Have you ever thought about binding your own documents? If you haven’t, you should because there are many benefits to doing so. Here are five reasons why you should bind your own documents:
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Binding your own documents is pretty easy to do, but it can be tricky if you need to put together lengthy books. This is because the binding machines on the market all have a certain binding capacity. In other words, each device can only handle a certain number of pages per cycle. However, there are several ways you can bind thick documents – you just need to know what they are and then make sure you have the right device and supplies. Let’s take a look at how to bind thick documents.

1.) Screw posts. Screw posts are pretty much what they sound like: they’re metal implements that look like screws or nails. These supplies are sometimes referred to as Chicago screws and they’re usually made out of durable aluminum or elegant brass. They come in several different lengths and can be used to bind documents that are up to 4” long. There are also extenders to use if your work is thicker than that. The only special equipment you need to use screw posts is a hole punch or paper drill. Just punch a few holes in your documents and insert the screws. It’s easy and it doesn’t take long at all. (Here’s a quick tip: the punching part will take less time if you use a paper drill to process large stack of paper. These machines can literally drill through hundreds of sheets at a time.)

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Reading is a great pastime and it’s one that has been enjoyed for years. Although hardcover books are durable and look great in a bookcase, many people prefer paperbacks. There are several reasons for this. For one thing, paperback books are almost always more affordable than hardcovers. Also, paperback books are lightweight so they’re perfect for reading on the go. However, paperbacks aren’t as durable as hardcovers and they can fall apart over time. This Hub will give you pointers on how to make your books last longer, including some instructions so you can repair them with a thermal binding machine if any pages fall out. Let’s get started!

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School budgets have been taking hits for what seems like quite a while now and things have only gotten worse since the economic crisis hit. Consequently, more and more schools are having to adjust their budgets and look for ways to save money. Perhaps yours is one of them. If so, one way to cut costs is by binding your own yearbooks. This will save you the major cost of having a third party print them and it’s also a good way to get your students involved in an extracurricular activity that will look good on their college applications. While there are many different binding methods available, thermal binding tends to be the best when it comes to making yearbooks. This is because it’s fast, easy, and will give the books secure bindings that will last throughout the years. Here are a few tips you can use so you and your students can successfully bind your yearbooks.

1. Choose a good thermal binding machine. If your school doesn’t already have a thermal binding device, you’re going to need one. The good news is that there are some really terrific ones on the market from reputable manufacturers including Pro-Bind, Unibind, and Fellowes. You’ll want to look for a machine that warms up quickly, can bind more than one book at a time, and is durably built. It also doesn’t hurt to look for a device with a good warranty so you can save yourself money in case any problems arise.
2. Order your covers. After you’ve decided on a machine, you’ll need to order your binding covers. Thermal binding covers come in varying thicknesses with the largest ones being 2” thick. Many colors are available including black, blue, and red, and both softcover and hardback varieties can be purchased. Chances are you’ll want to customize the covers at least a little bit. Luckily, they can be be foil-stamped or even offset printed. In order to keep costs low, keep in mind that the more the covers need to be customized, the more expensive they’ll be.
3. Get ready to bind. One way to lower costs is by printing out the yearbook pages on your school’s photocopier or laser printer. This will also allow you to choose if you want the books’ pages to be in color or gray scale. Once the pages are all printed out, you and your students can get ready to bind. Make sure the binding machine is turned on so it has ample time to warm up, if necessary. You can then stick the pages of your documents in the thermal binding covers. Just make sure all of the pages are flush and in contact with the adhesive in the spine. This ensures the documents will be securely bound.
4. Bind your yearbooks. Now that you’re ready, the yearbooks can be bound. Just stick them in your thermal binding machine and when they’re done, move them to the device’s cooling rack. Depending on the size of your device and the thickness of the books, you’ll probably be able to bind more than one at a time so you can get the job done faster. A typical thermal binding cycle only lasts a couple of minutes but it can add up when your have a lot of documents to assemble. You can have the students work in shifts so that they don’t get fatigued.
5. Finish things up. After the yearbooks have been bound, make sure they cool off for a few minutes. When the time is up, you can tap each book against a hard surface to settle the contents. At that point, you’re all done! Feel free to step back and admire the great job you and your students did.

