Bookletmakers are used to create a wide variety of literature. This includes instruction manuals, promotional literature, booklets and much more. If you are in the market for a bookletmaker, one model you may want to consider is the Standard M2 electric-powered bookletmaker. I have used this machine and this is my review.

To begin with, this model has been around for some time. That isn’t a bad thing. That just means the design works, has been proven over years and continues to be popular. It is best suited for on-demand jobs.

While not as digital as many newer models, the M2 is still very easy to set up. It can be used with a wide range of paper sizes (6 x 8 ½-inches up to 11 x 17-inches).  Once the paper size has been set, the rest is very automated. The built quality is excellent and should easily last for years of trouble-free operation.

Simply take your stack of paper, place it in the feed tray and push a button. The machine then pulls that stack (up to 15 sheets), folds it and staples it along the spine. The newly created booklet exits the other side of the machine.

The M2 can single fold and staple up to 15 sheets of standard 20# paper at a time. This means it can create a booklet with up to 60 pages, which isn’t half bad. A total of two staplers are used to do the stapling, although it has enough slots for up to five. The motor itself runs at a speed of up to 800 booklets an hour.

This booklet maker can be found in schools, churches, clubs, corporate sales, marketing departments and much more.  It is ideal for any business that has the need of a short-run booklemaker. While not designed for high-volume production, it can be used for low to medium-volume jobs.

The only downside is that there isn’t any onboard storage system where you can create and store custom jobs. This isn’t a huge deal as the machine is easy to set up, but it would still be a nice feature to have.

Overall I really like the Standard M2 Bookletmaker. It is certainly a solid machine and can easily be used without any problems. The end result is professional and presentable. You can find the Standard M2 Bookletmaker here. You can find our entire selection of bookletmakers here. You can view a video demo of the M2 Bookletmaker here.

Are you looking for a well rounded binding machine capable of binding in both comb and wire? If this is the case, you have probably found several different options. One machine you may want to look at is the SircleBind CW-350 comb and wire binding machine. This is my review.

Sircle brand binding machines are some of the most affordable binding machines out there. Sircle machines often include many high-end features found in more expensive machines. The SircleBind CW-350 is an example of this.

To begin with, the SircleBind CW-350 has selectable punching pins. This means you can disengage pins that you don’t want to punch. Why is this nice? Because you can punch odd-sized paper without annoying half-punched holes at the edges of paper. This is a feature that I look for in binding machines.

The SircleBind CW-350 also has the ability to punch holes for either 3:1 pitch wire (three holes per inch) and 19-ring comb. Because the CW-350 has a comb opener and a wire closer, you can also use the CW-350 with 19-ring wire, sometimes called wire comb.

Having multi-format binding capabilities makes this machine great for people who can’t settle on wire or comb. The CW-350 gets away with multi-bind functionality without sacrificing quality or functionality. Everything is combined into one compact machine.

The design of the CW-350 isn’t bad either. It features a contemporary design that fits in well with most office environments. The handle and paper support plate can be folded down for convenient storage.

Another nice feature of the SircleBind CW-350 is the “U” shaped handle. This is nice because you can punch paper, close wire and open combs from a variety of positions. This design is especially nice for those of you who are left-handed and are tired of right-handed only binding machines.

Overall I am impressed with this machine. While I don’t consider it to be up to the level of an Akiles machine, you really can’t complain too much about the price. This is a great machine for low to medium volume binding.

You can find the SircleBind CW-350 comb and wire binding machine here. You can find our entire selection of combination binding machines here.

Do you need a solid, well-rounded comb binding machine? Finding one can be difficult in an ocean of dozens of different makes and models. One machine you may want to consider looking at is the Akiles MegaBind-1 comb binder. I have used this machine and this is my review.

To start with, Akiles makes some of the highest quality binding machines out there. While there isn’t a consumer reports list of binding machine reviews available, if there was Akiles would probably be at the top of the list. The build quality is just phenomenal.

The Akiles MegaBind-1 is no exception when it comes to build quality. The machine is made out of solid metal. The gears are metal, the housing is metal, etc. Because this machine is so solid, it is very easy to use. Longevity is no issue with the MegaBind-1.

So who should use the MegaBind-1? This machine is a good all-round machine best used for low to medium-volume binding. It can be used to bind reports, cookbooks, booklets and more. It is compact enough to be set on almost any table, counter or desk.

It is a manual machine, so don’t expect binding speeds seen in electric machines. It is capable of punching up to 25 sheets of paper at a time (thanks to an upgraded punch), so it is fast, but electric machines will always be faster.

