A Step By Step Guide to Thermal Binding

So you have a thermal binding machine, now what? Whether you choose a Fellowes Helios, a ProBind model, or a machine from Unibind, operation is all very similar. If you have a few thermal binding covers, these instructions will guide you through the binding process. Or read this article and try your hand at binding a few documents later.

To start, make sure your binding machine is plugged in and turned on. Gather together a smaller thermal binding cover (¼" or less) and the papers you want to bind in it. Generally, the number of pages in your document will determine the correct size binding cover needed. Many binding machines offer a guide to help you choose the right cover size. If yours doesn't have this feature, you can easily measure yourself. Simply place everything that will go in the cover in a stack on a flat surface and use a ruler to measure. Select a cover that matches that measurement, going for the next largest if you are in between sizes.

Now for the binding process:

1. First, you'll want to fan the pages in order to reduce static electricity resulting from running through the copier or printer. You can practice this by grabbing a stack of paper and do the following:
   
   • Hold the sheets on both sides somewhat loosely.
   • Bend the sheets slightly, holding firmly with your thumbs while your fingers push up the middle to create an arc. Be sure the sheets cannot move.
   • While keeping pressure on the pages, straighten them back to flat. This action bows the sheets to allow some air space between the pages. You can now release the sheets and jog them on a flat surface. Remember that the binding edge is the most important side to be squarely jogged.

     This process is known as fanning the paper. Sometimes you may also want to press your thumb along the edge and move it down, causing the edges to separate. Either option will sufficiently fan the pages, though neither is necessary unless the paper has just come off the printer or copier, which leaves the pages full of static electricity.

2. Hold the binding cover slightly open, creating a "V" with the two sides. Tightly hold your jogged pages and place the binding edge into the cover. At this step, it is important to keep the pages straight and square. Center the sheets and place them on the adhesive spine. No sheets should stick up over the others; if you have uneven pages, take everything out of the cover, jog them again, and then replace them. Finally, close the cover around your document.
   
3. Now place your book into your thermal binding machine. The spine side should be in contact with the machine and the edge of the cover should align to the right. Most machines begin automatically and many can determine on their own the size of your document and therefore the appropriate length of binding time.
   
4. After the machine finishes the binding cycle, remove your new book and firmly tap the spine onto a table or flat surface to help set the adhesive, then set the document squarely on the cooling stand. Most thermal binding machines offer a place for fresh books to cool and this helps to keep the square backbone in place during curing. Proper cooling aids in creating a professional looking book.
   
5. Leave your project on the cooling stand for at least 3-5 minutes to give it enough time to cool and properly set. Thinner documents will require less time than thicker ones. Any cover will be at full strength once the spine is cool to the touch, about 15 minutes.
   

Following these steps will give you a general idea of how to use just about any thermal binding machine. Be sure to check out our other articles as well as your user's manual for machine-specific instructions.

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Some Information for This Article was Contributed by GBC Ibico (An Acco Brands Company)
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