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One of the things that users like the most about GBC Velobind / SureBind strip binding systems is their security. Law offices, government agencies and accountants choose this binding style because it is permanent and tamper resistant. However, the security that these binding systems provide can become a problem if you ever need to add or delete pages from your document. For this reason, GBC has developed a Velobind / SureBind debinder tool. This specialized tool is equipped with a razor blade that helps you to safely remove the binding strips from your documents. Here are five simple steps to help you use your Velobind Debinder tool:

1. Place the document face down on a surface. The Velobind strip should be at your right with the formed rivet heads up.

2. Holding the document in place with the left hand and using the debinder with the right hand, insert the blade between the strip and the document cover. Make certain that the Debinder tool is snug against the right edge of the document to provide shearing leverage. Pull the Velobind Debinder tool towards you until it contacts the first stud.

3. With the debindder snug against the right side of the document and continuing to pull towards you, swing the handle of the Debinder to the right, away from the document. This automatically shears the first stud.

4. Move the Debinder to the next stud, swing to shear, pull to the next stud, swing to shear, pull to the next stud and so on. For rapid debinding, the Debinder can be pulled toward the user in one continuous motion after the first stud has been sheared. This does require a fairly strong hand, and extreme caution should be used with this method to avoid tearing the coverstock.

5. Remove the plastic strips, and debinding is complete. If you need to rebind the document you will need to use a new binding strip since the old one has been cut.

Attempting to Debind GBC Velobind and Surebind documents without the GBC Velobind Debinder tool can be very dangerous because such a sharp blade is required. If you have a Velobind machine you should definitely consider owning a Debinder tool for your office. However, it is important to note that this tool is not designed for use with 4 pin or 6 pin Velobind Strips which are Recloseable and can be reused.

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

Color coil binding (also known as Spiral, CoilBind, plastic coil binding) is one of the most popular and fastest growing of all binding styles. Documents bound in this manner lay flat and the pages can turn 360 degrees around the flexible pvc spine. Coil binding is fast and easy, and offers a wide variety of colors to choose from.

1. Select the proper size of color coil element
- As with other spiral coil styles, your provider should be able to give you suggestions for the appropriate size of coil to match your document.
- It is important to not use a coil binding that is too small for your document as production time, appearance, and the functionality of the document will be greatly affected.
- Appearance is always a good indicator of the fit.
- Coil is available in a variety of pitches; make sure to match your pitch to your punch.
- The most common pitch is 4:1 (or 4 holes per inch)
- Also available is 5:1 and 6mm, 3:1 is a much less common pitch

2. Starting the Color Coil Binding
- Many spiral binding machines have a spine forming channel, this is a useful feature to help create the contours to aid in the initial insertion of the spiral coil.
- Begin to spin the coil onto the punched document by hand. It is a good idea to spin the binding on at least an inch.
- After the binding is started, hold it near the rubber rollers. Apply gentle pressure to the coil binding against the roller.

3. Crimping the spiral element
- When the coil is spun onto the document, the excess element needs to be cut and crimped using cut and crimp pliers.
- When using the cut/crimp pliers, always use them in your right hand with your thumb next to the red dot.
- Make sure that the prongs on the cut/crimp pliers are in contact with the coil and squeeze. This will cut of the excess and fold the coil binding over to keep it from uncoiling.

Trouble shooting:

The Spiral coil is not inserting into the document
- Make sure that the pitch of the binding supplies matches the pitch of the holes.
- The Coil is too small for document.
- Large diameter coil bindings (such as 1″ and above) are difficult to insert in the best of conditions. Try an oval hole punch.
Coil binding not folding over when cut
- Make sure that the cut/crimp pliers are in your right hand with the dot facing up. If not the pliers will cut and crimp the section of coil binding that you want to cut off!
- Make sure that both of the prongs of the cut/crimp pliers make contact with the coil binding. This can be somewhat difficult on 6mm and 7mm coil bindings due to the small diameter.

Notes and suggestions:

- Auto cutter/crimpers are available in single or double configurations. They can be tedious to set up, but save a lot of time for longer production runs.

-If possible, do not use coil bindings for documents over 1″ thick. The document does not function the way that coil binding is intended to. The increased thickness of the binding and the weight of the book cause the pages not turn as freely.

-Another common configuration of a coil binding inserter is a wheel. The wheel can be faster for experienced users, but it is more difficult to learn.
Smaller volume users typically have more success with the roller style of inserter.

-Coil binding is sold by the inch, so it is possible to get coil binding in 9″ lengths for top spines and eliminate waste, or 18″ lengths for 11 x 17 documents.

-Coil binding is the best method of binding when you have non-standard spine size needs.

-Coil binding is available in over 60 colors, by far the most of any binding style

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.

