Congratulations on your purchase. The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System will open up a new world of publishing possibilities.

You no longer need to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to see your books in print. You dont have to order cases of your books to keep the cost per copy low. And you wont have to rely on a printon-demand company that will sell you poorly designed books at $10 to $20 dollars per copy. Print and bind one copy at a time if you like. The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System offers true print-on-demand flexibility. In most cases, you will be able to create your own perfect-bound books for far less than $5.00 per copy. Bind a book any size you like, with a spine of up to 11 tall. You choose the paper, the art, the style. With some practice and patience you will be able to create books that are indistinguishable from the ones you see in bookstores. The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System is ideal for: Writers who want to see their work in print.

Small publishing houses who cant afford the high overhead of excess inventory. Companies who would like to make their own manuals. Scrapbookers who would like to create something unique. Churches or schoolsbind your own newsletters and publications.

So gather up your materials and lets get started!

The Glue Leveler The SimpleBind Glue Leveler is specifically designed for use with The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System. This device does exactly as the name impliesit levels the glue before the book block is affixed to the spine. If you have a steady hand, it is possible to lay down a uniform layer of glue without use of the glue leveler, but quite difficult. Even the most experienced users should take advantage of the glue levelers benefits. Additionally, the smoothing nut takes care of excess glue that may have spilled over the spine. It is actually a good practice to apply some extra glue along the edge closest to you and let the nut clean up the excess. This will make for a solid bind on what could potentially be the weakest part of the book (the front or back pages, depending on the orientation of your book in the SimpleBind unit).

Smoothing Nut

The Glue Leveler - Parts The Glue Leveler consists of five basic parts: A. Glue Rod B. Adjustment Collar C. Smoothing Nut D. Height Adjustment Nut E. Glue Leveler Body (2 parts) The Glue Leveler - Adjustment Adjusting the glue leveler is simple. It is designed to move in two different directions (see the arrows in fig. 1). By loosening the set screw on the Adjustment Collar (B), the Glue Rod (A) can be slid forward and back to match the thickness of the book to be bound. The front end of the rod should just reach the back edge of the pages, barely touching the upright cover. It should then be retightened. To adjust the thickness of the glue layer, loosen the Height Adjustment Nut. This will allow you to move the top portion of the leveler up and down to suit your needs. For a thicker layer of glue, raise the top portion of the leveler. For a thinner layer, lower the leveler. Retighten the nut before you begin the binding process. You dont want to starve the spine of glue, but you dont want it too thick either. In most cases, a layer of glue the thickness of a dime is about right. (see fig. 2) (The cover is removed for demonstration purposes). The leveler will already be set to a standard thickness, so this will only need to be adjusted if you would prefer a stiffer or looser spine.
Figure 1 A Figure 2

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The SimpleBind Unit - Parts The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System consists of: Two clamp bars to hold down the pages to be bound. (a) A downward clamp to apply pressure to the spine. (b) A wire guide to hold the cover while applying glue. (c) The front platform to support the pages and cover to be bound. This also swivels up to allow pages to be jogged. (d) A handle to raise the front platform. (e) Two catches to hold the front platform in place after the jogging. (f) A glue leveling tool to create a uniform thickness of glue. (g)

a (up
d e

per) a (lo wer )

b h f

Handle slides out

Recommendations It is recommend that you begin with some scrap or blank paper until you get a feel for The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System. Use the same type of paper, cover stock and the same number of pages as the book you plan to bind. This will give you an accurate size for your spine thickness, making the cover design process much easier. See the website for more details. Feel free to contact us via the website as well. We will be happy to answer any of your binding questions. See our web site for more binding tips. www.simplebind.com or www.atomicpublishing.net Set Up There are two wings (h) on either side of The SimpleBind unit. These are to accommodate clamps. Attach a clamp to each side. Make sure that you dont clamp the machine too far back on your work surface the front platform needs to be able to rotate to a vertical position. You can also mount the SimpleBind permanently with screws if you dont mind drilling holes into your work surface. Remove the downward clamp (b) by loosening the nuts on the back. Heat up the included glue gun(s). Please notethe hardware on the SimpleBind may vary slightly from the photograph as certain pieces of hardware sometimes become unavailable from our suppliers, but the function will not change. Thats it! Youre ready to go! Enjoy your SimpleBind Paperback Binding System.

The SimpleBind Glue Gun The SimpleBind Glue Gun is specifically designed for use with The SimpleBind Paperback Binding System as well. Its interchangeable tips allow you to use the tip that meets your needs. By default a wide tip is installed on the gun. The more traditional tip is included as well. Note: The gun must be plugged in and hot before you change a tip or else you may damage the glue gun. **CAUTION: DO NOT USE YOUR BARE HANDS TO CHANGE TIPS. ALWAYS USE A PAIR OF PLIERS OR A WRENCH OR YOU MAY BURN YOURSELF.** To use the traditional tip, you must remove both the tip and the thread adapter from the glue gun (see below). The male thread will screw into the body of the glue gun. This is also true of many tips from other glue gun manufacturers as well. Making Your Own Tips You can make your own custom tips for the glue gun. The thread on the gun is 7/16 20 SAE. Plumbing parts that fit a 1/4 flare will work as well. 1/4 flare caps can be used to make custom tips that some people prefer to use. Simply drill a small hole in the center of the cap and use the flat surface of the cap to spread the glue as you apply it. Please feel free to contact us with any suggestions or success stories of alternate tips.

An additional, smaller glue gun is also included with the kit (not pictured). This will allow you to touch up your glue seams if you dont use enough during the initial bind. Lay down a thin line where needed, then press the spine flat on a hard surface until the glue sets. Most times, you shouldnt need the smaller gun, but its nice to have just in case.

