Have you found yourself at Staples or Kinkos spending much more on binding then you should? Plastic comb binding machines are much cheaper than you can even imagine. If you are like most business owners or managers, there's nothing like a binded documents, reports, or other important business reports. In fact they provide a versatile solution to take your business presentation to the next level, not to mention how easy it is to use and operate a binding machine. There are many things to consider when purchasing a plastic comb binding machine.
First you need to decide whether you'd like a manual or electric variations. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but this is the first question that you will need to ask yourself. Electric models allow you to work at a higher rate of speed, with a better consistency and ease of use. However electric plastic binding machines aer expensive and require a dedicated power source. On the other hand, manual devices are much cheaper than their counterparts but require a much longer time to bind, especially if the binder can only process a single or a few pages at a time. However they are much cheaper, and manual variations have been around for some time.
The next thing that's the most important thing to consider is the punching capacity as well as binding ability. This is probably one of the most important things that you need to consider when you are purchasing a plastic comb binding machine. You will need to consider the size of your documents that you are going to be binding and specifically how many pages and how thick you will want it to be. Plastic combs come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, anywhere from 3/16" to 2" (400 pages), so you need to figure out which size you want your documents you need to be. Also and most importantly consider the punching capacity. Some punchers only allow a few pages at a time, which means a 400+ size document could take forever. While if you have the ability to punch multiple pages at a time then you won't have to deal with the time consuming of punching over and over again. Electric machines usually allow a much higher capacity and rate of punching speed.
All binding machines are adaptable for a 8.5 x 11 size paper, as that is the most common sized document. Although if you'd like the compatibility to create different sized documents then you will need to consider that right away. Each machine will vary in its abilities to handle various sized documents. Therefore you must consider to find a binder that allows for throat and disengage dies. This allows you to have half letter documents such as 8.5 x 5.5 and legal sized documents that are 8.5 x 14.
After determining whether you want an electric or manual, and its punching capabilities then you will want to take a look at things like construction and warranty. Machines such as these can be expensive and you will want to consider things like this. Make sure that your device is constructed from metal materials rather than plastics. Plastics have a tendency to break down and become a problem after using the device for some time. Metal devices typically outlast the plastic counterparts by years of use. Also you will want to consider the devices warranty and replacement policy. Some offer a full warranty for several years to come, take a look at the specifics prior to making your decision.
Finally you will want to determine the right brand for you. You will most likely want a good manufacturer that has a reputable name in the industry. First rate companies are Renz, Tamerica, Rhin-o-tuff and even GBC. These are some of the best brands that offer a lifetime of features.
