If you were to ask me today which thickness of pouch laminating sheets is most popular, I would have to answer with the 5 mil laminating sheet. With so many different sizes available, why is it that this particular thickness is so popular? I’ll cover a few reasons why 5 mil laminating sheets may be what you want to use with your pouch laminator.

To begin with, laminating sheets are commonly available in four different thicknesses. These are 3 mil, 5 mil, 7 mil and 10 mil. On occasion, you may be able to find a 1.5 or a 15 mil laminating pouch, however, they are pretty rare and most people don’t want them.

So what does the term “mil” mean? It is a thousandth of an inch. A 5-mil pouch is 0.005 inches thick (one side). Both sides of a 5-mil pouch add up to 10 mils thick (0.010″). The smaller the mil thickness, the thinner the pouch. For this reason, 3 mil and 10 mil pouches are the least common sizes used by customers. There are two reasons for this.

Three mil laminating sheets aren’t quite as popular as 5 or 7 because many people think it is too thin, and 10 mils is too thick for many people’s taste. The 10-mil thickness also requires a laminator capable of handling that thickness.

Five-mil laminating pouches are popular simply because they provide enough stability along with a nice finished look, not to mention they cost less than 7 or 10-mil thicknesses. At ABC Office we offer 19 different laminating sheet sizes in a 5-mil thickness. They are as follows:

Clear Glossy 5 Mil Laminating Sheets (Standard Sizes)

• Business Card     —      (2 1/4″ x 3 3/4″)
• Credit Card     —    (2 1/8″ x 3 3/8″)
• Driver’s License     —      (2 3/8″ x 3 5/8″)
• IBM     —     (2 5/16″ x 3 1/4″)
• Key Card      —    (2 1/2″ x 3 7/8″)
• Military     —    (2 5/8″ x 3 7/8″)
• School Card     —     (2 1/2″ x 3 5/8″)
• Jumbo     —     (2 15/16″ x 4 1/8″)
• Luggage Tag (w/o Slot)     —     (2 1/2″ x 4 1/4″)
• Luggage Tag (w/ Slot)     —     (2 1/2″ x 4 1/4″)
• Index (File Card)    —      (3 1/2″ x 5 1/2″)
• Circulation Card     —    (3 15/16″ x 5 11/16″)
• Postal Card     —     (3 9/16″ x 5 5/16″)
• Extra Circulation Card     —     (3 15/16″ x 6 7/8″)
• 4″ x 6″     —    (4″ x 6″)

Clear Glossy 5 Mil Laminating Sheets (Large Sizes)

• 6″ x 9″ Laminating Sheets
• 9″ x 11 ½” Laminating Sheets
• 9″ x 14 ½” Laminating Sheets
• 12″ x 18″ Laminating Sheets

As you can see, there are a lot of options out there for 5 mil laminating sheets. Because we buy direct from the source, we are able to offer some of the best prices available online for 5 mil laminating sheets.

You can find our entire selection of laminating sheets here. Please feel free to contact one of our laminating experts at 1-800-658-8788 with answer to any questions you may have about pouch laminators or laminating sheets.

Paper cutters and trimmers come in all shapes, sizes and designs. What makes one trimmer better than another? A lot of it has to do with the build quality, reputation and price. Carl, manufacturer of several different paper trimmers, has developed a reputation for making great trimmers at an affordable price. Is a Carl paper trimmer a good choice for you? Let’s find out.

To begin with, about 90%+ of Carl’s paper trimmers are what’s known as rotary paper cutters. They use a small pizza cutter-like blade that rolls around in a specially designed cutting head. This wheel rolls across paper, cutting it in the process. Rotary paper cutters are known for being accurate and ideal for use in photography, and perfect for scrapbooking purposes. Carl also makes a few different 2 and 3-hole paper punches as well as an entry-level corner rounder.

I would consider Carl to be on par with most entry to mid-level paper cutters, such as Fiskars. The quality isn’t up to high-volume cutting levels, like Rotatrim, but they work great for home and small business use.

The Carl RT-200 / RT-218 and the DC line (DC-210, DC-238 & DC-250) of paper trimmers are by far the most popular trimmers available. These cutters feature interchangeable blades that are extremely popular for crafts and scrapbooking. Some of these interchangeable blades include:

• Perforating Blade
• Scoring Blade

The RT-200 / RT-218 and CC-10 include unique trimming blades such as:

• Deckle Cut Blade
• Shortwave Blade
• Pinking Blade
• Scallop Blade
• Squiggle Blade
• Victorian Blade
• Colonial Blade
• Wave Blade

This combination of different blades, interchangeable blades and overall reliability make our Carl paper trimmers a hit. I even purchased an RT-200 for my wife for her own photo-trimming projects.

