The Basics of Thermal Bindings

Thermal binding is one of the fastest and easiest binding styles. Thermal Binding goes by many names; Unibind, Coverbind, Glue Binding and the general term Thermal Bind. You can bind both soft and hard cover books with Thermal Bindings. Below we have some general guidelines to keep in mind to get the most out of your Thermal Binding Machine.  

• First, make sure that you have the right size thermal binding cover for your documents. Too many pages in a cover will result in the first and last pages not binding securely. As such, it is better to choose a cover that is slightly larger rather than smaller.
• Next, jog your papers thoroughly. They need to be as straight as you can possibly make them when you place the pages into the cover. Just before you place the entire project into the binding machine, fan them with your finger to break up any pages that might be stuck together. Square up the pages neatly in the thermal binding cover, ensuring that the first and last pages are in contact with the adhesive. Double check the front page especially, as static electricity can make it stick to the cover instead of the glue. If you spend a few extra minutes on this step, you can increase the quality of your finished product.
• Once the binding cycle has finished, remove your finished product and firmly tap the spine on a hard surface. This helps to ensure that the pages are securely lodged into the hot binding adhesive and that your binding will stay in place for years to come.
• Wait until your book has cooled completely and the adhesive has set before you open it; about three to five minutes should be enough time. Allowing the glue to harden is vital to ensure a solid, secure bind.
• If you are binding Hard Cover books, we recommend getting a Hard Cover Crimper. This machine will ensure that your books have a nice squared off and tight spine. Simply put the bound Hard Cover book into this machine to cool off.

  The last three steps may give the impression that binding multiple books will take a large amount of time; this is not the case. With most thermal binding machines, you can bind multiple documents at once. And of course, as soon as one is removed to cool, another one can begin the binding process. If you’re looking to bind higher quantities of books, a machine that can handle multiple projects at once will help you to increase your productivity and time efficiency.