| The purpose of this article is to guide you on how | | | | electricity. |
| to properly bind a document using a thermal | | | | - Remember, it is the binding edge of the sheets |
| binding machine. If you have access to 5 or 6 | | | | which must be evenly jogged for a secure bind. |
| thermal binding covers, follow through these | | | | 2. Place the thermal binding cover in your left hand |
| binding instructions. If not, read through the | | | | (if you are right handed), and allow it to slightly fall |
| material and try binding some documents later. | | | | open to create what looks like a wide V. Insert |
| After ensuring that your machine is plugged in and | | | | the fanned sheets into your scored thermal |
| turned on select a smaller thermal binding cover | | | | binding cover (make sure that you grasp the |
| i.e. 1/16", 1/8" or 1/4" and the approximate | | | | sheets tightly to maintain the uniform jogged |
| amount of paper needed to fit into the cover. In | | | | edge). The sheets should be centered within the |
| normal use, the operator will have a document of | | | | cover and placed on the adhesive backbone. Close |
| "x" number of sheets, which will then determine | | | | the cover around the sheets. The first and last |
| the proper size of thermal cover to use. The | | | | sheets should not stick up higher than the other |
| easiest way to do this is to place the paper, | | | | pages. If you have uneven pages, take all the |
| indexes, etc. to be bound flat on a table and | | | | sheets out of the cover, rejog them and insert |
| measure the thickness of the stack with a ruler. | | | | them back into the cover. |
| Choose a cover that meets that measurement. | | | | 3. Next, place the document (spine side down) so |
| i.e. if you have a 1/4" stack of paper, you would | | | | the edge of the thermal cover is at the right hand |
| use a 1/4" thermal binding cover. If you are in | | | | side of the binding slot. The binding machine should |
| between sizes, go to the next largest size. | | | | automatically start and depending on the size of |
| 1. To reduce static electricity that builds up | | | | your document should determine the length of |
| between sheets run off a copier, the paper to be | | | | the bind time. |
| bound needs to be fanned. Take a stack of | | | | 4. When you remove the bound document, tap |
| paper, and practice fanning using the following | | | | the backbone on the table to help set the |
| technique: | | | | adhesive, and set the document(s) on the cooling |
| - Grasp the sheets on both sides, holding them | | | | stand to maintain the square backbone during |
| fairly loose. | | | | curing. Make sure the document(s) are placed |
| - Bend the sheets as in the following diagram. | | | | squarely on the cooling stand so that the |
| While bent, exert pressure on the paper with | | | | backbone remains square during the curing |
| your thumbs and fingers to gain a firm grip where | | | | process. This will provide the most professional |
| the sheets cannot move. | | | | looking finished product. |
| - While maintaining pressure on the sheets, | | | | 5. The document must cool before it can be used. |
| straighten out the stack of paper. This will bow | | | | It should remain on the stand for 3 to 5 minues. |
| the sheets so that there is air space between | | | | This time period varies depending on the thickness |
| sheets. After air has been allowed into the sheets, | | | | of the thermal binding cover. Obviously, a 1/16" |
| release your grasp on the sheets as you jog | | | | thick document will cool faster than a 2" |
| them onto a flat, level surface. This is called | | | | document. Ultimately, any thermal cover, |
| fanning the paper. It is usually not necessary | | | | regardless of size, will have reached full binding |
| unless the paper has just come off a copier, | | | | strength once the backbone is cool to the touch |
| where the pages contain a large amount of static | | | | (approximately 15 minutes). |