5 Alternatives to Binding Documents

If you need an alternative way to bind together pages, but you don't want to go the traditional route of a big binding machine, then check out these 5 solutions. Whatever your reason for not wanting a binding machine (perhaps budget, space, volume, etc), that doesn't mean you can't bind your pages in a professional way.

1. Loose Leaf Binding Rings - Book rings are loose rings that open and close as often as you need, so you can easily just place them through any punched holes on your pages. 3-hole, 2-hole, 1-hole, or any other configuration, it doesn't matter; you can use as many or as few loose rings as you would like. Binding rings are available in metal and shaped round with snaps, d-shape with a screw to keep it closed, as well as plastic ones with peg-and-hole and even just overlap with no formal securing snap at all. Standard book rings are available up to 3" and the screw-lock rings are available up to 10".
2. Screw Posts - Chicago screw posts are two-piece binding posts that (you guessed it), screw together. You can use as few or as many as you need on your book, and they work with standard hole punch sized holes. Metal and plastic options are available as well, and some are even near permanent while others are incredibly easy to unscrew and edit. Screw posts can bind up to 5" thick stacks of pages, and extension pieces can also be added for additional length.
3. Padding Glue - Notepad binding doesn't require any machine either! You just need a clamp (table clamp or even binder clips for small stacks), specially formulated padding glue, and a pad brush. Clamp your pages together, brush on the glue, and allow it to dry. Padding takes about half an hour because of the padding compound dry time.
4. Ring Binders - Everyone loves a ring binder (just me?). Just pair with any 3-hole punch and easily bind stacks of pages up to 4" or more. Poly binders and vinyl binders are available, as well as custom options for businesses looking to brand them.
5. Paper Prong Fastener - 2-Prong paper fasteners are spaced for standard 2-hole punches and, most often, on the top-end of your pages (but you can easily do it on the longer and as well). The prong fastening set piece will bind up to about 3" thick stacks, and the prints fold over to hold your pages in place.

Whether you want an alternative because you are a small business without the budget to have a punch-and-bind machine, or you just want a looseleaf option, or you want a less common way to bind pages, these document binding solutions could be a great fit for you!

About the Author • Mallory Morsa has been a part of Binding101 since 2008 and has experience in several departments within the company. She began in customer service and sales where she honed in her skills to provide the customer with professional, fast, and accurate information. Shortly after, she was promoted to sales supervisor and also took on the role of product expert, training the team on new products. Throughout this time, she also wrote content for the site, as well as contributed stock photography and videography. As the team grew, she moves to an official position as the content specialist and social media manager. Her skills in these variety of areas give her the unique expertise to not just create content for the web, but to create content for you, the customer. She has a Bachelor's degree in business management and marketing, was on the Dean's List each year, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. In her free time, Mallory's favorite things to do include volunteering at the animal shelter by bottle feeding neonatal kittens, reading at the park, cooking plant-based meals, playing board games, and binge streaming TV shows with her 3 furbabies and family beside her.