If you need to laminate posters, signs and banners that fall within a 27″ width, you probably need to use a thermal roll laminator like the Banner Easy-Lam 27″. This laminator has been around for well over a decade and has a good track record with customers. I have used this laminator several times myself and this is my review.

While the American-Made Banner Easy-Lam roll laminator has undergone a few aesthetic changes over the years, it still remains true to what the laminator was originally designed for, an affordable “budget” laminator for schools, copy shops and other businesses. This laminator has an effective laminating width of 27″, which is one of the most popular sizes used today.

Made in the USA, the overall build quality is exceptional. It features higher-than-normal quality electronic components, which includes the motor, switches and wiring. This becomes evident when removing the side protective shell. This laminator also features a durable metal frame as well as a metal shelf, metal mandrels and much more. This is far better than your typical “foreign-made” machines. It even comes with 2 free rolls of 25″ x 100’ 1.5mil film, which is a great deal.

The Banner Easy-Lam is very easy to set up. A toggle switch lets you adjust the laminator between 1.5 mil (0.0015″ gauge) and 3 mil (0.003″ gauge) film. It also features a built-in LED temperature readout that keeps the operator in the know. There really isn’t much “fine tuning” involved in getting this laminator up and running. It only takes about 15 minutes to get up to full operational temperature.

As mentioned earlier, the Easy-Lam is designed for use with 27″ wide film that has a 1″ diameter core. While it can be used with 27″ film, it can also use 25″, 12″ and other smaller width film. Loading the film, unlike many roll laminators is easy. Simply place a mandrel through the top roll, one through the bottom roll, and insert the mandrels back into the machine. The film can then be wound around the heat shoes and tension bars.

While thermal roll laminators can get blazingly hot, the Banner Easy-Lam is designed with safety in mind and even includes an attached safety shield, which keeps the hottest parts covered. While it does still get hot, it is far safer to use than many comparable machines.

The laminator itself measures in at 20″(50.8cm) L x 35″(88.9cm) W x 16″ (40.6cm) H and weighs 68 pounds unboxed. While it isn’t going to win any races, it still operates at a reasonably fast speed of 4.5 feet per minute. It can be plugged into a standard 120volt (60Hz) outlet and draws 1800 watts at its peak. A 200-volt version, however, is available for the same price.

This is a video demo of the Banner Easy-Lam 27″ roll laminator:

What can I say? The Banner Easy-Lam 27″ roll laminator (found here) is a solid machine and I personally recommend it for light to medium-volume use. A slightly upgraded version, known as the Banner Easy-Lam II 27″ (found here) is also available. It is great for schools, copy shops and any business that needs to laminate signs, banners, posters or even several small things at the same time like business cards, menus, letter-size paper and more.

You can find our entire selection of thermal roll laminators here. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions. Have a great day!

If you’re considering purchasing the Akiles WireMac, you may want to see how it works. Having used this machine myself, I can vouch for the fact that it is a solid machine and is easy to use. A few years ago we shot a detailed video demo of the WireMac in use. I will include that video in this article.

Before I show you the video, I would like to explain why the Akiles WireMac is such a popular machine with our customers. To begin with, it has been around for some time and has developed a stalwart reputation with our customers. It is very common for this machine to literally last for years without experiencing any issues.

You can buy the WireMac in two different hole patterns. The most common is the 2:1 pitch, which is two holes per inch. This size is the most common because it can be used to bind the thickest books. The 2:1 pitch hole pattern can bind up to 1 ¼” of paper at a time. The 3:1 pitch, which has a tighter hole pattern (3 holes per inch) can only bind up to 9/16″ of paper. Both patterns look good, and if you don’t need to bind over ½” of paper, either format will work for you.

The Akiles WireMac itself is one of the best-built machines we offer. It features durable metal construction, which includes the innermost components. It features fully disengageable punching pins, an adjustable margin depth and much more.

