MyBinding Knowledge Base
Who are the best manufacturers of binding machines
There are many different kind of offices machines that make life easier for millions of professionals all over the country. Whether it’s a computer or fax machine, photocopier or printer, office machines enable people to get their work done quickly. One type of office device that gets used frequently but is rarely discussed is the binding machine. Binding machines enable workers to produce professional-looking bound documents for a variety of different uses (i.e. meetings, sales materials, employee handbooks, etc.). There are different types of these devices available including plastic comb (one of the world’s most popular bookbinding methods), twin-loop wire, thermal, spiral, and so on. This Hub is about some of the most prominent binding machine manufacturers so you can become familiar with them and the types of products they make.
- Digital Finishing Group. This is a pretty new company that’s also known as DFG and they’ve been putting out some really terrific products such as the PC200, a color coil binding machine. All of DFG’s products are well-constructed and easy to use, so they’re great for both beginners and more experienced users.
- General Binding Corporation. In the binding machine world, GBC is the undisputed leader. This company got its start way back in the 1940’s and is currently based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. GBC produces various types of binding machines including VeloBind devices which utilize hot knife-technology to create securely bound documents. However, the company is most famous for their plastic comb binding machines. In fact, comb binding is sometimes referred to as GBC binding because of the numerous machines and supplies the company produces. Plastic comb binding is great for lots of different types of documents, plus it’s inexpensive and easy to do, hence its popularity. In addition to their comb binding machines, GBC makes twin-loop wire and spiral devices. They also offer a ProClick lineup of machines that are compatible with ProClick supplies. ProClick spines stand out because they can be re-opened so you can edit your documents at a later date. Since GBC makes so many different types of products, they’re definitely a go-to name for people interested in bookbinding.
- Fellowes. Fellowes is another company that’s been around for a long time, having been started by one Henry Fellowes in 1917. Initially, the company became famous for its high-quality Banker’s Boxes. Over the years, they’ve expanded their product lineup to include various office supplies (paper cutters, mousepads), laminators, paper shredders, and binding machines. Fellowes always seems to be putting out new devices such as the Helios 60, a thermal binder that can handle documents that are up to 600 pages long. The company makes a nice assortment of plastic comb and wire binding machines as well, and these machines have become a hit with offices across the country. Many of these devices have whimsical names such as the Starlet and the Galaxy, both of which are plastic comb binders. Fellowes also makes a terrific assortment of bookbinding supplies including wire spines and thermal covers.
- Fastback. Fastback binding machines are made by Powis Parker, a company that’s headquartered in Berkeley, California. Fastback devices can provide either tape or perfect binding, so you’ll be able to create high-quality documents that look like they could be sold in a bookstore. This company’s products include the Fastback 15xs which can bind a document in less than 40 seconds. It’s compatible with many of the supplies the company manufactures including their Perfectback strips which can be used to create paperback books. Fastback even makes a lineup of foil printers so you can give your documents a unique look. These machines, such as the FoilFast Printer, can print directly on to your documents which makes using them very convenient. Fastback machines deserve some consideration if you really want to impress your readers with professional-looking books.
- Rhin-O-Tuff. Durability is definitely a feature you should look for when choosing a binding machine. Rhin-O-Tuff, a manufacturer that’s based in Boise, Idaho, makes extremely durable machines that can stand the test of time. The products made by this company are great for busy workplaces that bind a lot of documents on a regular basis. Also, the machines tend to be modular so you can pick and choose different devices to make an entire binding system. While Rhin-O-Tuff doesn’t make thermal binders, it does make devices for just about every other binding method.
- Tamerica. If you want a binding machine of the highest quality, check out the products that are manufactured by Tamerica. This company has operating since 1985 and sells their products throughout the United States and even Latin America. Tamerica makes machines that can be used for a number of bookbinding methods including plastic comb, wire, and SecureBind which is essentially the same as VeloBind. The company even makes some modular products such as the Duramax, which is a modular punch with interchangeable punching dies.
- Unibind. If you’re interested in thermal binding, Unibind makes some machines you should definitely check out. Unibind is based in Europe and they make devices that can bind multiple documents at a time. For example, their XU338 can bind as many as 24 documents at a time. (There aren’t many machines capable of that.) The thing to keep in mind about Unibind devices is that they require you to use the company’s special binding covers and spines. That’s because the supplies have steel spines. When the spines come into contact with a machine’s magnetic heating element, the adhesive is activated, which ends up binding the document. The binding process is extremely quick – it only lasts for about a minute. Plus, all the supplies Unibind makes look great so you’ll be able to create documents that will impress just about everyone.
Those are a few of the top binding machine manufacturers that are currently operating. These companies make a terrific assortment of different binding machines from the ever popular plastic comb devices to Fastback binders that can produce bookstore-quality results. Most of these companies also produce binding supplies and there are even some that make general office goods. If you’re looking for a binding machine for your office, checking out the devices available from these companies is a great start. And if you’re not, hopefully this Hub gave you some interesting information about these manufacturers. Happy binding!
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
