| Spiral coil binding is one of the most simple, effective | | | | that the red dot faces the ceiling. Align the pliers and |
| and useful of all the binding methods. A spiral-coil bound | | | | squeeze. This will both cut the plastic coil and crimp it, |
| document opens flat, which is very handy for use in | | | | preventing the wire from uncoiling. It is important to |
| the copy machine, and the pages flip all the way | | | | make sure that you crimp the coil close to the last hole. |
| around, for easy reading and handling. Here is a guide | | | | However, crimping it too close can make it difficult to |
| to get you started with the world of spiral binding. Spiral | | | | turn the pages. You may need to try a few |
| coil binding is one of the most simple, effective and | | | | documents out before you get the hang of things. |
| useful of all the binding methods. A spiral-coil bound | | | | If you want to save some time, you may want to set |
| document opens flat, which is very handy for use in | | | | up your auto-crimpers in either a single or double |
| the copy machine, and the pages flip all the way | | | | configuration. The setup can be a little tedious, but you |
| around, for easy reading and handling. Many colors of | | | | may find that the process runs a little more efficiently, |
| coil are available, increasing the diversity of this popular | | | | especially for longer production runs. Here are a few |
| binding style. Here is a guide to get you started with | | | | other quick tips to help you get started with coil binding. |
| the world of spiral binding. | | | | - It is not recommended to use the spiral coil method |
| 1. First of all, it's important to select the proper size of | | | | on documents that are over an inch and a quarter |
| coil binding for the thickness of your document. If you | | | | thick. The reason is that the binding simply does not |
| choose an element that is too small the pages will not | | | | function as well as it is supposed to at those |
| turn freely. If you choose an element that is too large, | | | | thicknesses. If you do need to bind larger documents |
| the binding may look sloppy or awkward. You want to | | | | with coil you may want to consider an oval hole |
| choose your supplies so that there is approximately 1 | | | | pattern. |
| 8" - 1/4" of room in the element for the pages to turn. | | | | - Some spiral coil inserters come in a wheel |
| 2. Start the spiral coil binding. Most spiral coil machines | | | | configuration. While more difficult to learn, it can be |
| have a channel in which you can put the spine to get | | | | faster once the user has gained the proper |
| the coil started. You will need to get the coil started in | | | | experience. Typically smaller-volume users will have a |
| the holes by hand, before you let the machine take | | | | better time with roller-type coil inserters. These wheel |
| over. You will want to hand-spin the element into the | | | | type coil inserters are typically used with 36 inch coil |
| holes at least an inch. After the machine has gotten | | | | lengths. |
| started, you will want to hold the binding by the rollers, | | | | - Because it is sold by the inch, spiral binding is a very |
| and apply a gentle pressure against the roller as it | | | | popular choice for those who need to bind documents |
| goes through. | | | | of irregular sizes on a regular basis. You can get coil in |
| 3. Once the wire has spun through the length of the | | | | virtually any length up to 36". This makes it a great |
| document you will want to crimp the edges so there | | | | choice for 17 inch documents, legal sized documents |
| will not be any slippage. To do this, you will want to use | | | | and even half letter sized training materials. |
| cut-and-crimp pliers. For your safety, and in order for | | | | - Spiral binding comes in over sixty colors, making it a |
| the pliers to work correctly, it is important that you | | | | great choice for design houses or advertising agencies |
| always use the pliers with your right hand, making sure | | | | looking to match a favored client's logo colors. |
