If you have a wire binding punch, lack a wire closer on your binding machine or simply want to speed up binding operations, you may wonder if you can manually close twin loop wire by hand. It is a question I get from customers from time to time. I have also had customers ask if they can reuse the wire. I will answer these questions and more in this article.

Having personally tried to close wire using my hand. Can it be done? Yes. Does it look good? No…absolutely not. The problem is that a wire closer, used with most wire binding machines, closes all the rings of wire at the same time, providing a nice and even look. Closing each individual loop (32 loops with 3:1 pitch and 21 loops with 2:1 pitch) results in each loop being closed a little more or a little less than the next or previous loop. To put it simple, it looks horrible.

So can you open wire and reuse it? Unfortunately this is not a possibility either. Having tried this myself, I can vouch for the fact that it is impossible. While I have seen some wire binding machines that include a wire opener, that actually does an OK job, it still never looks as good as a new wire binding element. The problem is that opening the wire causes kinks, crimps and gets fatigue spots in the wire that never look right, even when the wire is re-closed. It is also extremely hard to remove wire from a wire bound book by hand. It can easily rip and damage the document in the process.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but twin loop wire binding is not forgiving. If you need to be able to reuse or reopen a binding element, I recommend you consider using a comb binding machine. Coil binding, while it can be re-used, is easy to remove if you need to add or remove a page.

You can find our entire selection of wire binding machines here, wire binding supplies here and book binding machines here.

Shrink wrap film, whether it is a centerfold roll or a shrink bag, comes in different thicknesses. The thickness of shrink film is referred to as the gauge. Many customers call asking which gauge they need for their product. The answer the question, “Which gauge thickness should I use?” depends entirely on what you will be packaging.

One hundred gauge film is 1 mil thick (0.001″). That gives you an idea on just how thick the shrink film is that you will be using. Remember that as the film shrinks it gets thicker. This is because the surface area of the film shrinks when direct heat is applied. As the surface area shrinks, the film thickness increases. Most shrink film shrinks about 40% its original size when in contact with a heat gun or tunnel.

Most shrink wrap film is available in 60, 75 and 100 gauges. This isn’t always the case, but is the norm. The higher the gauge number, the thicker the film is. Shrink wrap film comes in 2 different flavors, PVC film and Polyolefin film. PVC film, which is more common, has a tougher texture and feel to it, where Polyolefin has a more pliable / stretchy feel to it. Polyolefin is safe for use in direct contact with food.

PVC shrink film is almost always available in 75 or 100 gauge thicknesses and Polyolefin film comes in 60, 75 an 100. Polyolefin film is available in 60 gauge, because the thinner film is more durable than PVC film. A 60-gauge thickness in PVC film would be too thin and would break too easily.

As a general rule, if you are only packaging a single item, the thinner film is almost always fine. That means if you are packaging a single DVD, CD or box, 75 gauge PVC or 60 gauge Polyolefin is almost always more than enough to keep things coated and protected. This isn’t, however, the case when bundling multiple items together.

If you are bundling multiple items together, let’s say 2-3 DVDs, you will want to use a thicker film. The thicker film helps prevent movement and is less likely to break apart in shipping or while being handled. This means if you are bundling multiple items together, you may want to consider 100 gauge PVC film or 75-100 gauge polyolefin film.

Hopefully this helps answer the question, “Which film thickness should I use?” If you need additional clarification, or simply have a shrink wrap packaging question, please contact one of our specialists at 1-800-658-8788.

You can find our entire selection of shrink wrap film here and our entire selection of shrink wrap machines here.

If you are a scrapbooker, are married to one or have a close friend that loves scrapbooking, you probably know that a paper cutter is their closest friend. These paper cutters are used for trimming down paper, cutting cardstock or re-sizing photographs. Many even include special perforating, scoring or patterned blades. At ABC Office, we offer some excellent cutters that are a hit with our scrapbooking customers.

A diehard scrapbooker will probably use their paper cutter at least a couple of times a week. Because repetitive use is a must, and the fact that the paper cutter will be used often, it is important to get a cutter that can hold up for a long time. We have found that three brands in particular seem to have a great reputation. These brands include Carl, Dahle and Rotatrim.