If you are left handed, be aware that the lever for punching and opening the combs is located on the right side of the machine. This isn’t an issue for most people, but you should be aware.

A few features that I really like in this machine are the selectable punching dies and the adjustable margin depth. For the price, these features are pretty uncommon. Both of these features will increase your ability to bind books of various sizes and thicknesses.

Overall I am very impressed with this little comb binding machine. It is solid, durable and priced right. You can find the Akiles MegaBind 1 comb binding machine here. The MegaBind is also available in a MegaBind-2 found here.

The MegaBind-2 is pretty much the same as the MegaBind-1 but with a wire closer for 19-ring wire. You can find our entire selection of manual-punch comb binding machines here.

Coil binding (aka spiral binding) is one of the most attractive and durable binding formats available today. If you are in the market for a coil binding machine, you’ve probably discovered there are a lot of options. One machine you may want to consider is the Akiles CoilMac-M coil binding machine. I have used this machine and this is my review.

To begin with, the CoilMac-M is available in two different versions. One is the basic CoilMac-M and the other is the CoilMac-M Plus. There are only two significant differences between these two machines.

The CoilMac-M has five selectable (disengageable) punching pins where the CoilMac-M Plus has 54. The CoilMac-M punches round holes where the CoilMac-M Plus punches oval-shaped holes. More selectable dies is always nice and the oval holes are suppose to make for easier page turns.

Both machines are made from solid metal and feature durable construction. This is the case with most Akiles machines. I can’t even think of I time I heard a complaint back from a customer regarding the CoilMac-M.

Both the CoilMac-M and the Plus weigh in at 35 pounds, which gives you an idea on how tough they are. They punch a total of 20 holes of paper at a time, which is pretty good for a manual-punch machine.

The CoilMac-M uses a 4:1 pitch hole pattern. This means it punches a total of four holes per inch of paper. This is the most common coil binding hole pattern and the supplies are very common.

I suppose my biggest complaint with the CoilMac-M series of binding machines is that they don’t have an electric inserter. Coils have to be manually inserted through the holes. If you are only binding a dozen books a day, that isn’t an issue.

If you need to bind dozens or more books a day, you may want to go with something that has an inserter like the Akiles CoilMac-ER, CoilMac-ECI or CoilMac-ECI Plus.

Overall I really like the CoilMac-M coil binders. I would rate these as being perfect for low to medium-volume use. You can easily use the CoilMac-M to create booklets, reports, cookbooks and more. You can find the CoilMac-M here and the CoilMac-M Plus here. You can find our entire selection of coil binding machines here.

Wire binding looks great. It can be used for binding reports, booklets and much more. So which machine should you get? One model you may want to consider buying is the Akiles OffiWire. I have used this machine and this is my review.

To begin with, the OffiWire is made by Akiles. I make this point because Akiles is known as being one of the best binding machine manufacturers around. They have passed up GBC and many other manufacturers in quality and durability. Akiles machines are made from durable metal components.

The OffiWire is a wire binding machine. Wire binding is sometimes referred to as twin loop or double loop wire. I have even heard some people refer to wire binding as wire comb.

The OffiWire is available in two different pitches (hole patterns). This includes both 2:1 and 3:1 pitch. A 2:1 pitch hole pattern has two holes per inch of paper and a 3:1 pitch hole pattern is three holes per inch.

Both hole punch patterns look similar but are still very distinct. A 2:1 pitch pattern has the holes spaced farther apart, allowing the 2:1 pitch to bind a thicker book. The 3:1 pitch pattern has the holes closer together, creating a “tighter” look. I find more people go with the 2:1 pitch due to the added binding capacity.

The Akiles OffiWire is a very simple, yet well-built machine. It isn’t designed for high-volume binding. It’s best used at home or in the office for binding the occasional booklet or report. I wouldn’t use the OffiWire for binding any more than a few dozen books a day maximum.

The OffiWire weighs in at 23 pounds, which is fairly hefty for the size, but it can still be easily moved around from one room to another. It is best used on a desk, table or counter.

Punching paper with the OffiWire is very easy to do. The “U” shaped handle is easy to pull and is equally easy to use between right-handed and left-handed people. There is a side margin control adjustment to help get the holes properly aligned. The OffiWire can punch up to 10 sheets of standard paper at a time. It even includes a wire selector tool.

One thing I wish the OffiWire had was selectable (disengageable) punching dies. While not an absolute necessity, I do like to have the ability to choose which holes will punch. In this price range, however, selectable dies are not very common.

