MyBinding Knowledge Base
How to Punch Holes in Your Documents
If you’re binding your documents, chances are you’re going to need to punch holes in them. Luckily, there are several ways to do this and some of them can help you save time. Check them out:
- Use a three-hole punch. One of the easiest ways to punch holes in your documents is by using a three-hole punch. Many three-hole punches are incredibly easy to use and tend to be affordable. There are even some devices that have adjustable punching heads so you can produce different hole patterns. Using a three-hole punch is the way to go when you want to store your work in three-ring binders.
- Use a paper drill. If you need to punch holes in large quantities of paper on a regular basis, using a paper drill is the way to go. A paper drill can work with hundreds of sheets at once, so it will help you save time. A lot of drills have just one spindle which means you can only drill one hole at a time. Luckily, there are drills with multiple spindles so you can punch all your holes at once.
- Use a binding machine. Many of today’s binding methods use supplies that demand holes be punched in your documents. These methods include plastic comb, coil, twin-loop wire spine, and VeloBind. Fortunately, many machines have the ability to punch the right hole pattern for that particular binding type so you can get everything done with just one device.
- Use a modular binding punch. For heavy-duty applications, using a modular binding punch is usually the best option. These machines can handle large amounts of paper so you can quickly prepare your documents. Modular binding punches can usually produce different hole patterns for three-hole binders, VeloBind machines, and coil, comb, and wire binding. Often modular binding punches are operated by foot pedals, so your hands will stay free as you work. This can increase your productivity.
No matter which device you choose to use when punching holes in your documents, it’s important to never exceed the unit’s punching capacity. For example, a small comb binding machine may only be able to punch up to 10 sheets at once. If you try to punch more than that, it will be difficult. It will also prematurely age the machine’s punching dies. The instruction manual will specify its limitation.
Lastly, if you think you’re only going to have a few documents to bind, you can use pre-punched paper. This eliminates the need for a special machine and it can help you save a lot of time. (This is always helpful when you’re working under a tight deadline.) Pre-punched paper comes with a variety of hole patterns, so it’s easy to find sheets that are compatible with your preferred binding supplies.
There are a number of ways to punch holes in your documents. The method you choose will depend on convenience, price, and the type of supplies you’re using. Choose the method that’s right for you so you can successfully bind your work.
< 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)
