. Here is a quick list of things to consider when choosing between these two different types of shredders.

1. Bag Changes: Cross Cut or Confetti Cut shredders cut documents into much smaller pieces making it possible to go as much as two to three times as long between shredder bag changes. Less bag changes mean more productivity (plus, nobody likes to change the bag).

2. Speed and Productivity: Given the same sized motor a strip cut shredder will almost always be faster and able to shred more pieces of paper at a time than its Cross Cut counterpart. Since the paper is simply cut into strips instead of into small pieces, strip cut shredders are able to cut much faster than cross cut models.

3. Security: Cross cut or Confetti Cut shredders are far more secure than strip cut shredders. With new special computer programs it has become easier than ever to piece back together shredded documents. However, dealing with the confetti from a cross cut shredder can be a lot more difficult than the strips from a straight cut shredder. However, if you are extremely concerned about the safety of your shredded documents you might consider a high security NSA approved shredder or a DOD approved shredder.

4. Price: Generally speaking, you will pay about 10% more for a cross cut shredder than you will pay for the same shredder in a strip cut model. However, as was discussed above the cross cut model will have lower productivity and speed than the strip cut shredder. Often to get the same speed and shredding volume you will need to step up to the next model and you may end up spending as much as 25% more than the strip cut shredder you were looking at.

5. Maintenance: Since Cross Cut / Confetti Cut Shredders do a lot more cutting than strip cut shredders they need to be oiled more often than strip cut shredders. It is suggested that cross cut shredders be oiled after ever 1/2 hour of shredding and that strip cut shredders be oiled after every 1 hour of shredding time. The good news about this is that shredder oil is very inexpensive and regular oiling of both models will help ensure that your shredder will perform better and last longer.

When you are working to decide on a shredder these are five important factors to consider. After considering these factors, I tend to prefer a cross cut shredder. However, there are some applications where a strip cut shredder is a better choice.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on Paper Handling, Paper Shredders, Commercial Shredders and more.

If you have a GBC TL2900 wire closer (formerly the Ibico 340WB) you might be wondering how you can best use it to close the wire on your documents. Fortunately, using the TL2900 is actually quite easy. Here are some simple steps for binding documents with the this wire closer …

1. Select the appropriate size wire binding element for your document by either using the chart below, or using the Wire Size Guage Label on the TL2900 as a reference

2. Adjust the knob so that the desired size shows approximately in the center of the window. TIP: This is a starting point reference. It is best to make a test bind and adust the knob for your personal preference. To make the crimp tighter, turn the knob so that the number of moves toward you in the clear window. Slight adjustments may be necessary to achieve the perfect crimp. It is acceptable for the wire size to appear anywhere within the window.

3. Load the wire element onto the support hooks. TIP: Hold the wire loosely across the trips of your fingers, with the wide hooks facing downward. Orient with the left edge just touching the Edge Guide. Allow the wire to naturally find itself on the hooks with a dropping motion as you guide the wire up and over. Once you get the feel for this motion, you will be able to easily hang the wire onto the books.

4. Thread the document contents onto the hooks, oriented so that the first faces up. Then thread the front cover face up onto the wire document. Finally thread the back cover, inside up, onto the wire element. (As an alternative you may prefer to stack the entire document as per 5, 6, 7 above, and lay the whole document on the wire hooks at one time to show ease of operation - try working with the system both ways until you are comfortable with it.

5. Bring the clamp forward over the hooks.

6. Press and HOLD the two activation buttons on either side of the closer, until the LED’s indicate, “DONE”.

7. Push the clamp back.

8. Remove the bound document from the hooks by gently pulling upward on the document until the wire is out of the hooks. Do not pull forward on the book, as you may risk breaking the hook.

9. Flip the back cover around so that the wire seam is hidden between the last page and the back cover of the document.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, binding supplies, binding covers and more.

There is always a need for office supplies as daily business transactions require the use of paper, pen, pencils, staples, paper clips, tape rolls, fax paper, etc. Millions of office supply items are consumed daily in many offices all over the world. Office supplies are important to keep your office functioning.

Normally, the costs associated with the purchase of office supplies account for about 40% of operational expenses. Companies are failing to realize that they are actually spending more than what they really need to.

Superfluous office supplies expenses are a waste of the company’s hard earned money which in turn can decrease the company’s revenues. For any business, cutting on unnecessary expenses can save a lot of money. There are practical and effective ways to decrease office supplies expense and with each employee in the company contributing in their own little way, it will help reduce operational costs and increase revenues.

You can start by taking an inventory of the office supplies on hand and arranging them accordingly in designated areas for easy search and reach for the people who may be using them. Supplies that are rarely used can be stored in a supplies closet while those that are occasionally used can be stored on shelves.

Old supplies like binders, folders, etc. can be reused. Instead of buying a new set, try to salvage old supplies that could still be recycled.

Discounts and markdowns may be given by supply companies if you purchase supply items in bulk. If possible you can stock on a year’s supply of office supplies. If you cannot afford to purchase in bulk by yourself, you can gather friends and other colleagues’ orders to avail of a bulk order discount.

It is also important you know when to purchase items and when the slow or peak seasons are for such. Sales, discounts and rebates are usually offered by office supply stores during the summer season. It would be wise to stock on items especially when they are on sale.

