MyBinding Knowledge Base
How to Bind a Hard Cover Book with Pro-Bind Tools?
This video shows a demonstration on how to use the Pro-Bind tools for the Hard Cover Thermal Binding.
Here is a transcript of this video:
Welcome to Pro-Bind. Today, we’re going to show you how to use Pro-Bind tools to bind a hard cover book. There are three crucial steps to remember while you bind – squaring the book, having the right cover size and building a proper hinge. Let’s look at those step by step. Built directly into the spine of the hard bound cover is an adhesive glue that will hold the book together. Your first step is to create a square and flat spine. You do this by creasing the spine all the way down one side and then the other. You’re looking to crease that nice and flat so the end result is a nice square finish. The next step is to load your book block into the cover. You want to be sure you have the proper cover size for your book. You want to be able to jog the pages into place so they fit perfectly within the margins and they have a nice parallel look, filling the cover but not overfilling it. This will get you a great bind. It’s now time to bind. Place the book down all the way into the throat of the Pro-Bind 2000. Slide the cover close and select hard cover. As soon as the short binding cycle is through, immediately put it inside the hard cover crimper. Press the lever all the way down to open the throat. Place the book inside and release the handle. The crimper will give both shape to the spine and serve as a cooling rack for the adhesive to bind to the paper. The final and important step is creating a strong hinge. On a flat surface, open your book to about a 90-degree angle and, with downward pressure on the front cover, run your finger or thumb along the inside edge to get a nice tight hinge. Turn the book over and do the same thing for the back cover. This will give you a great looking spine with a natural fold and a secure bind. So keep in mind these three steps of the square and flat bind, proper sized cover and a strong hinge, you’ll have a great book. You have only one opportunity to make a great first impression, and with a Pro-Bind system, that’s easy.
< 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)
