A Velobind bind uses a matched front strip and back strip. The front strip has a row of plastic pins spaced to align with the punched holes in the document. The pages are collated with covers, placed between the strips so the pins pass through all the holes, and loaded into the machine. The machine presses the assembly together and applies heat to the tips of the pins on the back side, melting and mushrooming them against the back strip in the same way a rivet is set. The document is now permanently closed and cannot be opened without cutting the pin stems, which leaves visible damage on both strips.
Strips come in lengths sized to the number of pages being bound: shorter strips for thin documents, longer strips for thick ones. Selecting the correct strip length is the main sizing decision for Velobind supplies, since a strip that is too short will not cover all the pages and a strip that is too long will leave exposed pins that can snag on hands or clothing.
| Pin Fusion | Heat-fused pins, permanent tamper-evident bind | Mechanical grip teeth, reopenable for page editing |
| Best Use | Legal documents, contracts, filed records | Documents that may need pages added or removed |
| Security | High: tampering is visible on both strips | Lower: strip can be removed and rebound |
| Machine Required | Velobind machine with heat element | SureBind machine (compatible punch pattern) |
Velobind is the standard for documents where chain-of-custody integrity matters. SureBind is the right choice when the document may need to be updated after initial binding.
Select strip length based on document thickness, which determines how many pages the pins must pass through. Velobind strip lengths are labeled by the approximate page count they accommodate. For the most common office documents (up to about 250 pages), a standard-length strip covers the full range. Color selection is largely a matter of preference or color-coding by project or client. Confirm that the pin length on your strips matches the pin-length compatibility specification of your machine, since not all machines accept all pin lengths.
Velobind supplies are used exclusively with Velobind-compatible machines. For machines that also punch and trim the strip ends in one operation, see our 4-pin Velobind binding machines. For safely removing Velobind strips without damaging pages, see our Velobind debinder tools. For background on the Velobind system, see our knowledge base guide on Velobind binding.
| Velobind strips in multiple colors and lengths in stock | GBC Velobind front and back strips and replacement pin sets ready to ship. |
| Sizing guidance before you order | Our team will help you confirm the right strip length and pin length for your machine and document thickness. |
| Free shipping at $75 | Qualifying orders of $75 or more ship free within the continental U.S. |
| Complete Velobind system | We carry Velobind machines, strips, debinders, and covers under one roof. |
| Easy Returns | MyBinding.com offers easy returns on most items. Contact our team at (800) 944-4573 to arrange a return. |
Need installation or operating instructions? Browse our product manuals page.