This article provides six easy to follow steps on how to bind a document using a plastic comb binding machine. 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.
Binding a Plastic Comb Document
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 binding machines are similar, but simply have push button controls rather
than a lever.
Select the proper size of comb binding element
Most providers of plastic comb bindings will be able to give an estimation
of the proper comb binding size based on the count of sheets of paper
and covers.
A comb binding 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 bindings that are too large will look awkward and will not function
as well as a properly fitted comb binding.
Appearance is perhaps the best way to judge the size of a comb binding.
Place the comb on the comb binder so that it opens
Place the solid spine of the comb binding on the comb 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.
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 binding opener by pushing back
Electric punches and some manual systems will have a separate comb
binding lever that will usually be pulled toward the operator.
Opening the comb binding too far will cause the comb binding to snap
shut and possibly fly off the system.
‘Hang’ thefront 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 binding 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).
Replace the lever into the center or resting position to close
the comb binding, and remove the book.
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, laminators and binding supplies and more.
