How To Choose A Binding Machine

By Author: Brandon Smith
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Do you need to bind some documents together into a report or presentation, but you’re not exactly sure where to start? With so many binding machines and supplies available, it’s sometimes difficult to make the right choice when choosing a binding solution. The process of selecting a binding machine often starts with settling on a particular binding style, but with 7 main styles to choose from, that isn’t necessarily easy to do.

Hopefully this guide can clear up some of the confusion and provide you with some helpful tips as you select a binding style that meets your needs. Here are 4 questions you can ask to help assess your binding needs.

When choosing a binding machine, you should ask . . . .

What are my project goals?

Often, there are multiple factors that come into play when making a decision about your binding needs. For example, budget may be important, but so is equipment reliability. Or you may need to mail your documents, but you also want a binding style that is, well, stylish. Other potential needs might include ease of use, equipment ...
... durability, equipment speed, overall performance, supply costs, number of sheets needing bound, as well as ongoing support. This is a brainstorming step where you list all of your project goals.

Since most decision making is a give and take, you’ll also want to prioritize your goals. For example, if you only have $500 to spend, it doesn’t matter how many sheets at a time you would like your binding machine to punch, because you will be limited somewhat by your budget. In some cases though, budget should not primarily dictate your purchase decision. If you need to keep up with high volume demand, then speed and efficiency would be your most important needs. Or if your first priority is to mail bound documents, then your choice would be narrowed somewhat based on this business requirement. So determine at the start what is most important to you as this will help you narrow down your options.

Which binding style will best meet my goals?

Now that you have prioritized your goals and identified your most important goals, it’s time to look at which binding solutions meet those goals. Comparing binding styles is a great place to start. A chart like this (you can even make your own) can help you to visualize which style best provides the features you need.

Which binding machines and supplies are best?

This is the step where you take all the information you have gathered so far regarding your binding needs and continue to narrow down your choices. By now, you should have established a budget, determined your volume needs (high volume vs. low volume) and figured out which binding style works for your project. Now you’re ready to look at the binding machines and supplies that meet your goals and choice of binding styles.

Who has the experience and ability to help me best?

You don’t want to feel like you’re “doing it alone” when you are ready to buy a binding machine and supplies. Is the local office store going to be able to answer your questions about the various binding equipment you’re thinking about? Does your supplier have a large stock of binding supplies and covers to accommodate your project needs? Look for a company with years of experience helping people like you in a variety of situations and with just the right equipment to help your next binding project be a success.
About Author:
Brandon Smith is Internet Marketing Director for http://www.PresentationsDirect.com