MyBinding Knowledge Base
Can I use a thermal binding machine to repair and maintain paperback books?
Reading is a great pastime and it’s one that has been enjoyed for years. Although hardcover books are durable and look great in a bookcase, many people prefer paperbacks. There are several reasons for this. For one thing, paperback books are almost always more affordable than hardcovers. Also, paperback books are lightweight so they’re perfect for reading on the go. However, paperbacks aren’t as durable as hardcovers and they can fall apart over time. This Hub will give you pointers on how to make your books last longer, including some instructions so you can repair them with a thermal binding machine if any pages fall out. Let’s get started!
How to make your paperbacks last longer:
- Make sure you keep your paperbacks away from water as much as possible. Sure, a few raindrops won’t ruin your book but dropping it in a pool or bathtub will cause the pages to warp. This can make the volume unreadable in some cases. Also, your books should be stored in a dry environment when you’re not reading them. Otherwise, they can begin to mildew.
- You need to store your books properly. If you have the shelf space, the books should be lined up so they’re flush. (However, don’t pack so many on a shelf that it’s difficult to remove them.) If you’re storing some books on a coffee table or night stand, stack them in piles with the largest (and heaviest) ones on the bottom. Take the time to dust the books occasionally so they’ll stay clean.
- Clear contact paper can be used to laminate the front and back covers of your books. This will make the covers tear-proof and spill-resistant. Just cut out a piece of contact paper that’s slightly larger than the covers and spine, peel away the lining, and apply it to your book. If you want to avoid using contact paper, a nice fabric or paper cover is a good option.
- Resist the urge to turn down the corner of the page to mark your spot. Use a bookmark instead. (Check out the selection at your local bookstore.) You can also make your own bookmarks if you have access to a pouch laminator.
- Keep your books out of the reach of children and pets. Pets have been known to chew on the corners of books which can leave a bunch of teeth indentations. If you have kids, restrict access to your paperbacks until the kids are old enough to know how to treat a book.
- Finally, keep food and drinks away from your books. And don’t write in them!
< 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)
