Binding Documents Using GBC Velobind Hard Case Covers

Hardcases have an elegant texture and design, to provide the impressive appearance of a casebound book. One option for achieving this elegant and impressive look is by using your GBC Velobind binding machine along with Velobind hardcases. Velobind hardcases are available in five standard thicknesses from ¼” up to 1-3/8”. If you look at a Velobind Hardcase, you will notice the following features:

1. The inside cover is marked with a letter (A, B, C, D or E). This letter designates the size (thickness) of document that particular hardcase will accommodate. The benefit to the customer is that they will always know what thickness hardcase they have, even if it is not in the original carton.
   
2. Two end sheets (fly sheets are used with each hardcase (they are packed separate in the carton containing the hardcases). These end sheets are adhesive backed, and are to be bound with the document being inserted into the hardcase. These sheets will adhere to the inside of the front and back hardcover.

   Hold an end sheet so that the folded tear-off sheet faces you. Notice that there is a portion of the sheet which is exposed just opposite the fold. This “lip” is the area that will be punched in the binding process.

3. The backbone of the hardcase is made with “softfoam” adhesive spine. Lift the paper backing up slightly on the backbone (do not remove it at this time) to see the adhesive. The adhesive foam helps hold the document to the hardcase during the binding process.

Once you have the document that you need to bind in hand you need to choose the size of hardcase that is appropriate for that document. In order to determine what letter size of case you need for your document you can refer to the chart on the Backstop of the Velobind or Surebind system three pro. Take your hardcase and open it up to check what letter is stamped on it.

Place on end sheet on top of the document and one on the bottom (where you would normally place the binding covers). The folded tear off sheet should face the hardcase, itself. Also, the lip should be on the edge to be bound.

Punch the document, including the end sheets. Bind the document like any other Velobind Or SureBind bound book (the end sheets will act as covers) using a standard Velobind HotKnife Strip. Now your document is ready to be bound into the hardcase.

Take the hardcase, open it and lay it on the table (inside up). Take the document to be bound and lay it on the table. Remove the protective strip from the backbone to expose the adhesive. Take your bound document, and center the document on the back cover of the hardcase, pressing the strip portion into the backbone adhesive. If the book is not centered, carefully pick it up, and realign till centered. Fold the front cover over the top of the document, making sure that the hard case front cover and back cover are in alignment. If not, repeat process till centered. You can move the document as many times as necessary until you have pulled the fly sheets – then it is permanently bound.

If you are right handed, use your left hand to place it firmly on the top of the document where the strip is (you will want to keep it from moving within the hardcase). Then, take your right hand and reach under the inside of the front cover until you can grip the foldback sheet of the end paper. Gently pull up on it, letting the hard cover fall on the adhesive-coated end paper. Repeat this process for the back cover. One the tear-off sheet is completely out of the book, press down completely over the entire front and back cover make sure all the adhesive is adhered to the case.

Now you have a finished hardcase. If you have any difficulty doing this, review the material and give us a call with any questions. If you are looking for GBC Velobind hardcases, they are available from MyBinding.com as a special order item. Call for pricing and lead time.

If you have any other questions or comments about this article please feel free to
email us at sales@mybinding.com or call us at 1-800-944-4573

Some Information for This Article was Contributed by GBC Ibico (An Acco Brands Company) ©2007 www.MyBinding.com