These days it seems that, if given a choice, most people opt to deal with electronic documents rather than hard copies. This makes sense, as ebooks, PDF files, and Microsoft Word documents are very easy to handle, modify, duplicate, share, and publish online. But there are still times when physical copies are required or even preferable, which is why plastic comb binding is a top-seller when it comes to publishing supplies.
Armed with some plastic comb binding and a special machine to close the combs around your papers, you can easily bind small quantities of books and manuals right in your own home or office. The combs themselves cost a buck or two (depending on how many you purchase at one time), and a decent plastic comb binding will set you back $100 to $200. That is a very small initial investment, particularly if you're planning to produce publications that you will sell to customers. Obviously, if you just have an occasional need for putting together a bound book or manual, such as for a grad school thesis, then it would be best to head out to the nearest Kinko's and pay for the one-time service. But if this is something you will do again and again, you'll definitely need to have your own equipment.
What are some uses for a plastic comb binding machine? One of the most common uses is for self-publishing on a small scale. For instance, if you have a "how to" book or any other kind of publication that consumers would be interested in, you can save money by doing the work yourself instead of having the books sent out to be bound. Yes, there is probably a bigger market for ebooks these days, but bound copies would be a good complement to the electronic version, and would appeal to a different set of customers. As an entrepreneur, it would be far better to have both styles on hand just in case than to miss out on any potential sales.
Another popular reason to invest in plastic comb binding supplies is for producing various manuals. For instance, if your company regularly sends representatives to trade shows or job fairs, then it would be a good idea to have physical books to hand out to interested parties instead of just a business card with a website URL printed on it. Furthermore, many companies choose to put together their training manuals or employee handbooks with plastic comb binding because this method is generally cheaper than other options.
Sure, the shift toward electronic books is a positive move in many ways, especially when you look at it from the perspective of environmental friendliness or convenience. But we all know that there are certain times when the genuine article (rather than an electronic representation) is a more desirable alternative. That's when having your own plastic comb binding equipment on hand can come in handy and bail you out, so pick up some supplies today!
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