This is a video demo of the Akiles WireMac in use.

As you can see from this video, the WireMac is a pretty slick machine. Not only does it do a great job binding presentations, reports and booklets, but it looks great too. It is heavy enough to hold its own, yet is light enough to be used on just about any desk or countertop. Simply put, this is a great deal and a great option for binding paper.

You can find the Akiles WireMac binding machine here and our entire selection of wire binding machines here. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

If you own a paper folding machine, or would like to know how one works, you have come to the right spot. I have 11 years experience using folding machines, both friction and air-suction styles. About a week ago I got an opportunity to use an Intelli-Fold DE-172AF and film it. As part of this video demo, I set up an created each of the 6 most common paper folds. This includes the single fold, letter fold, Z fold, double parallel fold, gate fold and half accordion fold.

Creating folds on a paper folding machine is remarkably easy and saves an amazing amount of time. Folds created on a folding machine are far more accurate, aligned and professional. I also appreciate the lack of paper cuts.

Here is a visual representation of each of these folds:

In the video demo, I go through how to set up each of the folding plates for these types of folds. I have found that once you know how to use one paper folding machine, they are all very similar in setup and operation.

This is a video demo of 6 common folds being created on a paper folding machine:

The Intelli-Fold DE-172AF is a manually setup paper folding machine. This means that each of the folding plates have to be set up by hand. This involves loosening the strike plates and sliding them to the appropriate position and re-tightening them. I have found that this only takes about 30-60 seconds. Folds are clearly marked on the folding plates.

Once you know how to use the DE-172AF, you shouldn’t have a problem using other folding machines like the Dahle 10560, MBM 93M, Martin Yale 1217A and any other machine that uses manually adjustable folding plates.

One feature that I really like about the DE-172AF is the powered exit conveyor. This conveyor helps to slow down paper as it leaves the machine and also helps to keep paper neatly organized and stacked. This, in my opinion, is a nice advantage over other machines that simply spit the paper out into a catch tray. This is also nice for keeping paper in alphabetical order.

So who uses a paper folding machine? Many businesses use them for mailing purposes. I have also seen many people use them to fold brochures, booklets, fliers and promotional material.

At ABC Office we currently over 45 different friction-feed machines. You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Because we literally have over 30 years experience (company was created in 1980), we have some of the best-trained and skilled paper folding specialists available. Please feel free to call one of them at 1-800-658-8788 with any folding machine questions.

If you use, own or are planning to purchase a comb binding machine, you probably want to know how to use it. Because many of the binding machines out there are made out of the country, the “English” manuals are often very difficult to follow. Many people simply lose their manuals. We recently filmed a “How to Use a Comb Binding Machine” video demo.

To begin with, this demo covers the Intell-Bind IB400 comb binder from Intelli-Zone. This is because the IB400 is a fairly simply and common style of binding machine. You punch the paper, open the combs, insert the combs through the paper and you’re done (in very simplified terms). Once you know how to use this binding machine, you’ll easily be able to use a GBC, Fellowes, Akiles, Renz or other brand of binding machine.

While there are a few design differences between machines, the are almost all the same in operation. Hopefully this video helps you set up your own machine.

How to Use a Comb Binding Machine Video Demo

As you can see, the process is very simple. I have found that it takes about a minute to bind a basic book. The speed varies, depending on the machine’s capabilities, and electric machines are faster. There is definitely no reason to be intimidated by a comb binding machine. They can be used to bind presentations, reports, books and much more. The spines are available in a wide range of sizes and colors.

If for any reason you need a new manual for your comb binding machine, or if this demo does not help with your machine, please feel free to speak with our Service Technician at 1-800-658-8788 x129.

We also offer a great selection of binding machines. You can find our entire selection of new comb binding machines here and all our binding machines here. Good luck and happy binding!

Laminating machines, in particular pouch laminators, are far easier to use that you might think. Many people get frustrated by all the dials and buttons. Don’t worry. You can have your laminator set up in less than 60 seconds with these easy-to-use instructions.