So is the Carl line of paper cutters perfect for everyone? I wouldn’t recommend Carl paper trimmers for print shops, copy centers or larger businesses, but I would certainly recommend them for home use, school use, small-business use and other occasional cutting projects. Carl paper trimmers look great and are very portable.

You can find our selection of Carl paper trimmers here and our entire selection of paper cutters and trimmers here.

Coil binding looks good. It’s classy, can be used to bind a wide range of documents and is extremely functional. Coil binding (aka Spiral Binding) is available in two different hole patterns. These are 4:1 pitch (four holes per inch) and 5:1 pitch (five holes per inch). Four-to-one pitch coil is the most popular format used. Why is this? I’ll explain.

Let me go into a few more details about specifically what the differences are between 4:1 pitch and 5:1 pitch coil. I’ll start off with 4:1 pitch coil.

4:1 Pitch Coils (0.25″) – When used on 11″ paper, you typically end up with a total of 43 to 44 holes, depending on how the punching die is aligned. Outside the United States, this pattern is referred to as a 6mm hole pattern. Supplies are available in diameters ranging from ¼” (6mm) up to 1 ¼” (32mm). Some larger diameter coils are available, but less common.

5:1 Pitch Coils - This hole pattern produces about 54-55 holes along the 11″ side of a sheet of paper. Outside the United States this is known as a 5mm hole pattern. Supplies are available in diameters ranging from ¼” (6mm) up to 13/16″ (20mm). While some larger diameter coils are available, they are generally not used or recommended due to the tight hole alignment of the 5:1 pitch pattern.

So why is 4:1 pitch more popular? The 4:1 pitch hole pattern is more widely used because it can be used to bind more paper. The wider gap in the holes makes it possible to bind thicker books without the pages binding together (easier page turns).

Which hole pattern should you use? The hole pattern you use will depend on personal preference and functionality. If you like the tighter hole pattern, and are aware of the 13/16″ diameter limitation, you may want to consider a 5:1 pitch pattern. If you are unsure and don’t have a preference, 4:1 pitch is more versatile and more common.

Oval or Round? – Akiles, one of the best-known manufacturers of coil binding machines, recently released a 4:1 Plus pitch hole pattern (0.248″). These holes are oval in shape. The advantage to the oval shape is that coil supplies are supposed to more easily spin through the holes. While they may be easier for coil insertion, you probably won’t notice a huge difference.

Metal or PVC? While you can buy spiral notebooks that are bound using metal coils, in-house coil binding is done by using spiral PVC coils. PVC coils are now the most prominent and widely used supply used for coil binding. PVC coils are popular because they are available in a wide range of colors, are extremely durable and are easier for use with a spiral binding machine.

I hope this helps clarify coil binding for you. If you still have questions, please feel free to call one of our book binding specialist at 1-800-658-8788.

You can find our entire selection of coil binding machines here and our entire selection of coil binding supplies here.

Summer is now officially upon us and it is getting hot. I don’t know what the temperature is like where you’re at, but it broke 90 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and the AC is cranking out the cold air. So what are you supposed to do if your office, home or building doesn’t have the luxury of an air conditioner? Soleus Air has a few options that may just help you out.

Soleus Air is one of the largest manufacturers of portable air conditioners, window air conditioners and fans for office and home use. Their products have a solid reputation, and for what you get, are reasonably affordable. Soleus air conditioner products use R-410A refrigerant, which has many benefits:

R-410A Refrigerant Benefits

• Lower Energy Consumption
• Increased Product Performance
• No Ozone Depleting Chemicals (No Chlorine)
• Improved Product Reliability
• State of the Art Technology
• Enhanced Heat Pump Performance
• Complies With 2010 Clean Air Act Requirements

Many of Soleus Air’s products act as an air conditioner during the summer and as a heat pump during the winter. Multiple purposes, one simple machine.

