Much valuable information on the Internet comes in PDF files. That causes a problem with longer documents. Paper is easier to read than a computer monitor, so you need to print out longer PDF files if you want to read them without eyestrain. This goes for any kind of computer document, but PDF files are the most common.
What do you do with all those loose pages? Book binding, of course.
There are several book binding methods. Most are expensive or require specialized equipment, but the system here cuts costs to the bone. The result is not very polished, but it is easy to do and it works. It allows you to read PDF files comfortably and keep them in order.
First, here are some tips about cutting printing costs.
1. Print PDF files on both sides of each page. This cuts paper costs in half.
2. If you use an ink-jet printer, learn how to refill cartridges.
3. If you do not need color to understand your PDF files, print them in gray scale with black ink only.
4. Print at draft quality instead of regular.
There are three book binding methods for PDF files in this system: short, medium and long. The measurements are gauged for 20 lbs (75 gsm) paper and are for comfortable handling, not capacity. You can cram more on if you like although it is not advisable. All three methods use three-ring binders for storing and filing your PDF files. Three-ring binders are perfect because they come in different sizes and colors. They are also quite cheap and can be labeled.
Method 1: Book binding short PDF files, up to about 20 sheets (40 pages).
Equipment: Three-hole paper punch and stapler.
1. Punch holes on the left side of all sheets.
2. Assemble the PDF file pages in order, then staple on the left side following the same line as the holes. You will use four staples, one near each end and two in the middle between the holes. The line sequence is staple, hole, staple, hole, staple, hole, staple.
Method 2: Book binding medium PDF files, from small up to about 60 sheets (120 pages).
Equipment: Three-hole paper punch, electric drill (1/8″ bit), small empty corrugated fiberboard box (usually called cardboard box) and 3/4″ (19 mm) brass paper fasteners (single prong).
Note: Paper fasteners can be hard to find, but these small ones are common at office supply stores. A fastener looks like a long thumb tack. The stem is in two parts and you bend each half, you butterfly it, to fasten the pages.
1. Punch holes on the left side of all sheets.
2. Assemble the PDF file pages in order. Drill holes on the left side following the same straight line as the already perforated holes. Place the pages on the cardboard box. That way you can drill right through the box surface without damaging the table. Drill four holes, one near the top, one near the bottom and two in the middle (between the holes). The final sequence is drill hole, punch hole, drill hole, punch hole, drill hole, punch hole, drill hole.
Note: The paper fasteners are too small for the paper punch holes. This is why you drill smaller holes for them.
3. Insert the fasteners in the drilled holes and butterfly them.
Method 3: Book binding long PDF files, from medium up to about 170 sheets (340 pages)
Equipment: Three-hole paper punch, electric drill (3/16″ or 1/4″ bit), small empty corrugated fiberboard box, 2.75″ (6.9 cm) 2-piece twin-prong paper fasteners, and pencil.
Note: The prong fasteners come with a 2 prong base and a compressor bar that has a hole at each end. You run the prong through the hole, bend it over and lock it in place with a sliding min-fastener. These twin-prong fasteners are very common at office supply stores.
1. Punch holes on the left side of all sheets.
2. Take the first sheet, place a compressor in between the already perforated middle hole and outer hole. Draw the compressor bar’s two holes using it like a stencil. Do the same for the other side. You should have four drawn holes and the following sequence: punch hole, drawn hole, drawn hole, punch hole, drawn hole, drawn hole, punch hole.
Assemble the PDF file pages in order with the sheet bearing the drawn holes on top. Place them on the empty cardboard box. Drill through the four drawn holes.
Note: If you have a two-hole paper punch the same size as your twin-prong fasteners, you can use that instead of the drill.
3. Insert a prong fastener in two of the drilled holes, attach the compressor bar, bend and fasten the prongs. Do this with another prong fastener in the other two drilled holes.
Voila! That’s all there is to PDF file book binding the do it yourself way.
One last tip: If you want your PDF files to fit better in the three-ring binders and have fewer snags during use, flatten the staples, fasteners or prongs with pliers.
Now you can download and print out PDF files and do your own book binding without spending a fortune.
