How to Use Your GBC SureBind System With Plastic Comb Binding Punch?

The GBC SureBind system is a flat-spine strip binding method that produces professionally published book-quality documents with a re-openable mechanism. Some GBC SureBind machines include an integrated plastic comb binding punch, creating a dual-function machine that can produce both flat-spine SureBind documents and standard 19-hole comb-punched documents from a single machine. Using this combination correctly requires understanding the different punching and binding modes.

What Is the GBC SureBind with Comb Punch Combination?

SureBind machines that include a comb punch are specifically designed for organizations that need both SureBind flat-spine binding for formal professional documents and standard plastic comb binding for re-editable everyday documents. The machine produces an 11-hole punch pattern for SureBind strips and a 19-hole rectangular punch pattern for binding combs — using the same machine for both patterns requires a mode switch or die change to select the correct punch configuration. Understanding which punch mode is active is essential: punching with the 11-hole SureBind pattern produces documents incompatible with 19-hole combs, and punching with the 19-hole comb pattern produces documents incompatible with SureBind strips.

How to Use Your GBC SureBind System With Plastic Comb Binding Punch

Step 1 - Confirm the Machine Configuration

Before punching any documents, confirm which punch configuration the GBC SureBind machine is currently set for. Dual-punch combination machines typically have a mode selector lever, a die swap mechanism, or a labeled selector that indicates which punch pattern is currently active. If the machine was last used in SureBind mode, the 11-hole die is active — switching to comb binding requires changing the die to the 19-hole rectangular configuration. Consult the machine manual for the specific die swap procedure for your model. Comb binding machines dedicated to comb binding do not require this mode selection step — the dual-function capability adds a setup requirement not present on single-function machines.

Step 2 - Select the Correct Punch Die for Comb Binding

To punch documents for plastic comb binding, the 19-hole rectangular die must be active in the machine. The 19-hole die produces the rectangular punch pattern that standard binding combs require. Switch the machine to comb punch mode following the manual procedure. On most GBC combination machines, the switch involves: (1) releasing the current die locking mechanism, (2) removing the SureBind 11-hole die set from the machine, (3) inserting the 19-hole comb die set, (4) locking the new die in position. Some combination machines use a rotating die block that switches mode with a lever rather than a physical die swap — confirm which configuration your specific machine uses.

Step 3 - Punch Documents for Comb Binding

With the 19-hole comb die active, punch the document pages following standard comb binding punch technique: set the depth guide to the correct binding margin, jog the page stack firmly at the punch edge, insert squarely into the punch slot, and apply a single complete punch stroke. Inspect the punched holes for completeness and alignment. Comb binding covers should also be punched in the comb die configuration — covers punched in the SureBind 11-hole die will not align with comb spines. Punch covers separately from interior pages at reduced stack size if the cover stock is heavy.

Step 4 - Open the Comb and Load Pages

After punching, insert the comb into the comb opener on the machine (GBC SureBind combination machines typically include a comb opener mechanism in addition to the punch mechanism). Open the comb by engaging the opener. Thread the punched pages onto the open comb rings from the front strip. Confirm all pages are fully seated on all 19 rings. Add the punched front and back covers last (front cover goes on first, back cover goes on last, in front-to-back reading order).

Step 5 - Close the Comb

Remove the comb from the opener by closing the opener lever while keeping the pages and comb positioned correctly. The comb rings close around the pages, holding them in the bound document. Inspect the finished document: open to several random pages and confirm the pages lie flat, all pages thread cleanly through all 19 rings, and the comb is fully closed with no rings left partially open.

Step 6 - Switching Back to SureBind Mode

After completing comb binding production, switch the machine back to SureBind mode if SureBind production is needed next. Reverse the die swap procedure: release the comb die locking mechanism, remove the 19-hole comb die, insert the SureBind 11-hole die, and lock in position. Confirm the machine is in SureBind mode before punching any documents intended for SureBind strips — a document punched in comb mode cannot be bound with SureBind strips. VeloBind machines and SureBind strips in the appropriate size should be staged before switching back to avoid delay once the mode change is complete. See What is the Difference Between VeloBind and SureBind? for the VeloBind vs SureBind system context.

Mode Switching Reference

Troubleshooting

Comb spines will not fit through the punched holes

The documents were punched in SureBind mode (11-hole) rather than comb mode (19-hole). SureBind round holes do not align with the rectangular comb binding pattern. Re-punch the documents in comb mode with a new page stack — the incorrectly punched pages cannot be converted.

The SureBind strips will not fit through the punched holes

The documents were punched in comb mode (19-hole) rather than SureBind mode (11-hole). The comb rectangular holes do not match the SureBind strip pin pattern. Re-punch in SureBind mode with a new page stack.

The die swap is difficult and the die does not seat firmly

The die channel may have paper fiber buildup preventing clean die seating. Clean the die channel with compressed air before attempting the die swap. Do not force the die — a die that requires significant force to seat is likely misaligned or has debris preventing correct positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any standard 19-hole comb binding combs with the GBC SureBind combination machine?

Yes. When the machine is set to 19-hole comb mode, documents are punched with the standard rectangular hole pattern compatible with any standard 19-hole binding comb from any manufacturer.

Do I need different machine settings for comb binding vs SureBind?

The punch mechanism operates at the same settings for both modes — the difference is only in the die configuration. Depth guide settings may need adjustment if switching between document formats with different binding margins.

Can the GBC SureBind machine punch coated paper for comb binding?

Yes. The punch mechanism operates on paper surface regardless of coating. Coated paper punches identically to uncoated paper in a comb binding punch. The coating is only a factor for adhesive binding (thermal and SureBind strip adhesion), not punch-through binding.

Is the comb opener on combination machines the same quality as dedicated comb openers?

Comb openers on combination machines are designed for the comb diameters within standard binding range. For very large diameter combs (1.5 inch and above), a dedicated comb binding machine with a full-range opener mechanism may provide better opening force and consistency.

How long does the die swap take on a GBC SureBind combination machine?

An experienced operator performing a die swap on a GBC SureBind combination machine typically completes the process in 2 to 4 minutes. The first few swaps take longer as the operator learns the procedure. After 10 to 15 repetitions, the swap becomes a routine 2-minute operation.

The GBC SureBind combination machine with comb punch is designed for organizations that genuinely need both binding formats — professional flat-spine SureBind for formal documents and re-editable comb binding for working documents. Organizations that use only one binding method will find a single-function dedicated machine simpler to operate and maintain than a dual-function combination machine.

Before investing in a combination machine, evaluate honestly whether both binding formats are regularly needed in the same location. If SureBind binding is used primarily in one department and comb binding is used in another, two dedicated single-function machines (one per department) may serve both needs more effectively than one combination machine shared across departments. Die swap frequency is the key metric: if the die switch would occur fewer than twice per week, the combination machine provides its efficiency benefit; if it would need to switch more frequently, the setup time of repeated die swaps may offset the cost savings of the single-machine approach.

The GBC SureBind combination machine represents a practical solution for organizations that need binding format flexibility from a single machine investment. With practice, the die-switching workflow becomes fast and reliable, providing dual-format professional binding capability that two separate machines would otherwise require.

Mastering the GBC SureBind combination machine opens binding format flexibility that serves both formal document needs and everyday re-editable document production from a single desktop investment.