Unibind binding is one of the easiest binding methods around. However, if you remember a few simple tips binding can be even easier. Here are five simple tips for binding documents with a Uni-Bind binding system.

1. Make sure that your pages are completely flush and square before putting them into the cover. If the book block of your document isn’t completely flush before you put the pages into the cover you won’t be happy with the results. For short run jobs it is easy to simply tap the pages of your presentations on a hard surface to square up the pages. However, for large jobs and high volume users it is definitely worthwhile to invest in a paper jogger.
2. Whenever possible, try to use the full capacity of your Unibind machine. Amazingly, most users that I see binding documents with Unibind are only binding one book at a time. One of the great things about this binding system is that you can bind multiple documents at a time up to the full capacity of your machine (36mm for an XU138). If you have a larger multiple heater unit, you can bind even more documents at one time.
3. Give your books lots of time to cool. Technically, you should be able to handle your documents and open them within about five minutes. However, it is advisable to wait at least 15 minutes before opening your newly bound books. In fact, you should take your freshly heated book and gently tap the spine of the book on a countertop or hard surface then place it in the cooling rack. The document doesn’t need a full 15 minutes in the cooling rack (just enough time to set the glue). After a few minutes just take the documents out of the cooling rack and set them aside. They will be completely set and ready to use in about fifteen minutes.
4. Make sure that you pick the right size of spine for your documents. This is especially important since Unibind spines are made of steel and are not pliable. If you choose too small a spine for your reports you will discover that you are unable to fit the pages into the spine. If you choose too large a spine, the bind can be sloppy and the pages can potentially work themselves loose. If in doubt, it is always better to use a slightly larger spine than you need. However, you never want to be off by more than a few millimeters or it will be noticeable to your end users. To help you choose the right size spine for your documents, you might want to consider investing in a Unibind Spine measurer. It makes the spine size selection process much easier.
5. Be careful not to touch the spines of your documents while they are hot. The steel spine used with your Unibind covers is an excellent conductor of heat. This is great for binding your documents. However, it means that the spines of your documents get very hot. It is important that you are very careful not to touch the spine of the documents when they are hot since it is easy to burn yourself.

    

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   OPUSalbums.com is indebted to Jeff McRitchie of MyBinding.com, Hillsboro, OR, USA.  Jeff may be contacted via
    sales@mybinding.com or +1-800-944-4573   www.MyBinding.com