The purpose of this article is to guide you on how to properly bind a document using a thermal binding machine.
The purpose of this article is to guide you on how to properly bind a document
using a Thermal Binding Machine such as the GBC T100 , Bindit Perfectbind II or the Coverbind 5000. If you have access to 5 or 6 thermal binding covers, follow through
these binding instructions. If not, read through the material and try binding
some documents later.
After ensuring that your machine is plugged in and turned on select a smaller thermal binding cover i.e. 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4" and the approximate
amount of paper needed to fit into the cover. In normal use, the operator will
have a document of x number of sheets, which will then determine
the proper size of thermal cover to use. The easiest way to do this is to place
the paper, indexes, etc. to be bound flat on a table and measure the thickness
of the stack with a ruler. Choose a cover that meets that measurement. i.e.
if you have a 1/4 stack of paper, you would use a 1/4" thermal binding
cover. If you are in between sizes, go to the next largest size.
To reduce static electricity that builds up between sheets run off a copier,
the paper to be bound needs to be fanned. Take a stack of paper, and practice
fanning using the following technique:
Grasp the sheets on both sides, holding them fairly loose.
Bend the sheets as in the following diagram. While bent, exert pressure
on the paper with your thumbs and fingers to gain a firm grip where the sheets
cannot move.
While maintaining pressure on the sheets, straighten out the stack
of paper. This will bow the sheets so that there is air space between sheets.
After air has been allowed into the sheets, release your grasp on the sheets
as you jog them onto a flat, level surface. This is called fanning the paper.
It is usually not necessary unless the paper has just come off a copier, where
the pages contain a large amount of static electricity.
Remember, it is the binding edge of the sheets which must be evenly
jogged for a secure bind.
Place the thermal binding cover in your left hand (if you are right handed),
and allow it to slightly fall open to create what looks like a wide V. Insert
the fanned sheets into your scored thermal binding cover (make sure that you
grasp the sheets tightly to maintain the uniform jogged edge). The sheets
should be centered within the cover and placed on the adhesive backbone. Close
the cover around the sheets. The first and last sheets should not stick up
higher than the other pages. If you have uneven pages, take all the sheets
out of the cover, rejog them and insert them back into the cover.
Next, place the document (spine side down) so the edge of the thermal cover
is at the right hand side of the binding slot. The binding machine should automatically start and depending on the size of your document
should determine the length of the bind time.
When you remove the bound document, tap the backbone on the table to help
set the adhesive, and set the document(s) on the Cooling Stand to maintain
the square backbone during curing. Make sure the document(s) are placed squarely
on the Cooling Stand so that the backbone remains square during the curing
process. This will provide the most professional looking finished product.
The document must cool before it can be used. It should remain on the stand
for 3 to 5 minues. This time period varies depending on the thickness of the
thermal binding cover. Obviously, a 1/16 thick document will cool faster
than a 2 document. Ultimately, any thermal cover, regardless of size, will have reached full binding strength once
the backbone is cool to the touch (approximately 15 minutes).