Let me highlight just a few of the Soleus Air products that we offer:

• Soleus Air PH3-12R-03 Air Conditioner & Heater – This compact little machine acts as a 4 in 1 machine. You can use it as an air conditioner, a heater, a dehumidifier and a fan. This air conditioner weighs 70 pounds, is portable and includes a window kit for easy venting. Venting can also be routed through a hole in the wall.
• Soleus Air FTY-25 10″ Tabletop, Desk or Wall-Mounted Fan – This nice little fan packs quite a punch. It is fast, extremely stylish and utilizes a special grill that creates an oscillating air effect. It has a total of three different fan speeds and includes a built-in timer. The fan head pivots on 2 points, making it extremely easy to adjust.
• Soleus Air FC1-42R-03 Oscillating Tower Fan – This fan is probably one of my personal favorites. It is affordable (under $100) yet is packed with features. First off, it has a total of 3 fan speeds as well as 3 different wind modes. It oscillates, making it possible to cool down a wide area of space. A built-in timer helps save energy. You know what my favorite feature is? It has a remote control!
• Soleus Air FSM-45 18″ Retro Metal Pedestal Fan – I don’t know what it is about retro designs, but they look great. The FSM-45 has a wide 18″ diameter, a metal design along with an oscillating head. The retro design is awesome and the all-metal construction really holds up well. While it does move a lot of air, it is extremely quiet.

These are just of the Soleus Air products we offer. You can find our entire selection of Soleus Air portable air conditioners here and our entire selection of Soleus Air office & home fans here.

I hope you all have a relaxing, enjoyable and cool summer!

If you’re familiar with paper folding machines, you probably know that they typically use 2 folding plates. Two-plate machine can create common folds like letter folds, Z folds, half folds and more. What if you want to create more than 2 folds in a sheet of paper? You will need to use a 4-plate paper folding machine.

While 4 plate paper folding machines are more rare, they still play an important roll in the folding of paper. A 4-plate machine can create a lot more folds than a standard 2-plate machine. With 4 plates, you can take a large sheet of paper and fold it down into a tightly compact size. While a 2 plate machine typically creates 6-8 common folds, a 4 plate (multi-plate) machine can create up to 16 common folds and multiple custom folds.

Four plate folding machines are typically used to fold instructions down for use in packaging. Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture, an automotive part or opened a box of medicine? These items often include a tightly folded instructional sheet or documentation. These instructions are typically folded down on a 4-plate paper folding machine.

What if you are folding an 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of paper and need it to fit in a box that is only 4″ wide by 5″ long? Many multi-plate folding machines have built in paper scoring wheels. With a 4 plate machine, you can fold the 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of paper down to something that is only 1 or 1 ½” long. This leaves the document at 8 ½” x 1″ in size.

An 8 ½” x 1″ document is too big to fit into a 4″ x 5″ box. For this reason, the built in scoring wheel scores the 8 ½” wide document in half, allowing it to be easily folded in half into something that is 4 ¼” x 1″. That can now fit into your 4″ x 5″ box.

What if you need to create a standard letter fold size, Z fold size or half fold size document? You can disable to of the 4 folding plates, allowing you to treat your 4-plate machine like a 2 plate machine.

Most 4 plate folding machines (aka pharmaceutical folding machines) can handle a wide range of paper. We currently offer two models that can handle paper ranging in size from 2 3/8″ x 2 ¾” up to 11 ¼” x 11 ¾”. Can you imagine taking a 2 3/8″ x 2 ¾” size piece of paper and multi folding it on 4 folding plates? That is small stuff and pretty amazing!

We currently offer two 4 plate folding machines:

Intelli-Fold DF-304C 4 Plate Folding Machine
Intelli-Fold DF-304VC 4 Plate Folding Machine

The biggest difference between these two models is that the DF-304C uses a standard powered conveyor in the exit tray where the DF-304VC uses a powered vertical stacker.

You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

I know this can all be a little confusing, so please feel free to call one of our experts with your questions at 1-800-658-8788. We are more than happy to help you out. Have a great day!

Efficiency, durability and ease-of-use are all features that we should expect in our paper shredders. A good office paper shredder should get the job done quickly without giving you any headaches. One reliable paper shredder that has been on our list of “favorite” shredders for some time is the Dahle 20612EC office paper shredder. This is my review.

Dahle paper shredders have been around for years, and while not widely known among the general public, they have been a huge hit with the government and military. Dahle shredders have developed a solid reputation for being solid machines. These German engineered shredders have all the features most businesses require along with a few additional perks.

The Dahle 20162EC paper shredder is designed for office and departmental use, able to be used by multiple people throughout the day. There are many reasons why you may want to consider this particular model for your company. Here are a few reasons:

Feed Width - The Feed width on the Dahle 20162EC is 10 ¼”. This is a very convenient width for many reasons. This side of shred width can be used to shred envelopes, letter size paper, folded documents and much more. Simply put, it removes a lot of the hassle you find in shredders that only have an 8 ½” wide opening.

Electronic Controls – The controls on the Dahle 20162EC are very intuitive and easy to use. There are only three buttons, with most of the shredder’s operations being automated. These include an on/off, forward and backwards buttons. LED indicator lights let you know when the door is open and when the bag is full. A built-in optical sensor automatically detects paper, turning the shredder on and off as needed.