Binding Score the cover of your book.* It is easier to mark the front of the cover first. (1) Using the wheel of the scoring tool, firmly mark each edge so they will show through to the back. Then flip the cover over and score the cover by lining up the marks. (2) If you have scored it correctly, it should fold nicely along the score. The scoring wheel shouldnt cut the paper, so you can run the scoring tool back and forth several times if necessary.

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Lower the front platform by pulling the handle toward you. Then loosen the knobs on the lower clamp and slide the cover in. (3) The scored edge should be to the back side of the machine. If you cant see the entire spine, you will need to turn the cover over. Remove the downward clamp (b on the Parts Page) before proceeding.
Scoring Tool Grip

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* Scoring the front edge of the spine (the one that runs along the front cover) works best. If the thickness of your spine is off slightly, it is better to have the error on the back cover.

Binding (cont) Raise the platform to the horizontal position and push the handle forward until it stops. This will lock the platform in place. Turn the catches on the sides of the unit so they are no longer holding the platform in place. (4) Tip the front platform up to the vertical position. Slide your pages under both clamps so they are resting inside your cover. (5) Make sure your pages are facing the proper directionit is very easy to glue them in backwards or upside down. Lift and drop the pages firmly several times. This is known as jogging. Make certain that no pages are sticking upif the spine is not flat, the glue will not hold and you will lose pages out of your book. Align the pages with your spine. Lower the platform and tighten the lower clamp. (6)

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DONT FORGET: Return the catches to their locked position when finished.

Once lowered, make certain the spine is still flush with the vertical upright of the front platform. If not, loosen the clamp and make your final adjustments to the pages and spine. Then retighten the clamp.

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Binding (cont)

Take your scoring tool and place it on the upper clamp. It will fit on the thin edge of the clamp with the wheel touching the cover. (7) Press the wheel of the scoring tool firmly against the cover as you run it along the length of the upper clamp. You may do this more than once if necessary. Oftentimes, you wont need to score this side at all. Depending upon the type of cover stock you use, the pressure from the downward clamp may actually fold the paper nicely.

Slide the downward clamp into its channels. (the wire guide should be facing you). The cover and all of the pages should be under the clamp. Press down firmly and evenly until you feel some resistance. (8) Tighten the knobs on the back.

The spine is now folded on both sides. Lift the cover and tuck it under the wire bracket on the downward clamp. (9) This will keep it out of the way while you glue the spine. Rest the leveling tool on the edge of the upper clamp. The locking collar should be facing the book. Loosen the nut in the collar with the included Allen wrench. Press the upper clamp tightly against the pages, then adjust the metal rod until it just touches the cover. Retighten the nut. (10) If you have not yet set the height of the glue leveler, do so now. (see page 5 for instructions)

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Binding (cont) Keep the leveling tool nearbyonce the glue is applied, you will need this very quickly. Loosen the upper clamp slightly so it now rests loosely against the pages. You dont want the pages compacted too tightly during the glue application stage. The loose pages will allow the glue to penetrate deeper into the spine and will make for a better bind. Run glue along the entire length of the spine, making sure to cover all of it with a generous layer of glue. (11) (This may require several quick passes with the glue gun). Push foward on the upper clamp, compressing the pages once more, while running the leveling tool along the clamp edge. (12) The metal rod will remove some glue from the spine. This should be done quickly and smoothlyyou dont have much time before the glue hardens. See the Optional Step on page 13 for a variation on this method.

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Binding (cont) Optional Step: Some paper tends to wrinkle when it has been printed on, making the binding procedure more difficult. To help combat this, try using the fanning rod. This is the wooden dowel included with the SimpleBind kit. Pull the upper clamp out as far as it will go (until it rests against the acorn nuts at the end of the upper clamp screws). Then insert the fanning rod between the cover and the unit (13). (Not between the pages and the cover, but behind the cover). Press the rod all the way down. This will fan out the pages and press them together at the same time, making the gluing process easier while still allowing the glue to penetrate deeper thanks to the fanning action. Remove the rod after you have glued the spine, then use the glue leveler as mentioned in the previous step. Experiment with the fanning rod. Some users prefer to use this method with all sorts of paper.

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Binding (cont) Set the leveling tool aside. You may need to hold the upper clamp down firmly with your thumb (or whatever finger is most comfortable) to keep the pages from curling or bending in the cover. This is usually more of an issue with rougher paper stocks. With the other hand, grab the handle and lift the platform up until it stops. The platform should now be horizontal (14) Wait 15 or 20 seconds, then release the handle. Unscrew the lower clamp and remove your book.

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If you find that the first few (or last) pages of the book are coming loose, use the small glue gun included. Simply run a thin line of glue between the spine and the pages, then press the cover against a flat surface for a few seconds. Use the glue sparingly as you dont want the pages sticking to the inside cover any more than necessary.

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You have just bound your first book with the SimpleBind Paperback Binding System. (15) (This has already been cut).

There will be glue stuck to the metal rod of the leveling tool. You can remove this with your fingers once the glue has dried. Be sure to remove the excess glue before binding your next book.

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Cutting If your book requires no cutting, congratulations, youre done. Most will, however. It is easiest to cut the book to its finished width first this will provide you with some strips of paper to cushion the spine for the next two cuts. (16) Lay approximately 1/4 of paper over the next area to be cut. This will either be the top or bottom of your book. Keep the paper 1/4 to 1/2 away from the spine. (17) This will shift the crushing pressure exerted by the paper cutter away from the spine. A few sheets of paper beneath your book will give you a nice clean edge on the underside as well. Repeat these steps on the other end of your book.

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Spine

Then put the book aside and start binding your next. Good Luck & Happy Binding!

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