To start with, just keep in mind that a laminator is simply a glorified heater with a motor. All a laminator does is melt glue and apply pressure for sticking it to paper, photos, cards and other documents. I have spoken with people that went extremely retro and simply used an iron and a towel to laminate documents. While I don’t recommend the iron approach (although some people swear by it), it really is that easy.

Here are 5 easy steps to get you laminator up and running.

• Step 1 – Plug in the machine and set the temperature. If there is no temperature dial, set the switch to the pouch thickness you are using. Common pouch thicknesses include 3, 5, 7 and 10 mils. The higher the number, the thicker the pouch.
• Step 2 – Turn on the motor.
• Step 3 – Insert your document into the pouch folder and then place it in a carrier folder.
• Step 4 – Place your pouch into the machine and wait for it to run through.
• Step 5 – Remove your document and repeat the process (if needed).

Sometimes seeing something in action is easier than following a step-by-step list of instructions. Here is a video demo of a pouch laminator:

While there are minor differences between pouch laminators, they all pretty much operate in a similar manner. I have personally found that once you know how to use one, the rest are all pretty easy to figure out. At ABC Office we offer some of the best prices and selection on pouch laminators. You can find our entire selection of laminating machines here.

Whether you are making your own chocolates or need a way to package boxes of chocolates, you are probably going to need some sort of retail packaging. While there are several ways you can package chocolates, one of the most popular methods is by using shrink wrap. Which kind of shrink wrap machine is best for packaging chocolates and is there any risk of the chocolates melting? I will answer these questions and more in this article.

Having been in the packaging industry for over a decade know, I have seen people package everything from pizzas and baskets to soap and books. Another popular item is chocolates. This involves chocolates in a box or unboxed. There are a couple of different approaches you can take to shrink wrapping chocolate. These involve I-bar sealers and L-bar sealers. The machine you use depends on the volume you will be packaging. Here area  few benefits of both:

I-Bar Sealers – I-bar sealers (aka straight bar sealers) involve a single cutting bar. This bar is pulled down to cut film around an object, usually requiring 2 passes. These systems can be used with shrink bags, but are typically used with centerfold shrink film. Simply insert your chocolate bar or box, cut the film around the package and sealing the film using a heat gun. These machines are ideal for a few dozen to a few hundred packages a day.

Here is a video demo of an I-bar sealer in use:

L-Bar Sealers – L-bar sealers use an L shaped sealing bar that completely seals chocolate in film in a single pass. These types of sealers can be used in conjunction with a heat gun or a heat tunnel. Many modern L-bar sealers incorporate a built-in heat tunnel that seals and shrinks the film in a single pass. These machines are ideal for a few hundred to a few thousand packages per day. Some of the higher-end machines can package tens of thousands a day.

Here is a video demo of an L-bar sealer in use:

Which type of film should you use? There are two primary types of shrink wrap film used in packaging. One is PVC and the other is Polyolefin. The only film that is safe for use with food is Polyolefin. This means if you are packaging chocolate, you should use Polyolefin film (aka Poly film). This is especially important if the film will be directly touching the chocolate.

Will the chocolates melt? Many people thing that since heat is used in the shrink wrap process that it will melt the chocolate. This is usually not the case. L-bar sealers, using an integrated or built-in heat tunnel will rarely if ever cause the chocolate to melt. The heat process takes just seconds and is too little time to do any damage.

I-bar sealers, which use a heat gun, do run a higher risk of melting the chocolate. While it rarely ever happens, chocolate can begin to melt if the heat gun is left on any one spot for too long. It is my observation that I-bar sealers (with heat gun) will only melt the chocolate if human error is involved. If the gun is left on any one spot for too long, it will usually damage the shrink wrap as well. Heat guns take just seconds to shrink film, so you really shouldn’t run into any issues, especially if the chocolates are in a box.