While there are several styles of paper cutters out there, the rotary style seems to be the best all-round cutter for precision trimming of paper and photos. These types of cutters have a round blade that sits inside a housing that slides along a rail. As the blade moves along the rail, it spins (like a pizza cutter). This design makes paper cutting extremely easy.

Top 10 Best Scrapbooking Paper Cutters for Christmas 2011

1. Carl DC-300N Rotary Paper Trimmer – This trimmer is feature rich, extremely affordable and has an impressive 20 sheet cutting capacity. It can cut cardstock, mat board, paper, photos and more!
2. Carl DC-238N Heavy Duty Rotary Trimmer – This trimmer can cut 36 sheet of paper at a time! It features an impressive 18″ cutting length and is made out of 100% recycled materials.
3. Dahle 507, 508 & 507K Personal Rotary Trimmers – This trimmers are affordable, compact and great for taking from one place to another.
4. Carl RT-200N Professional Rotary Trimmer – This trimmer is available under $50, is made from recycled materials and is excellent for daily use. It replaces the previous bestseller the RT-200.
5. Rotatrim Professional M Series Rotary Paper Cutter – While this trimmer may be on the higher end of the price scale, this British-made cutter will probably also last a good 10 years. This is the cutter professional photographers use.
6. Carl DC-220N Heavy Duty Rotary Trimmer – With a 36 sheet cutting capacity, a luminous cutting clamp and a wide range of cutting patterns on the base, this cutter makes paper trimming easy.
7. Rotatrim Mastercut MC Series Paper Cutter – Once known as the monorail, this Rotatrim paper cutter is sturdy, features a square rail and is excellent for precision cutting.
8. Dahle 550, 552 & 554 Professional Rotary Paper Cutters – These cutters are very popular with photographers, artists and others that need reliable paper cutting. German engineered to perfection, these cutters mean business.
9. Carl DC-100N Personal Rotary Trimmer – This paper cutter is compact, can fit in a purse and is great for the hobbyist. While it isn’t designed for heavy-duty cutting, it is still a high-quality compact trimmer that won’t disappoint you.

These paper cutters all have a proven track record. They are great for scrapbookers and should make an excellent Christmas gift. If you’re not sure which of these fine cutters are best for you, please don’t hesitate to call one of our paper cutting experts at 1-800-658-8788. They will be able to help guide you to the right cutter and answer all your questions.

You can find our entire selection of rotary paper cutters here and our wide selection of paper cutters here.

The air is getting cold for many parts of the United States and people are beginning to spend more time indoors. As a result, more people are getting colds and the sniffles, which means a lot of people going through a lot of tissue. If you have an office lobby or waiting room, you probably offer customers tissues. Rather than putting a tissue box out on a table, in all its horrible flower décor glory, consider using a wood tissue box holder or cover. Your customers, clients and patients will be impressed.

Wood tissue box covers and holders provide a secure and professional way to display otherwise ugly tissue boxes. This allows the tissue box to blend in nicely with a wood table, wood seating and other wood furniture. It helps provide protection to the tissue box, while adding a professional element to the ambiance.

Our tissue box holders look great and come in dark red mahogany, light oak or medium oak. These wood tissue holders can be set out on a table or they can be mounted to a wall (mounting hardware included). These boxes are made out of oak, so they are designed to hold up well with continuous use. They can also be used in doctor’s offices, hospitals and medical facilities to hold latex or rubber glove boxes.

While these tissue box covers may commonly be found in lobbies and waiting rooms, they are also popular in schools, churches and even in homes. Choose from a single, double, triple or a quadruple wood tissue box holder design. These boxes are made by Wooden Mallet, so you can expect the utmost in quality.

While the quality is excellent and the finish is extremely professional, I think one of the best features is the great low price! You can find our entire selection of wood tissue box covers and holders here.

During the month of December we are offering a great deal on everything we sell! This includes binding machines, paper folding machines, supplies and other office machinery. All you need to do is use the 5% off code listed in this e-mail. This code may be applied to the shopping card or it may be used over the phone by calling 1-800-658-8788. This is a great way to save your business money!

The coupon code for the month of December is DECBLOG05. As mentioned earlier, this coupon code can be applied to any of the supplies or equipment we sell and can save you up to a maximum of $200!

