- 1). Check that the pitch of your spiral binding coils matches the pitch of your plastic coil binding machine. Each machine is made to operate at only one pitch. If you have a 4:1 pitch machine, the coils you use must also be 4:1.
- 2). Decide what diameter of coil works best for the book to be bound. Some machines have a coil selector, a measurement gauge against which the stack of pages can be laid to give you the correct size. Alternatively, you can measure the stack of pages with a ruler and choose a coil that is about 2 millimeters larger than your measurement, to allow for free movement of the bound pages.
- 3). Punch holes in your paper. Many binding machines have built-in manual paper punches. Set the adjustment guide for the size paper you are using. Some machines also allow you to choose a margin depth setting. Square the sheets of paper to be punched, and insert them into the punch, with the edges of the paper flush against the size adjustment guide and the back of the punch. With the paper in position, pull down on the punch handle to punch the holes. Repeat until all the pages are punched.
- 4). Square the entire stack of punched sheets, including a cover and back page, if you have either or both, and line up all the holes.
- 5). Pick up a spiral binding coil and manually work it through the first two or three holes at the right-hand end. Lay the punched edge of the stack against the rubber rollers at the front of the machine, and press the foot pedal to activate the rollers, which spins the plastic coil through the rest of the holes. Use a light touch so the coil does not spin all the way through and out the other end.
- 6). Crimp the ends of the coil using coil crimping pliers. Hold the pliers with the red dot facing toward the book. Crimp the coil, while cutting off any excess length in the process. This prevents the coil from spinning back out of the holes.
Steps
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