At ABC office we have sold hundreds of machines to people packaging chocolates and they always end up happy with the end results. If you do have questions, or have unique chocolate packaging needs, please feel free to speak with one of our packaging specialists at 1-800-658-8788. You can find our entire selection of shrink wrap machines here and shrink wrap film here.

Are you binding a cookbook, an instruction manual or perhaps even a photo album? One book binding format you should consider using is coil binding. Coil binding, often referred to as spiral binding, is the fastest growing binding format today. There are many reasons for this and I would like to cover all the pros and cons. I would also like to show you, with a video, how a coil binding machine works.

Coil binding is a format that uses tiny coils that look a lot like springs (found here). Other than the fact that coil binding coils are made from PVC plastic, they look almost identical to the spirals used in traditional spiral notebooks. PVC coils are available in different diameters, based on the thickness of the book you are binding, and come in a wide range of colors.

I personally think that coil binding looks very professional. I have personally used coil binding to bind instructional booklets and I have in my possession several cookbooks (family and neighborhood) that are bound in coil. Coil binding machines are affordable and can even be used at home. Popular brands include Akiles, Intelli-Bind and Tamerica.

I would like to now go over the pros:

• Durability – Because coil-binding elements are made from PVC plastic, they are extremely durable. The hold up well with continued use, easily survive being dropped and can even be stepped on without suffering any damage. Durability alone is a huge reason to consider using coil binding.
• Color – I have already mentioned this earlier, but coil binding comes in a variety of different colors. Popular colors include red, white, brown, green, blue, black and clear.  Custom colors are also available.
• Page Turns – A book bound in coil is extremely easy to use. The round holds, combined with round-shaped elements, make page turns extremely easy. Pages can be wrapped around a full 360 degrees and pages lay extremely flat.
• Speed – Binding a book with coil is extremely easy, especially if you have a machine that has an electric coil inserter. Simply punch the holes, insert the coils and crimp off the excess coil.

These are what I would consider to be the cons:

• Modifications – You cannot add or remove pages to a coil bound document without cutting off the end of the coil and spinning the coil back out. The coil cannot be re-used. If you are removing or adding pages, a new coil would have to be used. On the bright side, this makes coil binding semi tamper proof.
• Stability – Because coils are floppy and unstable, they don’t provide a lot of added stability to a book like comb or Velobind does. Your books stability is dependent entirely on the pages being bound. This isn’t a huge deal for most people.

Here is a video demo of a coil binding machine in use:

In conclusion, coil binding is one of my favorite formats. It looks good, is functional and can be used for binding books as simple as a cookbook or as professional as a business proposal. You will find coil binding machines in schools, churches, homes and businesses.

You can find our entire selection of coil binding machines here. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

Have you ever wondered how large pallets stacked with products are packaged with that saran wrap plastic? That is done by using what’s known as a stretch wrapper. These machines use wide rolls of a material that is very similar to saran / stretch wrap that helps keep multiple items in place, on a pallet, while in shipping. One popular stretch wrapper is the PP-981 (LP and HP). I am including a video demo of this machine in use in this article.

While stretch wrapping can be applied to a pallet of goods manually, the process takes some time and isn’t ideal for high-volume shipping in a warehouse. It is also difficult for an inexperienced person to evenly and correctly manually apply stretch wrap. There is also always the element of human error.

Automatic stretch / pallet wrappers spin the pallet around while a stretch wrap dispenser moves up and down, evenly applying film. The PP-981 is designed to semi automatically apply film using a mechanical pre-stretch applicator. Pre-stretching the film allows the film to better hold things together.

The PP-981 is designed to work with pallets (and goods) measuring in up to 3,000 pounds and up to 85″ high. The turntable that spins the pallet around has a fixed speed. The turntable is powered by a chain drive, which is extremely durable and it sits on 14 sets of double roller supports. The turntable is 59″ in diameter and has a non-slip surface.

