The new GBC P75 Proclick finisher is designed
to help improve productivity allowing users to quickly and easily bind
documents using Proclick binding spines. The P75 is actually very easy to use. You
simply thread the punched pages of your document onto the spine and
then insert the spine into the throat of the machine. There is a large
knob on the side of the machine. You simply turn the knob and it
squeezes the spine closed. In my testing, I was able to bind documents
almost twice as fast using the P75 as I was with the zipper tool
included in my box of proclick spines.
Overview:
The
new GBC P75 Proclick finisher is designed to help improve productivity
allowing users to quickly and easily bind documents using Proclick
binding spines.
Proclick spines are available in four different colors
(Black, Navy, Frost and White) and in three different sizes (5/16",
1/2" and 5/8"). The P75 is designed to work with all of these spines.
Proclick binding spines were originally designed to be
closed using a small zipper tool. However, most users have discovered
that the zipper tool is difficult to use and the spines need to be
closed by hand. The Proclick P200 has a built in spine closer, however
it does not work very well either. This machine is designed to help
Proclick users to improve the binding process and save time.
However, it is important to note that the P75 is not a
binding punch. It is designed for users who already have a Proclick
binding machine or for individuals who choose to buy pre-punched paper
and covers.
Strengths / Features:
The
P75 is actually very easy to use. You simply thread the punched pages
of your document onto the spine and then insert the spine into the
throat of the machine. There is a large knob on the side of the
machine. You simply turn the knob and it squeezes the spine closed. In
my testing, I was able to bind documents almost twice as fast using the
P75 as I was with the zipper tool included in my box of proclick
spines.
The machine has an extremely small footprint and an
interesting contemporary design. There is a translucent flip down lid
on the top of the machine and the whole unit is only eight inches deep.
This means that it won't take up a lot of room on the counter when it
is not in use.
Surprisingly, the P75 is actually fairly inexpensive.
Selling for around eighty dollars, this machine has a fair price tag
that makes it accessible for most organizations. It is nice to see a
reasonable price on a proprietary piece of equipment.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
Although
the P75 helps to save time when binding multiple documents. Users who
only need to bind a few documents at a time will most likely find that
it is still faster to bind their documents either by hand or using the
zipper tool. The most time savings will be realized when using the P75
in an assembly line fashion with one person punching or assembly and
another person closing the spines.
This machine is simple to use, small and had an
interesting look. However, it doesn't do anything to overcome the
limitations of Proclick binding. Proclick is only available in three
sizes and four colors. Users who need to bind documents larger than
5/8" thick or who need a special color of binding spine will want to
consider a different binding style.
As was mentioned before, this machine does not include a
punch. It will need to be combined with a Proclick P50, P110 or P210e
binding machine. Alternatively it can be used with 32 hole pre-punched
paper and covers.
Recommendation:
The new GBC Proclick P75 finisher is a great new machine that is offered at a price that is fair.
This machine is a good choice for users that are binding ten or more documents at one time using GBC proclick spines.
However, it is important to remember that this machine is
a companion item to a proclick or 3:1 pitch wire binding machine and is
not a complete binding system.
This review was written by Jeff McRitchie who is the director of marketing for Mybinding.com.
Jeff has written more than three hundred articles and more than two
hundred reviews on Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers,
3-Ring Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Supplies, Paper
Shredders and Paper Handling Equipment.