Plastic combsOne of the best and most popular bookbinding methods is plastic comb binding. If you’re new to this method, there are three things you need to know about it. Check them out:

  1. Plastic combs come in a number of different colors and sizes. The colors include red, black, and blue, and sizes range from 3/16” to 2” in diameter. The largest combs can bind up to 425 pages, so this is a great binding method for both short and long documents.
  2. Most comb binding machines are compatible with letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”), which is obviously a standard document size. If you want to use smaller or larger sheets of paper – such as legal-size (8.5” x 14”) – you’re going to need a machine with disengageable punching dies and an open throat. These features ensure that there won’t be half-punched holes on the edges of your paper.
  3. There are two ways to make your machine stay in great shape. First, empty the chip tray on a regular basis. Second, never punch more than one plastic cover at time. These actions will keep the punching dies sharp and extend the life of your machine.

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