This is a video demo of the GHL PP-981:

As you can see in this video, the entire process is very automated and very efficient. The PP-981 itself features a 10 program memory for custom stretch wrapping jobs. The PP-981 is available with a ramp (LP version) or without a ramp (HP version).

You can find the GHL PP-981 pallet wrapper here and our entire selection of pallet wrapping machines here.

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense guillotine cutter that creates straight and professional cuts, the Dahle 561 premium guillotine might be a great option. This cutter is all metal and features the latest in cutting technology, including many safety features. I had a chance to play around with this cutter a few weeks ago and we shot a video demo.

I have never been a huge fan of the old wood-base guillotine cutters. I have too many memories of trying to cut a school project, which I had spent hours on, only to have it create the most wobbly and crooked cut you ever saw. Guillotine cutters have come a long way since those days. Both Kutrimmer and Dahle manufacture the best guillotines available. Nobody else even comes close.

The Dahle 561 has a 14 ½” cutting length. This is more than enough for most people who are cutting paper and photographs. While the cutter itself isn’t terribly heavy, it is made out of all-metal construction. The only plastic components are the handle, guard shield and guide. The blade, blade, cutting arm and clamp are all metal.

This is a quick video demo of the Dahle 561 Premium Guillotine in use:

I have cut stacks of standard copy paper and card stock with this trimmer. It was all extremely easy to do, the cuts were straight and accurate and I was personally very pleased with the results. It has a 35 sheet cutting capacity (20 lb paper), which is very impressive for a guillotine in this price range.

The Dahle 561 features a German Solingen Steel blade. If you aren’t familiar with Solingen steel, it is considered to be the best steel available for knives and cutting blades. There is no need to think about the clamp. It automatically actuates when you pull down the cutting arm. The extremely sharp blade, combined with a very solid clamp, keeps the cuts where they need to be.

The base on this cutter, which is metal, features a nice printout of common cuts. The top and side of the cutter also features a ruler in inches and centimeters, which really helps square things up.

You can find the Dahle 561 premium guillotine here and our entire selection of Dahle and Kutrimmer guillotine trimmers here.

When it comes to handling money, counting individual bills by hand simply doesn’t make any sense. Human error alone can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars over a long period of time. It also costs money to pay someone to count money. Most businesses, banks and other organizations, that handle money on a daily basis, use bill counters like the Cassida 85. We recently got a chance to break one out of a box and film a video demo.

Once we had the box in hand we tore into it. We removed the Cassida 85 and it pretty much worked right out of the box. There was no special assembly required. I have used dozens of different bill counters over the years and this one is very similar in setup and operation.

One thing that sets the Cassida 85 apart from much of the competition is the build quality. While a lot of the shell is made from plastic, it is built on a sturdy metal frame and features a lot of metal components. Even the plastic that is used feels and looks to be of a higher grade than what you usually see.

Money can be dirty, and much of it contains trace elements of narcotics, dust and a lot of other stuff you really don’t want to inhale. The Cassida 85 uses an air filtration system that helps keep the air clean while it flies through bills. This is also extremely nice for those of you who suffer from allergies.

Here is a video demo of the Cassida 85 in action:

The Model 85 is available in three different configurations. You can buy it as a standard counter, with ultraviolet counterfeit detection capabilities (Model 85 U) and with magnetic and ultraviolet counterfeit detection (Model 85 UM).

These are all 3 versions of the Cassida 85:

• Standard Cassida 85
• Cassida 85 U (Ultraviolet)
• Cassida 85 UM (Ultraviolet / Magnetic)

With variable speed counting, the Model 85 can count bills at speeds of 900, 1200 and 1500 bills per minute. Compared to the competition, this is screaming fast. It can also batch count and has a huge hopper that can hold up to 1000 new bills or 500 used bills. Few money-counting machines have this kind of capacity.

You can find our entire selection of bill counters here and counterfeit bill detectors here.