We sincerely appreciate your business and value you as a customer. We are always more than happy to help you find ways to save your business money. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 for quotes, bulk quantity discounts and much more. You can find everything we sell by visiting our online store here.

Some restrictions do apply to this coupon code. You can read those restrictions here.

The Akiles WireMac is one of the most popular wire binding machines in the United States. These machines are used to bind reports, presentations, books and much more. You will find the WireMac in businesses, schools, churches and other organizations. We currently offer 4 different variations of the WireMac. This article will explain the differences between each.

Types of Akiles WireMac Binding Machines

Akiles WireMac (2:1 or 3:1) – The first and most common version is the standard Akiles WireMac (found here). It is a manually operated machine and is available in a 2:1 pitch hole pattern or a 3:1 pitch hole pattern. This wire binding machine is completely manually operated. It includes a handle for punching paper and a separate handle for closing the wire. It features fully disengageable punching dies, an adjustable margin depth and a dial that sets the wire closer (prevents over closing or under closing wire). This is the most popular WireMac. This is because it is the least expensive, yet still features an extremely durable metal frame and shell.

Akiles WireMac-Combo (Comb / Wire) – This version of the WireMac combines both 2:1 wire and comb or a 3:1 wire and plastic 19-ring comb binding. The Akiles WireMac-Combo (found here) features a wire punch and a comb binding punch. Also included is a wire close and a comb opener / closer. This is especially nice for people that don’t want to settle on any one binding format. While this machine is completely manual, it is easy to use and is fast to operate. This machine is robust, powerful and is made from durable metal construction. It also features disengageable punching pins, an adjustable margin depth and much more.

Akiles WireMac-Duo (2:1 & 3:1) – If you can’t settle on a wire binding hole pattern, you may want to consider the Akiles WireMac-Duo (found here). This version of the WireMac features both a 2:1 pitch and a 3:1 pitch punching die. This allows you to create reports using a tighter hole patter (3:1 pitch) or a wider spaced hole pattern (2:1 pitch) that allows for thicker books. It can also punch through clear covers, card stock and standard paper. This is a great wire binding machine for a business environment due to its versatility. The WireMac-Duo is a very popular binding machine. It is both affordable and features a superb build quality.

Akiles WireMac-E Electric Wire Binding Machine (2:1 or 3:1) – If you really like the WireMac, but need to increase your binding output, you may want to consider using the Akiles WireMac-E (found here). This version of the WireMac features an electric punch and a manual wire closer. This machine is available in either a 2:1 pitch hole pattern or a 3:1 pitch hole pattern. Unfortunately, as of the writing of this article, there is no WireMac-E-Combo that combines both hole patterns. This wire binder features a foot pedal for hands-free operation and can punch 20 sheets of paper at a time. This machine is a beast and will easily keep up with your daily wire binding operations.

The WireMac line of wire binding machines has an excellent track record with our customers. As long as you know the differences between the models, you should be very happy with your purchase. I personally love selling Akiles WireMac machines because I know that I won’t have to worry about customer service issues later down the road. I personally recommend that you invest a little extra money in a WireMac that will easily last for years, versus a slightly cheaper machine that may last 1 year.

You can find our entire selection of Akiles wire binding machines here. Please feel free to contact one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions. We are more than happy to help you find the right machine. You are also more than welcome to post your question as a comment at the end of this article.

When shopping around for a bill or currency counter, you want something that is extremely reliable and durable…right? If so, you may not necessarily want to go with the cheapest money counter out there. While this isn’t always the case, you often get what you pay for. One high-quality line of bill counters you may want to use is made by Semacon.

Because Semacon bill counters go through rigorous testing, are made in high-quality manufacturing plants out of Japan and feature one of the best warranties in the industry, they aren’t the cheapest, however, they are considered by many to be the best.

Semacon bill counters go through a rigorous “burn-in” process. This means that bills are run through them to ensure that they will definitely work right out of the box. This is a huge relief for many businesses that need things to work right the first time.

Many Semacon bill counters are also made in Japan, rather than China. While this may not be a big deal for some people, Japanese factories are known for their state-of-the art facilities and excellent quality control. Quality is not sacrificed to make a buck.

