subject: Five Options For Machineless Binding [print this page] There are times when you need to bind a book and you lack access to a binding machine. That could be because the machines are too expensive, yours is being repaired, or you're out of the office. In times like that, you need a good machineless binding method to help you achieve your goals. Here are five methods you can use to not only finish off your work, but save some time and money as well.
1.) Staplers. If you want the simplest, easiest, and cheapest way to put your book together, there's always the stapler. Just about everyone has one of these items at his/her disposal and they're a totally legitimate way to fasten a bunch of pages together. Of course, staplers won't give your document a super polished look, but if you're in a hurry and lack access to another binding method, go ahead and staple that book!
2.) Three-ring binders. Binders are another inexpensive way to bind your documents and they can be found just about everywhere. They're available in a variety of thicknesses and colors, and there are also specialty binders that are great for presentations and for use in hanging filing cabinets. Binders are also very easy to use, especially if you use pre-punched paper. Just make sure your pages and/or tabs are in the correct order, punch them if you need to, and insert them into the binder. Binders are especially good to use if you anticipate needing to make changes to your document at a later date.
3.) Screw posts. Binding screw posts are ideal for when you want your finished product to speak for itself and not have your readers be distracted by how your document was put together. These supplies, which are also known as Chicago Screws, can bind books up to 5 inches thick. You can use extensions if your book is even thicker than that. Screw posts are available in a variety of finishes, including brass, although aluminum is the most common. They're also a good method to use when cost is a consideration because a bag of 100 posts is very inexpensive.
4.) ProClick and ZipBind spines. GBC is a big name in the document finishing business and they're well-known for their high-quality plastic comb binding machines. However, if you want to bind with GBC, you don't need a machine. Just purchase some pre-punched paper and covers, as well as a box of the company's ProClick or ZipBind spines, and you can create your own booklet in a matter of minutes. These spines are easy to use and they can bind documents containing up to 125 sheets. The spines can also be re-opened if you need to edit your document later on.
5.) Report covers. Finally, if none of the aforementioned options appeal to you, there are report covers than contain binding bars. These covers are available in lots of different colors, are easy to use, and some are even transparent to give your document a really professional appearance. You can edit your document once it's in one of these covers and these supplies are usually pretty affordable.
As you can now see, owning an expensive machine isn't a prerequisite to creating your own professional-looking documents. When you choose one of the above methods, you'll save time and money, and still wind up with booklets of which you can be proud.
