Does this type of binding exist for handouts and if so, what's it calle?

February 12, 2014 4:30 AM

I need to produce a pile of program handouts, I'd originally thought I'd do them in ring binders, but I have to travel cross country and can't carry them. I then thought I'd try comb bound handouts (thinnish plastic back and acetate front).. the problem is there's no tables at the venue so it would be hard for people to take notes on them. Could do clipboards.. (but carrying difficult) and getting the handouts sent prior to the place would make me anxious/might not be a goer. So.. I think I need something like a thinnish comb bound handout with a cardboard back so people can lean on it to take notes. Problem is.. comb binding doesn't go through cardboard. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm in the UK.
posted by tanktop to Work & Money (7 answers total)

Would you be able to bring the handouts loose and purchase ring binders when you get to your final location? The program organizers could even stop by an office supply place for you.
posted by freshwater at 4:40 AM on February 12, 2014 [2 favorites]

A solution I've used in the past is to get a hardback book printed at lulu. They do a range of sizes and are nicely bound with good covers. You can insert blank pages for notetaking easily. It's worth getting a proof copy. It also looks very professional and participants appreciate it.

This works well if you have a lot of handouts, if it's a course you are running multiple times, and if you are willing to put in a bit of time on planning. it works less well if you are a "spontaneous" trainer and move things round a lot or develop custom courses for specific groups/organisations.

Lulu provide easy to use word templates so it's relatively easy to convert handouts and power-points into an appropriately formatted book (with indexes, and contents, and other shiny things people like.

The cost is reasonably competitive with photocopying plus comb binding - especially if you can order largish amounts and if you cost your time in. Lulu will deliver anywhere on shortish notice and I've never had a problem with thinks being there when I arrive.
posted by Gilgongo at 5:11 AM on February 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

Just get ready and ship to the venue with a tracked mode of shipping. Ship in good time so you can come up with a plan B in the very unlikely event that things get delayed or lost. But this is by far the easiest way and it's how my organisation transports all training materials in the UK.
posted by koahiatamadl at 5:21 AM on February 12, 2014

What about coil binding?

This binding style is durable and is often used for documents that need to be mailed.

posted by oceanjesse at 5:43 AM on February 12, 2014

Actually, you can do comb binding with cardboard, assuming it's not really, really hard cardboard. There's a machine you use for comb bindings, and it's a two-part step -- the first is to punch the holes, and the second is to open the comb so that you can slide the holes into the comb. I found a video, here. So the first part is like a 3-hole punch that you would use for paper that's going in a binder -- you just push down harder if you have lots of paper or cardboard.

Or you could have strip binding. Basically, a strip of glued-on plastic/paper that holds it all together. Or, you could use a single long piece of cardboard to wrap around the outside to make a front and back cover, and have the whole thing either saddle-stitched or side-stitched with staples.
posted by Houstonian at 6:59 AM on February 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

Whether you bind them with oil or flat binding, have you considered binding the handouts together at the short, top end of the paper, like with a stenographer's notebook?

Easier for note-taking, and you can have them packaged so that you alternate tops and bottoms for easy shipping or carting around.
posted by misha at 9:44 AM on February 12, 2014

We've done coil binding here through some mighty thick board (my wife makes books as part of her art work). Not like 0.090 Davey board or anything, but certainly thick enough to serve as a writing back for a notebook. Ask your local print shop how thick a rear cover they're willing to coil bind through. I think even the home-type rubicoil machines will go through 0.040, which is nearly the thinnest common grade book cover.
posted by introp at 1:23 PM on February 12, 2014 [1 favorite]