While Semacon bill counters are not the cheapest currency counters on the market, they are by far some of the most reliable. If you consider that a cheap bill counter may last a few months to a year, and a Semacon machine will probably last several years, the Semacon money counter ultimately ends up being the best deal.

Semacon also offers one of the best warranties around. Their unconditional warranty includes limitless and free tech support and training (over the phone).

So who uses Semacon currency counting machines? These are just a few of the businesses that have high-volume counting needs that often rely on Semacon.

• Banks
• Credit Unions
• Casinos
• Vending Operators
• Amusement Operators
• Retail Stores
• Restaurants

Here are 5 great Semacon bill counters that you may want to consider using:

• Semacon S-1000 Mini
• Semacon S-1015 Mini w/ UV Detection
• Semacon S-1025 Mini Currency Counter w/ UV and MG Detection
• Semacon S-1100 Series Bill Counters (S-1100, S-1115, S-1125)
• Semacon S-1400 Series Bill Counters (S-1400, S-1415, S-1425, S-1450)

At ABC Office we are currently offering some of the best prices available online for Semacon bill counting machines. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better price. If you do, let us know and we’ll match it!

You can find our entire selection of Semacon money handling equipment here. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions regarding Semacon bill counters.

GBC VeloBind machines provide a professional and nice looking bind. Having used VeloBind myself to bind several reports and presentations for college, I can vouch for the fact that they make a great impression. Few binding formats beat a VeloBound document with a nice clear cover front and a card stock back cover. So which machine should you purchase for your business or copy center? There are 4 viable options available and these are my recommendations.

Four Different VeloBind Machines:

• GBC VeloBind System One
• Tamerica V2000-Pro (SecureBind)
• GBC VeloBind System Two
• GBC VeloBind System Three Pro

Before you purchase a GBC VeloBind machine, there are 2 primary questions you need to ask yourself:

How thick are your documents? VeloBind machines are modeled and designed to handle a maximum thickness. The System One can handle 1″ of paper, the System Two can handle 2″ and the System Three can handle 3″ of paper. It is a pretty straightforward system. The larger machines, such as the GBC System Three Pro, can also handle 2″ and 1″ strips. The larger machines are all backwards compatible.

If you don’t think you will ever need to bind a book thicker than 1″, and you don’t need an electric punch, the VeloBind System One is going to be more than enough for you. If you need to bind up to1 ½” of paper, you’ll need a VeloBind System Two (etc…).

How many books do you need to bind per day? Hot Knife VeloBind machines are partially automated. The cutting and heat sealing of the VeloBind strips is all automatic. The punch, however, is not electric on all the VeloBind machines. The Tamerica V200-Pro (SecureBind) and the GBC VeloBind System One both feature a manual punch. The GBC System Two and System Three Pro both have electric punches.

If you expect to bind more than a few dozen books a day, you may want to consider using an electric punch. This will be faster and will cut down on operator fatigue.

Customer Favorite – Having used all of the GBC VeloBind machines and the Tamerica V2000-Pro Secure Bind (SecureBind is Tamerica’s version of VeloBind), I have to say that the System One is my favorite simply because it is affordable and does a great job. That’s not to say that the System 2 or System 3 Pro are bad, they just aren’t as popular with our customers.

The Tamerica V2000Pro is a good alternative to the GBC System Two, however, I would personally go with the GBC System One over the Tamerica V2000-Pro for 1″ binding.  I personally think the GBC VeloBind machine is a slightly better built machine.

You can find our entire selection of VeloBind book binding machine here and our 11-prong hot knife VeloBind strips here.

Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any of your VeloBind questions. Have a great day!

While you definitely want the inside of your office building looking good, it is also a good idea to promote a clean outdoor entrance as well. One great way to do this is by using an outdoor trash can. These waste bins are designed to stay put, look good and withstand the elements. Many of these outdoor waste bins look great, add to the overall building decor and even include ash collectors for smokers.

There are three types of outdoor trash cans that are especially popular. This includes metallic trash cans, neutral waste bins (brown or black) and natural garbage bins that usually feature organic elements such as stone or rock patterns. The can you use will depend a lot on the outdoor landscaping and the architectural design of the building.