One of my favorite features of the OffiWire is the closer. It has one of the toughest, heaviest-duty wire closers I have seen in some time. It is very reminiscent of the old EB-32 wire binder from the late 90s. The wire closer is designed to close evenly and effortlessly.

I have to say that if you have low to medium-volume wire binding needs, the OffiWire may be a good fit for you. It is very affordable and should last you for years without a problem. You can find the Akiles OffiWire wire binding machine here. You can find our entire selection of wire binding machines here.

I had someone ask me today if we sold any glue binding machines. The question initially stumped me, but after a few questions I figured out what she was looking for. We actually carry a few different binding machines that could be categorized as glue binding machines. It ends up she was looking for a thermal binding machine.

These are the three different “glue binding machine” categories that we offer here at ABC Office:

1. Thermal Binding Machines - Thermal binding machines use special covers that have thermally-activated glue in the spine. As the glue warms up, it sticks to the paper. It works in much the same way as a hot glue gun. Once the glue cools, it solidifies and keeps the paper bound.

2. Padding Presses – These machines are used to create notepads. They use a special type of glue to keep the pages together. Padding presses use a wet type of glue that dries with time (usually 10-15 minutes). The glue is very similar in consistency to Elmer’s glue. Once the glue is dried, the pad can be used to take notes. Padding presses are not typically used to bind books.

3. Perfect Binding Machines - These machines use thermally activated or cold glue (depending on the model) to bind paperback books, note pads and more. Paper is inserted into the perfect binding machine where it is then clamped into place. The paper moves along the machine where glue is rolled onto the spine. The last step of the perfect binding process involves adding a cover to the paper that is crimped to the spine. The end result is a paperback book.

Most people are thinking of thermal binding machines when they refer to glue binding machines. Hopefully this has helped answer some of your questions. You can find our entire selection of book binding machines here.

Still have questions about glue binding machines? Call us at 1-800-658-8788 or post a comment here.

Do you need an affordable booklet making solution? Booklet makers are one of the best ways you can do this. These machines fold and staple paper in a fraction the time it would take manually. One of the newest machines available to create booklets is the Formax FD 180. I have had the opportunity to play around with and use this booklet maker. This is my review.

Formax has been making booklet makers for some time now. Their most recent lineup includes the Formax FD 180 and Formax FD 160. The FD 180 is probably one of the most affordable booklet makers that both folds and staples the paper for you automatically.

The FD 180 is extremely easy to set up. It comes with six preset folding sizes. Select the one you want, place your paper inside and push a button. The machine will then staple the paper down the center and fold it. The booklet comes out the top of the machine. You’re now ready to move on to the next booklet. Every time I have used this booklet maker the paper has come out registered and properly aligned.

The Formax FD 180 is designed to staple and fold up to 15 sheets of 20# paper. This comes out to be a total of 60 booklet pages. You can get four booklet pages (front and back) per one sheet of paper. It can be used to fold and staple thicker sheet of paper, but the thicker the paper the fewer sheets you will be able to fold and staple.  Although manually fed, the FD 180 is rated at an operational speed of up to 500 booklets per hour.

Two built-in stapling heads can be adjusted to five different positions, often depending on the size of paper you will be stapling. One nice thing about the FD 180 is that it uses standard paper staples. The Formax FD 180 can be used to fold and staple paper as large as 12 x 17-inches in size or as small as 8.25 x 10 inches.

The Formax FD 180 is commonly used by churches, schools, print shops and other organizations for creating brochures, booklets, stories, user manuals and other literature that fits within 60 pages. It weights in at about 60 pounds, which means it can be used on most tables and surfaces.

Overall I have to say that I am impressed both with the build quality and easy-of-use. I think any business or organization that has low to medium-volume booklet making needs could really benefit from using the Formax FD 180.

You can find the Formax FD 180 booklet maker here. You can find our entire selection of booklet makers here.

I had a confused customer ask me recently what the difference was between a VeloBind and a SureBind machine. I can understand the confusion. The machines look the same, have the same specifications and retail for the same amount. So what is the biggest difference between these machines?

The biggest difference between these two machines is nothing. That’s right. VeloBind and SureBind are exactly the same thing. Years ago they used to be competing brands, but GBC now owns both names. Why they continue to use both names is purely for marketing and distribution purposes, but all it seems to have done is create confusion.

Many years ago GBC also used the name QuickBind, which was synonymous for  VeloBind. Here are the VeloBind machines and their SureBind equivalents:

• System One VeloBind = System One SureBind
• System Two VeloBind = System Two SureBind
• System Three Pro Velobind = System Three Pro SureBind

Confusion aside, VeloBind is one nice looking binding format. The machines are easy to use and the bind is solid. You can find our entire selection of GBC VeloBind machines here.