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The new year is only a couple of weeks old, but it’s never too early to think about what you want to accomplish in 2011. Since it’s a new year, it’s time to think about the things that would enhance your life and make you grow as a person. These are a little bit different from resolutions in that they’re things you should do if you want to – not because you feel like you need to. It could be going back to school, doing yoga, learning how to knit, or whatever else you’re interested in. This Hub will give you some ideas about what you could do in 2011.

• Get organized. One of the best things you can do for yourself is get organized. Living in a cluttered space can be stressful and it can cause you to spend more time on cleaning than you want to just because the mess is so big. If you get organized and stay organized, cleaning will be faster and easier. You can start in whatever room of the house you like: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc. Throw or give away anything you haven’t used in the past 6 months. (You can hold on to seasonal items – such as Christmas decorations – if you wish.) If you have a book, CD, or DVD collection, sort your titles and display them on a shelf or in a case. Wish the dishes and organize the cupboards so you can easily access those items you regularly use, such as your favorite coffee mug. And do make sure you take time to get your documents in order, perhaps by using a binder or file box. You should have a good paper shredder on-hand when you do this so you can safely dispose of any documents containing personal information. Shredding the documents will cut down on clutter, as well as reduce your risk of identity theft.
• Start reading more. If there’s one thing that Americans don’t do enough of it, it’s reading. Sure, most people read e-mails, news articles, and Facebook updates on a daily basis. (You probably do, too.) But when was the last time you sat down with a classic novel or an intriguing work of non-fiction? If you can’t remember, make reading a priority in 2011. Reading is one pastime that can be continually rewarding. It can fire up your imagination, give you something to think about, and supply you with conversation topics. You can read alone in your easy chair or in a coffee shop. Or you could even join a book club to meet fellow readers. Best of all, there’s no shortage of reading material out there and new books are released every week. So visit your favorite bookstore or local library to pick up some titles.
• Try something creative. It’s human nature to express ourselves, so if you don’t already have a creative pastime, why not try one out this year? The choices are endless. You could try painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, scrapbooking, or even writing. If you have a computer, you could use various graphics programs to create your own digital art. Or you could drag out that electric guitar that’s been stashed in your closet for a few years. Photography is a lot of fun and thanks to digital cameras, it’s easier than ever to take great pictures. If you take some that you particularly like, you can make your own photobooks using a thermal binding machine. They make great gifts and will give you a way to show off your work.
• Go back to school. Continuing your education can be a great thing to do as long as you have the time and determination to do it. You could go to school to be exposed to new ideas or pick up a new skill, such as webpage design. If you started a degree years ago, you can continue your studies so you can get your Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree. Or you could train for a new career all together. You may even qualify for financial aid so you don’t need to foot the entire bill yourself. If you live in an urban area, there’s bound to be a state university or community college nearby, so be sure to look into it. And get some three-ring binders and index tabs so you can keep your assignments organized.
• Get moving. Exercising regularly is an important part of taking care of yourself. You don’t even need to do it to lose weight. Exercising can help relieve stress, give your mood a boost, and help you build strength. Plus, depending on the type of exercise you choose, it can be fun. Some of the activities you can try include yoga, martial arts, dance, hiking, tennis, and so on. You could even just start taking walks around the block. There are a lot of things to do that can help you stay active. Give one of them a try.
• Adopt a cat or a dog. If you don’t already have a pet – or if you want to add to your menagerie – adopting a cat or a dog is a wonderful thing to do. Studies have shown that looking after a critter can reduce loneliness and lower blood pressure, so you’ll be making yourself healthier in addition to saving a life. Plus, cats and dogs can provide hours of amusement, they offer unconditional love, and there are so many of them that need loving homes. Just make sure you have everything you need before your take your new best friend home. That will help ensure that the transition from the animal shelter to his/her forever home is a smooth one. (If you’re not a cat or dog lover, perhaps there’s another type of animal you’re interested in. Fish are great for apartments and there are also many bunnies, gerbils, hamsters, birds, and reptiles that need homes.)

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