An outdoor trash can should be durable and solid. You don’t want something that is top heavy or features a small base. Remember, these garbage cans will be impacted by the elements, animals and even some people. A garbage can or bin that can be blown over by the wind doesn’t deserve to be outside. A tipped over garbage can creates a mess and can be environmentally damaging. An outdoor garbage can should also be covered, preventing rain from pooling in the bottom.

At ABC Office, we offer several great options for outdoor trash cans. Here are 2 types of outdoor garbage bins that have become classics with our customers, totaling 8 different models.

Best Outdoor Trash Cans:

Canmeleon Outdoor Trash Can – This line of trash cans (4 different versions) feature a fluted panel design that, which has a highly professional appearance. These trash cans are molded from high-density polyethylene as well as UV inhibitors for optimal outdoor use. The design of these trash cans hides the bag. The Canmeleon line of garbage cans are some of the most popular available and we can ship these cans to you in a matter of days. Place 1 or 2 outside the entrance of your building.

Canmeleon Stone Outdoor Garbage Bin – The Canmeleon Aggregate Panel outdoor garbage bins (4 different versions) are extremely durable and feature a design that blends in with the natural environment. The molded-in stone aggregate looks classy and is especially nice in front of buildings with a stone or concrete design. The telescoping base helps hide the contained back. The recessed bottom looks great, yet does not detract from the stability of the bin.

Both of these options are reliable, high-quality options for your building. Both of these lines of outdoor trash cans are Greenguard certified. You won’t be disappointed.

You can find our entire selection of office, lobby and outdoor trash cans here.

If you’re shopping around for a roll laminator for your school, copy shop, church or business, you may have determined that the 27″ with is the best for your applications. Twenty-seven inch laminators can be used to laminate posters, maps, banners and much more. They can also be used to laminate many smaller documents simultaneously. So which one is best?

At ABC Office, we have been selling 27″ laminators since 1980, so we have a pretty good idea which ones work and which ones don’t. We also have years of customer feedback and history to look back on, which helps us help you to find the best laminator possible. Based on that history, I will be including a list of the top 5 best roll laminators.

Keep in mind that just because a laminator is labeled as “Best” doesn’t mean it will be best at all jobs. A low-volume laminator is still not going to do high-volume jobs. A “Best” label also doesn’t mean that the laminator can handle all types of film. Many of the laminators in my top 7 list can only handle film up to 3 mils thick (3 thousandths of an inch). That being said, these are all solid roll laminators.

Top 7 Best 27″ Roll Laminators

• Banner American Easy-Lam 27″ Roll Laminator – This laminator has been around for well over a decade and is a customer favorite because of its blend of capabilities mixed with a low price. This is ideal for low to medium-volume laminating.
• Ledco Professor 27″ Roll Laminator – This laminator is excellent for high-volume and continuous laminating. This is one of the best laminators we offer, big or small.
• Banner American Easy-Lam School Budget Roll Laminator – This budget laminator is one of the least expensive 27″ roll laminators around. It works great and produces excellent results, however, it isn’t the fastest roll laminator out there and isn’t designed for high-volume use.
• Banner American Easy-Lam II 27″ Roll Laminator – This laminator is a slightly more robust version of the standard Easy-Lam roll laminator and is excellent for school or copy center use.
• Banner American MightyLam 2700HC 27″ Roll Laminator – The MightyLam 2700HC from Banner American is a robust laminator that can be used for daily medium-volume laminating. It also has mounting capabilities (up to ¼”) and can be used with cold film as well.
• GBC Heatseal Ultima 65 27″ Roll Laminator – The GBC Heatseal Ultima 65 is a great medium-volume laminator for school, copy center, church or business use. It is fast, warms up quickly and can be used with film up to 3 mils thick.
• Tamerica TCC2700 27″ Roll Laminator – This laminator, especially considering the price, is a great value. It is fast, can handle film up to 10 mils thick (thickest available) and uses standard 1″ core rolls of film.

So there you have it! My list of the top 7 best thermal roll laminators. Having used most of these laminators myself, I feel confident in saying you won’t be disappointed. If you need a quote, need shipping prices or simply have some additional questions, please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788. You can find our entire selection of roll laminators here.