I will often have customers call me to ask whether you can run Unibind covers in a thermal binding machine and whether you can run thermabind covers in a Unibind machine. Unfortunately, thermal machines simply do not get hot enough to properly activate the glue in a Unibind cover. However, it is possible to use your Unibind machine along with thermal covers or with covers that you have created yourself with thermal glue strips. Here is how:

Every new Unibind binding machine is shipped with a small metal washer that was used to test the machine. Some people have suggested that you use this washer to activate your Unibind machine when binding a thermal binding cover. However, in my opinion this is not safe. The metal washer will become extremely hot and can be extremely dangerous to handle. This is especially true since you will have to remove and replace the washer to reactivate the machine.

Instead of using a washer, why not simply use a Unibind cover that you have laying around. Chances are, you probably have a presentation bound with Unibind that you don’t need any more . Or you can just have us send you a sample Unibind cover with your thermal covers.

Once you have your Unibind cover simply insert it into the Unibind machine along with your thermal cover and the Unibind cover will activate the heating element on the Unibind machine. Simply let the Unibind machine go through its heating cycle and then move the documents over to the cooling compartment (it is always a good idea to drop thermal bound documents on the table once while they are still hot to ensure the pages are securely seated in the glue).

You don’t even have to wait for the Unibind cover to cool to use it again. Simply place the cover back into the heating compartment along with another thermal cover and you can repeat the process. It is as easy as that.

Using this concept it is possible to use your Unibind machine to create all sorts of documents, presentations, proposals and books with the look and feel that you want. Using thermal glue strips you can create magazines, short run perfect bound books or high end proposals. You can even use standard thermal binding covers with a linen paper spine and a clear front to add a different look and feel to your documents. Try it out today.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, binding supplies, binding covers and more.

The distinctive look of GBC / Ibico Strip Binding has made it one of the most sought after binding methods. This unique method of securing loose pages enables the user to present a prestigious image with either elegant soft covers or boardroom quality hard covers. The temper resistant “hot knife” process heat seals and rivets the binding comb and receiving strip together, increasing the security of confidential documents so no unauthorized additions or deletions can be made. This binding method portrays an image of importance, which assures it will be read and acted upon. In addition, it provides the maximum in versatility in that only three different sized combs allow for binding documents from as few as two sheets to up to 3″ of material. This reduces inventory requirements.

The cover supplies for GBC / Ibico strip binding systems range from economical “smooth” paper stock to high image, coated “regency” paper stock and boardroom quality Velobind / SureBind Hardcases.

Pick up a Velobind comb (that’s the one with the pins). Notice the comb has ten pins and the Velobind has eleven pins. These pins are fed through holes in the document to be bound and into the receiving strip where the unused portion of the comb is severed and the heating mechanism heat seals it to form a rivet. The comb also has a pin that is longer than the others. This will be discussed in the equipment operating section.

Pick up both styles of receiving strips, and look at the grainy (textured) side of the strip. This side should always be placed so that it will appear on the outside of the back cover of the document. This gives the document a finished appearance. Turn the perforated strip over, and look at the inside. Notice the Velobind strip has thirteen holes. The two small holes at either end are “locator” holes, which are used to align the strip on the VeloBind unit during binding. The other eleven holes match the pins of the comb strip. The strip has one locator pin and ten comb pin holes. Place the comb strip and receiving strip together to see how they fit.

Strip Binding is available in comb thicknesses for documents 1″, 2″ and 3″ thick. They are available in stock lengths to fit documents with binding edges of 8-1/2″, 11″ and 14″.

SureBind strips are manufactured on GBC / Ibico 19 ring Plastic Binding centers, which means that a document that has been punched with 19-holes can be bound using a strip.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on topics such as strip binding machines, binding supplies and many more.

Many of us may have been there and have done it several times but still the pressure remains when we are asked or volunteered by colleagues to make a presentation before a boss or before a very important client. It is but natural to be nervous and feel butterflies in your stomach knowing the information that you not only have to memorize and know to be able to answer queries as well as the nervousness that come with speaking in public.

To make a good presentation nothing beats preparation. You cannot just rely on your familiarity with the topic for a presentation. A presentation needs to highly organized with the use of visual aids (if necessary) with a well-composed speech that needs to be practiced and rehearsed.

But not all presentations always end with a well deserved applause. There are times when no matter how much preparation we have made, mistakes happen and our presentations turn out to be a complete flop when we either experience a mental block or we fail to answer questions that we never expected or thought of to be asked.

It is a bit difficult to stand back up from such a situation but instead of running away thinking that it will put your career to an end stay calm and don’t try to be frantic. Take responsibility for your mistake/s for you did your best preparation and you are not perfect. It is very much appropriate to apologize to your boss for giving a disappointing presentation. Apologize to your colleagues if you were making the presentation on behalf of them as well. Apologize and move on.

Don’t try to make excuses thinking that you could squirm your way out of it. Don’t also try to pass the blame on to other people. Admit to your mistake for after all it was an honest mistake at that.

After you learned your lesson from a previous mistake, don’t commit a similar mistake again in the future. Try to determine your weaknesses from the prior presentation and address them. If you had poor public speaking skills, try to improve by practicing or taking up public speaking seminars. If you had poor visual aids make them more interesting this time. If you failed to answer several questions try to brainstorm with your colleagues or your team to determine the possible questions that may be asked.

A single mistake will not ruin your career. Move on and think of this as a valuable experience from which you can draw learnings.

James Brown writes about ResumeRabbit.com deals, GoFreelance.com coupon code and Monster.com deals