Chain-Driven Motor – A durable chain-driven motor easily chews through paper. Because this shredder isn’t belt driven, and doesn’t use nylon gears, it easy handles stacks of paper without suffering damage or premature wear. It is very reliable.

Rubber Shock Mounts – Rubber shock mounts have been strategically placed throughout this shredder. These mounts are used to absorb vibrations and noise. Dahle shredders are considered to be some of the quietest paper shredder around.

Security Level 4 – The Dahle 20162EC cuts paper into tiny particles that qualify as a security level 4. These particles measure in at 1/12″ x 9/16″ in size. This is more than enough security for most businesses.

Waste Bin – This shredder has a large 16-gallon bin that holds quite a bit of paper before needing to be changed. This results in fewer back changes on your part.

Overall this shredder is extremely easy to use and easy on the eyes. The sleek design of this shredder allows it to sit next to a wall, near a desk and blend in with existing office equipment.

Even if you aren’t a government or military entity, I highly recommend the Dahle 20162EC for office use. It can easily be used by several people throughout the day, and thanks to a thermally-protected motor, it can be used continuously without the worry of overheating.

You can find the Dahle 20612EC office paper shredder here and our entire selection of Dahle paper shredders here. If Dahle isn’t what you’re looking for, you can find our entire selection of hundreds of paper shredders here.

I recently had a customer ask me if Intelli-Fold and Dynafold where the same company. I can understand the confusion. Many (at least 50%) of the Dynafold machines available are duplicate clones (although built to different standards) than Intelli-Fold paper folders. The parts are even interchangeable on most of our models. I personally consider the Intelli-Fold to be a far better value. I’ll explain why.

As I earlier mentioned, many of the Dynafold machines are clones of Intelli-Fold machines. Here are a few examples:

Intelli-Fold DE-102AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-102AF
Intelli-Fold DE-202AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-202AF
Intelli-Fold DE-322AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-322AF

So why should you consider an Intelli-Fold over a Dynafold? I’ll give you a few good reasons.

• Support – At ABC Office we back up and support every Intelli-Fold paper folder we sell. We can service them, provide you with replacement parts and give you customer support on every model. If you have an issue, call our Service Department at 1-800-658-8788 x129. We are literally more than happy to help you out!
• Quality - While the Dynafold machines and Intelli-Fold machines are visually identical, don’t be tricked into thinking they are the same thing. I’ll be blunt. Dynafold has moved operations to China, which I can only assume is to save money. Intelli-Fold paper folders are still made in the original plant where the classic Dynafold machines used to be built. Intelli-Fold machines, in my opinion, are built to higher-quality standards.
• Decor – Our line of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines use an office-friendly color scheme where many Dynafold machines use a circa 1970s brown and orange color layout.
• Price – Intelli-Fold paper folding machines, built to the highest quality standards, are available to you at a lower price than the Dynafold counterparts. Why pay more when you can get something better for less?

So there you have it! Several good reasons why you should buy and Intelli-Fold paper folding machine over a Dynafold paper folding machine. You can find our entire selection of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines here and all our paper folding machines here.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 to speak with one of our paper folder specialists. They should be able to answer all your questions.

While folding 8 ½” x 11″ (letter size) paper is still the most common paper folded today, many people in the print, advertising and copy center industries need a machine that can handle paper up to 11″ x 17″ in size. About 35% of paper folding machines can handle this size. Which model should you consider buying? I have compiled a list of the most reliable and reputable 11″ x 17″ paper folding machines available.

Before I provide you with a list of “best 11 x 17 folding machines,” you will need to answer a few questions:

Question 1: What kind of paper will you be folding? The thickness and type of paper you will be folding is a huge determining factor when purchasing a machine. Friction-feed paper folding machines cannot handle glossy or coated paper. The rollers often slip on the slick surface, resulting in a paper jam. Paper folding machines are also rated on the thickness ranges of paper they can handle. If you are folding card stock, be sure the machine you purchase can handle it.

Question 2: How much paper will you be folding per day? The folding volume is another important factor when selecting a machine. As with any machine, some are rated for occasional use where others are designed for high-volume continuous use. Most paper folding machines will provide you with a folding speed or duty cycle. This should help you narrow down your choices.

The list I am providing you with are machines that have a proven track record. While many of our machines are “good,” this list is simply a compilation of the best. Products are listed in alphabetical order.