Do you need a binding system that can handle a lot of paper? Perhaps up to three-inches of paper? If you need to securely bind that much paper, you should seriously consider using the VeloBind System Three Pro from GBC. I have used this machine for years now and this is my review.

To begin with, VeloBind in general looks really good. The concept is very simple. You punch the paper (11 total holes), insert the VeloBind strip (11 total prongs), put it in the machine and the machine does the rest. VeloBind is one of the most tamper-proof and secure binding formats available today.

The VeloBind System Three Pro punches the paper, cuts off the excess prongs and uses heat to automatically seal the back strip to the VeloBind prongs. Apart from some manual interaction, the machine is fairly automated. Be aware that the VeloBind System Three Pro is also marketed as the System Three Pro SecureBind. They are both the same machine.

The System Three Pro can bind paper up to three-inches thick, but can also be used to bind smaller and thinner books. The machine will cut off the excess prongs and adjust the strip to the thickness of the book being bound.

The System Three Pro can use 1 x 11, 2 x 11 and 3 x 11 strips. These are one, two and three-inch strips. If you used a three-inch (3 x 11) strip with a ¼-inch thick book, the machine would cut off the excess 2 ¾-inches of prong. You can find our VeloBind supplies here.

Three inches is a lot of paper. A lot of people ask if the VeloBind System Three Pro can really bind this much paper. My answer is “yes, it can.” It does a very good job at binding that much paper. The VeloBind strips keep the paper in place and the end result is extremely secure.

This machine is particularly popular with lawyer’s offices, businesses that deal with contracts, construction companies and other organizations that need to bind a lot of paper. VeloBind is also popular with businesses that need a “tamper proof” binding system. A VeloBound document cannot be tampered with. Pages can be ripped out, but it is obvious.

Although the VeloBind System Three Pro does have a de-bind feature, it doesn’t work that well. It essentially heats up the back strip, making it possible to peel it off. Because the prongs are cut off and sealed with heat in the binding process, the prongs have almost a mushroom-like shape to them. Because the end of the prong is “mushroomed” out, they don’t pull back through the paper easily. Ultimately you will get the VeloBind strip back out of the paper, but the paper won’t look “untouched.”

Also be aware that pages bound with VeloBind will not lay flat. If you need a document that lays flat, you will need to go with a binding format like coil / spiral binding. Coil and spiral binding cannot, however, bind three-inches of paper.

Overall I really like the VeloBind System Three Pro. It is secure, easy-to-use, inexpensive to operate and the end results look professional. In fact, I think VeloBound documents look far more expensive than they really are. You can find our GBC VeloBind System Three Pro here. You can find our entire selection of GBC VeloBind machines here.

Do you need to VeloBind documents but don’t have the budget to buy a GBC VeloBind machine? You may want to consider an alternative. That’s right. Tamerica makes a machine called the V2000-Pro SecureBind that punches the same hole pattern as VeloBind and uses the same supplies as VeloBind. Here is my review of the V2000-Pro SecureBind.

To begin with, Tamerica’s SecureBind is their own take on VeloBind. The V2000-Pro SecureBind is very similar in operation the GBC VeloBind V800 Pro. The biggest difference between the two machines is that the Tamerica V2000-Pro can bind two-inches of paper where the V800 Pro can only bind one inch of paper. Because VeloBind supplies are so readily available, you will have no trouble keeping the V2000-Pro up and running.

The V2000-Pro can punch between 20-22 sheets of standard copy paper at a time. This amount will vary depending on the type of paper you are punching. I recommend starting at about half the maximum punching capacity and working up from there. The V2000-Pro punches a total of 11 holes along an 11-inch side of paper.

Hole punching is completely manual. One thing I really like about the V2000-Pro is the “U” shaped handle. This makes it easier to punch paper with your left or right hand.

Once the holes are punched, an 11-prong SecureBind or VeloBind. Strip can be inserted through the punched holes. A back strip is then placed on the back of the paper. The document is then placed on the V2000-Pro.

Much like the V800 Pro from GBC, the V2000-Pro automatically cuts off the excess prongs and seals them shut using heat. The end result is an extremely secure bind, hence the name SecureBind.

This style of binding is very popular with lawyer’s offices, construction companies and other businesses that bind large volumes of paper. You are able to use your own covers and back sheets.

You can find the Tamerica V2000-Pro SecurBind here. You can find our VeloBind supplies here. You can find our entire selection of VeloBind machines here.