Tips and Tricks for Binding with Screw Posts

If you're looking for a very easy way to bind your documents, you should consider using screw posts. These supplies (sometimes referred to as Chicago screws) are simply document fasteners made out of metal. You stick them through holes in your documents, secure them, and all of a sudden your work is bound and ready to go. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to make using screw posts as easy as possible:

• If you want to work with screw posts, you can punch holes in your document with a standard three-hole punch. These devices tend to produce 1/4” holes that are long enough for the screws. If you're going to be processing a lot of paper on a regular basis, you might opt for a paper drill as opposed to a hole punch. These devices can punch holes in hundreds of sheets at once.
• Most screw posts are plain aluminum. However, there are posts available in other finishes such as steel, brass, black, and even gold. While these screws can look great, it's important to realize that they're usually just aluminum posts that have been painted and thus, might not be very durable. Steel screw posts are the strongest available if durability is important to you.
• Screw posts come in a variety of sizes ranging from 1/8” to 6”. You can also buy extensions if your documents are thicker than 6”. That makes screw posts some of the best materials for binding long documents and archival materials.
• If you need to work with non-paper materials, screw posts can definitely come in handy. These supplies are often used to bind documents with leather covers such as menus and photo albums. If you use gold or brass screws for this application, you can be sure your documents will look fantastic.
• Finally, it's important to note that a screw's length doesn't include the heads on either side. For example, a 2” screw post is meant to bind a 2-inch document. Be sure to choose screw posts that are the right length so your documents will look their best.

Hopefully these tips and tricks will come in handy the next time you bind your documents with screw posts. Good luck with your projects and be sure to get in touch with us if you have any questions. Happy binding!

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Written by Jeff McRitchie
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