There are also many online office supply stores that can give you discounts and unparalleled savings. You can always search on the best possible prices online. If you order online you save both money and time. Orders are conveniently delivered.

Maintain a master list of your office supplies and currently review them if certain supplies are running low. Review your office supplies expense monthly if possible and try to determine certain supplies that are unnecessary expenses.

James Brown writes about OfficeDepot.com coupon code, HP Small & Medium Business discount codes and iPrint.com online coupons

Perhaps you have recently purchased a thermal book binding machine or are thinking about experimenting with a thermal book binding machine. Either way, there are a few things that you can do to make thermal book binding a little bit easier and to ensure a better finished product. Here are a couple of things to remember:

1. Make sure that your thermal binding cover is properly sized for your document. If you try to fit too many pages into your cover you will find that the first and last pages will not bind securely. If you don’t have a cover that is the exact size for your proposal, it is best to go a little bit larger and not smaller.

2. Carefully square up your pages in your cover before book binding. Before putting your cover into the binding machine, fan out the pages in your document to be sure that none of the pages are stuck together. Then make sure that your pages are squared up neatly and that the front and back pages come in contact with the glue in the spine. If using a thermal cover with a clear front be especially careful with the front page of your document. Static electricity can sometimes cause the front page of the document to stick to the clear cover preventing it from coming into contact with the glue. Taking an extra moment at this point in the binding process will help to ensure that you have a better finished product.

3. After your book binding machine has finished its cycle take your document out and firmly tap the cover on a hard surface. This action will help to ensure that the pages are securely seated in the hot thermal glue and that the binding will be secure for years to come.

4. Be sure not to open the book until the document has completely cooled and the glue has set. This usually takes between three and five minutes and it is important that the book be given this time for the glue to harden so the binding will be secure.

5. Remember that you are not limited to binding one book at a time. Thermal book binding machines are able to bind multiple books at one time up to total capacity of your book binding machine. Binding multiple books at one time will help to increase productivity and get the job done faster.

6. If you are binding documents with high gloss paper or photo paper it is often best to staple the book block together before binding. If you do not staple the book block these glossy heavy papers can sometimes work themselves out of the binding. Stapling the book block will make it nearly impossible for a page to ever work its way out of your document. If you do not have a stapler that is large enough to staple the book block or don’t want to use staples you can try using a piece of sandpaper to roughen the edge of book block to help it adhere better to the glue.

Following these simple tips will ensure a better finished product and save you time and money. Thermal book binding is the fastest book binding method available and when done right provides a finished product that is professional and will make the impression that you want.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, binding covers, 3-ring binders and more.

I often receive calls from customers asking me to help them decide which comb binding machine would best suit their needs. With dozens of combbind machines available from manufacturers such as GBC / Ibico, Akiles, Tamerica, Renz and Rhin-O-Tuff, it can be hard to discern which binding machine will be the best fit for your binding needs. However, it is much easier to understand what machine might must be best once you decide which features might be important to you. Here is a quick rundown of some of the features that you might want to consider when looking for a comb binding machine:

1. Machine construction: One of the most important features to consider involves the construction of the machine. Many of the lower end binding machines are made of plastic. These machines are adequate for lower volume applications but may not hold up as well under heavy use. A Comb-Binding machine made of metal is always a good bet.

2. Electric vs. Manual: When deciding on a comb binding machine it is also important to make a decision between a manual punch vs. an electric punch. This decision will have a huge impact on the price range of the binding machines that you are looking at. However, most electric machines are better suited for higher volume applications and can save a significant amount of time over their manual binding machine counterparts. It is important to note that some smaller electric machines are available that are designed to make the punching process easier and do not increase production speed (the GBC C110e is an example of a lower volume electric punch).

3. Punching Capacity: Another third important feature to consider when choosing a comb binding machine is punching capacity. Some of the smaller comb binders have punching capacities as low as 6 sheets of 20lb bond paper. However, some modular electric binding punches can punch up to 50 sheets of 20lb bond per lift. Depending on the size of your books and the number of books you intend to bind, punching capacity can be very important. However, it is important to note that for the longevity of your machine, it is best not punch the full capacity listed in the manual. Furthermore, we find users are typically faster when punching a consistent number of sheets per punch, usually 15 to 20 sheets for our highest volume users.

4. Disengageable Dies: A fourth factor that is important to consider when choosing a comb machine is whether it includes disengageable dies. Comb binding machines with disengageable dies allow their user to disengage any one of the punching dies on the machine. By disengaging a die, it becomes possible to use your machine to bind documents that are smaller than 11″ in length. If you ever plan on binding documents that are shorter or longer than 11 inches, a machine with disegageable dies is essential.

5. Brand: When choosing a comb binding machine it is also really important to consider the manufacturer. GBC / Ibico is the largest name in the binding machine industry and make excellent binding machines. However, binding machines from Akiles, Tamerica, Renz and Rhin-O-Tuff are also excellent. Although other brands may also warrant consideration, these names are some of the best in the industry and their quality is exceptional.

6. Warranty: The final factor that is important for consideration when choosing a comb binding machine is its warranty. Warranties on binding equipment vary widely. However, if there is a problem with your binding machine it is important to have warranty protection. This is especially true for lower end manual comb machines which are most often more expensive to repair than to replace.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, laminators, binding supplies and more.