Best Machines for Folding 11″ X 17″ Paper

1. Duplo DF-755 Automatic Folding Machine
2. Intelli-Fold DE-172AF Paper Folding Machine
3. Intelli-Fold DE-202AF Paper Folding Machine
4. Intelli-Fold DE-322AF Paper Folding Machine
5. Formax FD 320 Desktop Folding Machine
6. Formax FD 342 Tabletop Folding Machine
7. Formax FD 38X Automatic Paper Folding Machine
8. Formax FD 390 Air Feed Commercial Folding Machine
9. Martin Yale 959 AutoFolder Paper Folder
10. Martin Yale 959AF Air Feed Paper Folding Machine
11. MBM 207M Paper Folding Machine
12. MBM 307A Paper Folding Machine
13. MBM 407A Automatic Programmable Paper Folder

Keep in mind that while all these machines can handle 11″ x 17″ paper, they may not all be able to fold 11″ x 17″ using all common folds. Some 11″ x 17″ machines can only single fold larger paper. Most, however, can handle all folds.

You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here. Please feel free to call and speak with one of our paper folding experts at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

Guillotine paper cutters, as is the case with any machine with a sharp blade, will eventually become dull. While some brands of guillotines can be re-sharpened, even those cutters’ blades will have to be changed after being re-sharpened 2-3 times. Just because your blade is dull doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. Get a replacement blade!

At ABC Office, we offer replacement blades for all the guillotine paper cutters we offer. This includes models that may be discontinued. We try to keep replacement blades on the corresponding cutter’s product page. We currently sell guillotine cutters made by Martin Yale, Premier, Dahle and Kutrimmer (MBM).

You can find our guillotine paper cutters, by brand, at the following links:

• Martin Yale / Premier Guillotine Cutters
• Dahle Guillotine Cutters
• Kutrimmer (MBM) Guillotine Cutters

Our Service Department is more than happy to answer your questions about replacing guillotine blades. If you don’t see a model we have listed, but need a replacement blade, give us a call! We may still be able to help. You can reach our Service Department by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 or by filling out this form.

If for any reason your cutter has given up the ghost and needs to be replaced, you can find our entire selection of guillotine paper cutters here.

If you’re sitting on the fence regarding purchasing a paper shredder, let me give you 10 good reasons why you need one. While some of these reasons may seem obvious, you may not be familiar with these others.

To begin with, I can attest to the fact that I personally use a shredder at my office and feel it is an important part of any company’s business operations. While shredders are often in abundance at the office, they can also be used to dispose of sensitive material (often in abundance) at home.

Here are 10 good reasons why you should use a paper shredder:

1. It’s the Law - Federal laws such as FACTA (read more) and HIPAA (read more) require that certain types of material be shredded. Failure to do so can warrant some hefty fines and penalties.
2. Protect Your Customers – When disposing of customer, client or patient information, it should be shredded. Information such as a name, date of birth, social security number, address and other personal information can quickly turn into a headache for your customer if it falls into the wrong hands.
3. Protect Your Employees – While we often think of protecting customer information, we often forget about employees. Human Resources and other business departments often handle sensitive employee information that should be properly shredded when no longer needed.
4. Dumpster Diving - It is legal in most US states to go dumpster diving. This is the process of sifting through garbage. While many people are simply looking for junk they consider valuable, other people have more nefarious plans that involve identity theft.
5. Convenience – A shredder, placed next to a desk or in a centralized location, makes disposal of paper documents easy. Because shredded paper is more compact than crumpled paper, fewer bag changes are required.
6. Environmentally Friendly – I have sold paper shredders to customers who had environmentally friendly ideas in mind. Some of these include creating mulch for a garden, bedding for a rodent and packaging for shipped products. These types of shredder uses usually involve a strip cut shredder and non-sensitive documents. Most paper shredders now use energy efficient technology.
7. Saves Money – Shredding sensitive data now will save you a lot of money later down the road. Someone applying for a credit card or a bank account under your name can cost you a lot more later down the road than the price of a shredder now.
8. Information Management - While not all discarded information contains sensitive individual data, many businesses don’t want plans, ideas and other information falling into the wrong hands, such as a competitor. It is also important for many world governments and militaries to shred sensitive data and information.
9. Destroys More than Paper - Many modern shredders destroy more than just paper. Many can be used to shred CDs, DVDs, credit cards, floppy disks and more.
10. It’s Fun! - Let’s all be honest. Shredding can be fun. There’s something the way a shredder works that is both intriguing and enjoyable.

I hope these 10 points have helped you understand just how important it is to use a paper shredder. At ABC Office we offer over a hundred different models of paper shredders. You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here.

Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 for answers to your paper shredder questions. Please feel free to also chime in with any comments or thoughts on paper shredders.