The distinctive look of GBC / Ibico Strip Binding has made it one of the most sought after binding methods. This unique method of securing loose pages enables the user to present a prestigious image with either elegant soft covers or boardroom quality hard covers. The temper resistant “hot knife” process heat seals and rivets the binding comb and receiving strip together, increasing the security of confidential documents so no unauthorized additions or deletions can be made. This binding method portrays an image of importance, which assures it will be read and acted upon. In addition, it provides the maximum in versatility in that only three different sized combs allow for binding documents from as few as two sheets to up to 3″ of material. This reduces inventory requirements.

The cover supplies for GBC / Ibico strip binding systems range from economical “smooth” paper stock to high image, coated “regency” paper stock and boardroom quality Velobind / SureBind Hardcases.

Pick up a Velobind comb (that’s the one with the pins). Notice the comb has ten pins and the Velobind has eleven pins. These pins are fed through holes in the document to be bound and into the receiving strip where the unused portion of the comb is severed and the heating mechanism heat seals it to form a rivet. The comb also has a pin that is longer than the others. This will be discussed in the equipment operating section.

Pick up both styles of receiving strips, and look at the grainy (textured) side of the strip. This side should always be placed so that it will appear on the outside of the back cover of the document. This gives the document a finished appearance. Turn the perforated strip over, and look at the inside. Notice the Velobind strip has thirteen holes. The two small holes at either end are “locator” holes, which are used to align the strip on the VeloBind unit during binding. The other eleven holes match the pins of the comb strip. The strip has one locator pin and ten comb pin holes. Place the comb strip and receiving strip together to see how they fit.

Strip Binding is available in comb thicknesses for documents 1″, 2″ and 3″ thick. They are available in stock lengths to fit documents with binding edges of 8-1/2″, 11″ and 14″.

SureBind strips are manufactured on GBC / Ibico 19 ring Plastic Binding centers, which means that a document that has been punched with 19-holes can be bound using a strip.

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

Lamination is the perfect solution for protecting your documents from becoming damaged. However, sometimes it would be really nice to be able to write on your laminated documents. This can be difficult since the glossy finish that you get with most laminating pouches isn’t usually writable. To solve this problem, matte laminating pouches can be used allowing you to write on the finished surface with a regular ball point pen.

Matte laminating pouches provide the best of both worlds. You get the protection that comes from regular laminating pouches and you get an elegant writable surface on the finished product. Generally speaking, matte laminating pouches are available in two different styles.

1. Matte / Matte laminating pouches provide a soft non glossy writable coating on both sides of your document. Matte Matte laminating pouches are ideal for signs that are posted in sunlight since they won’t have the glare that comes with glossy pouches. These pouches are also ideal for providing an elegant finish on business cards or other marketing materials.

2. Matte / Clear pouches have a traditional glossy coating on one side (non-writable) and a writeable matte coating on the other side. Matte Clear pouches are ideal for documents such as sales flyers or presentation materials where you want the finished gloss look for the customer to see but where you need the ability to write on the back of the document.

Writeable pouches are also ideal for business cards or other materials where you might want to leave your customers with your phone number, email address, or website URL. With matte laminating pouches you can have the rigidity that you get with normal pouches but you can also easily write this information for your customers to have for later. For sales people this is ideal.

Matte Matte and Matte Clear pouches are available in a number of different sizes including: credit card size, business card size, note card size, file card size, luggage tag size, military size, drivers license size, letter size, and menu size. These pouches are available in a 5mil thickness (5mil on each side) for laminating documents that need protection but are still flexible. Pouches are also available in a 10mil thickness (10mil on each side) for documents that require extra rigidity such as signs, point of purchase displays and materials that will be handled with regularity. Both thicknesses have the same matte properties some are just heavier than the others.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written numerous articles on laminators, laminating pouches, laminating supplies and more.

I will often have customers call me to ask whether you can run Unibind covers in a thermal binding machine and whether you can run thermabind covers in a Unibind machine. Unfortunately, thermal machines simply do not get hot enough to properly activate the glue in a Unibind cover. However, it is possible to use your Unibind machine along with thermal covers or with covers that you have created yourself with thermal glue strips. Here is how:

Every new Unibind binding machine is shipped with a small metal washer that was used to test the machine. Some people have suggested that you use this washer to activate your Unibind machine when binding a thermal binding cover. However, in my opinion this is not safe. The metal washer will become extremely hot and can be extremely dangerous to handle. This is especially true since you will have to remove and replace the washer to reactivate the machine.

Instead of using a washer, why not simply use a Unibind cover that you have laying around. Chances are, you probably have a presentation bound with Unibind that you don’t need any more . Or you can just have us send you a sample Unibind cover with your thermal covers.

Once you have your Unibind cover simply insert it into the Unibind machine along with your thermal cover and the Unibind cover will activate the heating element on the Unibind machine. Simply let the Unibind machine go through its heating cycle and then move the documents over to the cooling compartment (it is always a good idea to drop thermal bound documents on the table once while they are still hot to ensure the pages are securely seated in the glue).

You don’t even have to wait for the Unibind cover to cool to use it again. Simply place the cover back into the heating compartment along with another thermal cover and you can repeat the process. It is as easy as that.

