Whether you are considering purchasing a
Thermal Binding Machine or already have one, if you don't know how to
use the machine it won't do you a lot of good. This article is designed to provide you with a simple step by step guide to binding documents with Thermal binding.
Whether you are considering purchasing a
Thermal Binding Machine or already have one, if you don't know how to
use the machine it won't do you a lot of good. Fortunately, binding
documents using a Thermal binding machine is one of the easiest methods
of binding. In fact, binding documents with this type of equipment is
much like using a toaster (just with a couple of twists). This article
is designed to provide you with a simple step by step guide to binding
documents with Thermal binding. Here it is...
The first step to binding your documents with a thermal
binding machine is to prepare your document. It is important that you
print and assemble your complete document before you start the binding
process. You will want to make sure that all of your pages are properly
collated and jogged together so that they are completely flush. If your
pages are not flush at this step then they will not be flush when you
complete the binding process.
The second step is to select
your thermal binding cover. Since Thermal Binding uses a one piece
presentation cover with glue down the spine, it is essential that you
choose the correct spine size for your thermal binding cover. When
choosing the spine thickness for your cover it is important that you
don't choose a spine that it too small or too large. If the spine is
too small the pages won't fit and will fall out. If the spine is too
large the extra space in the spine will look odd leaving you with a
less desirable bind. However, if you can't match the exact size of your
document, then you will need to make sure that you round up and not
down. It is always better to have too much space than not enough.
The third step in binding your documents with thermal binding is to
insert the pages of your document into your cover. This step is very
simple. However, it is very important that you ensure the pages of your
cover remain tight, flush and settle firmly into the spine. Every page
in the document needs to come into contact with the glue in the spine
of the book otherwise they might eventually fall out. Normally the
pages in the middle of your document are not a problem but at times the
pages from the front or back of the document can stick to the cover
because of static electricity. This is something to remember and to
check before proceeding to the next step.
The fourth step
is to start the binding process. Some thermal binding machines do not
require any warm up time while others require you to wait until the
machine has heated up. Either way, after your machine is ready the next
step is to place your document into the machine. After a minute or so,
the machine will indicate that the heating process is complete and your
document will be ready to remove.
The final step in binding
your document is to remove it from the binding machine and to allow it
to cool. However, after you remove the document from the machine and
before you place it in the cooling rack you should tap the spine of the
book on a table or a hard surface. It is important that you do this
while the spine is still hot so that the pages will settle further into
the spine glue. After you have tapped the spine on a hard surface you
will want to leave your document for fifteen minutes before using it.
This will ensure that the glue is fully cured and that your pages will
not fall out.
These five steps provide a simple step by step guide to binding a
document using a thermal binding system. However, one of the great
things about Thermal Binding is that it allows you to bind multiple
documents at one time. All you have to do is prepare your documents and
then insert multiple documents into your machine at one time. Really,
it is very simple and very fast. Try it for yourself.
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, binding covers, binding supplies,laminators,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,binders,index tabs, and shredders.