Using this concept it is possible to use your Unibind machine to create all sorts of documents, presentations, proposals and books with the look and feel that you want. Using thermal glue strips you can create magazines, short run perfect bound books or high end proposals. You can even use standard thermal binding covers with a linen paper spine and a clear front to add a different look and feel to your documents. Try it out today.

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.

Hardcases have an elegant texture and design, to provide the impressive appearance of a casebound book. One option for achieving this elegant and impressive look is by using your GBC Velobind binding machine along with Velobind hardcases. Velobind hardcases are available in five standard thicknesses from 1/4″ up to 1-3/8″. If you look at a Velobind Hardcase, you will notice the following features:

1. The inside cover is marked with a letter (A, B, C, D or E). This letter designates the size (thickness) of document that particular hardcase will accommodate. The benefit to the customer is that they will always know what thickness hardcase they have, even if it is not in the original carton.

2. Two end sheets (fly sheets are used with each hardcase (they are packed separate in the carton containing the hardcases). These end sheets are adhesive backed, and are to be bound with the document being inserted into the hardcase. These sheets will adhere to the inside of the front and back hardcover.

Hold an end sheet so that the folded tear-off sheet faces you. Notice that there is a portion of the sheet which is exposed just opposite the fold. This “lip” is the area that will be punched in the binding process.

3. The backbone of the hardcase is made with “softfoam” adhesive spine. Lift the paper backing up slightly on the backbone (do not remove it at this time) to see the adhesive. The adhesive foam helps hold the document to the hardcase during the binding process.

Once you have the document that you need to bind in hand you need to choose the size of hardcase that is appropriate for that document. In order to determine what letter size of case you need for your document you can refer to the chart on the Backstop of the Velobind or Surebind system three pro. Take your hardcase and open it up to check what letter is stamped on it.

Place on end sheet on top of the document and one on the bottom (where you would normally place the binding covers). The folded tear off sheet should face the hardcase, itself. Also, the lip should be on the edge to be bound.

Punch the document, including the end sheets. Bind the document like any other Velobind Or SureBind bound book (the end sheets will act as covers) using a standard Velobind HotKnife Strip. Now your document is ready to be bound into the hardcase.

Take the hardcase, open it and lay it on the table (inside up). Take the document to be bound and lay it on the table. Remove the protective strip from the backbone to expose the adhesive. Take your bound document, and center the document on the back cover of the hardcase, pressing the strip portion into the backbone adhesive. If the book is not centered, carefully pick it up, and realign till centered. Fold the front cover over the top of the document, making sure that the hard case front cover and back cover are in alignment. If not, repeat process till centered. You can move the document as many times as necessary until you have pulled the fly sheets - then it is permanently bound.

If you are right handed, use your left hand to place it firmly on the top of the document where the strip is (you will want to keep it from moving within the hardcase). Then, take your right hand and reach under the inside of the front cover until you can grip the foldback sheet of the end paper. Gently pull up on it, letting the hard cover fall on the adhesive-coated end paper. Repeat this process for the back cover. One the tear-off sheet is completely out of the book, press down completely over the entire front and back cover make sure all the adhesive is adhered to the case.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written numerous articles on binding machines, supplies and many more topics concerning binding equipment.

When binding hard back books with a thermal binding machine the final step is to place the cover into the crimper and tighten it down. Although this step is unnecessary when using standard thermal binding covers, it is very important when binding hard cover books. The hard back book crimper accomplishes several important tasks that are essential in providing a high quality finished book. Specifically, the crimper is designed to do three primary things:

1. The Hard Cover Crimper helps to ensure that the pages of your hard bound book are securely bound into the book. Immediately after removing your book from your thermal binding machine, place it in the bindit hard back book crimper. At this point the glue is still hot and pliable and process of crimping helps to force the glue up into the base of your book block ensuring a strong and permanent bind while securely holding the pages in place. If you don’t use a crimper the pages may fall out of your hard cover books after some use.

2. The hard back book crimper is designed to properly form the spine of the hard cover book. If you look at a finished product you will notice that at the base of the spine there is an indented area that serves as a hinge allowing your book to open and close easily. The crimper takes your book while it is still hot and properly forms the spine, giving it a finished look and ensuring that your cover operates correctly.

3. The crimper is also designed to act as a cooling rack for your thermal hard bound books. This gives users a place to safely allow the hot spine to cool while ensuring that the book has enough support along the spine to achieve a superior bind.

Currently, there are two types of hard cover crimpers. A Manual Hard Cover Crimper simply uses a lever and some muscles to tighten the grip on the spine. However, a recently released pneumatic version of the hard cover crimper is designed to provide a more accurate and faster crimp for high volume users. The Pneumatic hard cover crimper uses a small air compressor to provide the power for crimping and works by simply hitting a switch.

In the absence of a hard cover crimper I have seen some customers use an oven mitt to attempt to manually form the spine. It works, but it doesn’t look great and all of them have ended up buying a crimper in the end.

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.