How to Remove Plastic Comb Binding without a Machine?

Have you ever needed to scan or copy a book with a plastic comb binding, but the binding gets in the way? The ideal solution for this would be to remove the binding. But if you don’t have access to a binding machine, removing the plastic comb binding can be a daunting task.

Are you wondering how to remove plastic comb binding without a machine, then? Just open the book to the middle of the binding and separate the pages into two halves. Then pull the teeth of the binding one by one using your fingers. Do this task gently.

Whether you’re a librarian, archivist, or simply someone with a valuable book to preserve, read in detail to learn how to safely remove plastic comb binding from your book.

Can You Cut Plastic Binding Combs?

Yes, you can cut plastic binding combs using scissors or a sharp knife. There can be several reasons you might want to cut plastic binding combs, for example cutting the length down to fit smaller pages. If you want to bind the short edge of a booklet, you can cut the length using scissors.

You can use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the binding combs. Cutting the comb binding allows you to easily remove it from a book for scanning or copying purposes. However, it’s important to be careful when cutting the comb, as it can be difficult to cut straight and even. Also, there is a risk of damaging the pages if not done properly.

To cut the comb, first, identify where it is attached to the book. Typically, you will find it on the back cover near the spine. Use sharp scissors or a craft knife to cut the binding at the attachment point. Be careful not to cut into the pages. Once you are finished, gently pull it away from the book.

Please keep in mind that once you cut the comb, you may not be able to fix it. Since attaching the papers again manually is quite impossible, you will probably need a new comb and a machine to attach the pages back. Ultimately, it’s not a win-win!

How to Remove Plastic Comb Binding without a Machine?

When you need to scan or copy a book with a plastic comb binding, it’s often necessary to remove the binding in order to get a clear scan or copy. The comb can get in the way of the scanner or copier’s platen, resulting in uneven scans or copies.

Additionally, the comb binding can create shadows or reflections that interfere with the scanning or copying process. You can get a clearer and more accurate scan or copy of the book’s pages by removing the comb binding.

However, you may not always have access to special equipment to remove the binding. That’s why you can follow the steps below to remove plastic comb binding from a book manually.

Step 1: Separate the pages into two halves

Start by opening the book to the middle of the binding and separate the pages into two halves. It will make the process easier. If the book or document has a lot of paper, you may divide it into several parts.

Step 2: Pull the bindings out

Since you don’t have access to a machine, you need to completely rely on your hand now. Pull the teeth of the binding one by one, starting at the top and working your way down. Pull the teeth gently, don’t rush, because you don’t want to damage the holes in the pages. Once you are done, separate the pages for copying or scanning.

Note: You can reattach the comb binding after scanning or copying the pages. For that, you need to gently thread the comb bindings back through the holes in the pages. Once the comb is reattached, use your fingers to carefully align the pages so that they are evenly spaced. It’s important to be gentle and take your time to avoid damaging the book’s pages or the binding itself.

Learn How to Remove Plastic Comb Binding without Machine:

Is Machine Good for Removing Plastic Comb Binding?

If you need to remove the binding from multiple books or documents, yes, a machine can be a good option for removing plastic comb binding. Binding machines are specially designed for plastic comb bindings. These machines not only make it easier to bind the pages but also remove the bind without damaging the holes in the paper.

Plus, the whole process is a lot faster than doing it manually. Nevertheless, if you have just one or two books or documents, you don’t need a binding machine and can simply do it using your fingers. You can follow the method we discussed earlier. This can be time-consuming, so be patient.

Lastly, we want to leave the choice of whether to use a machine or not up to you. You will be able to determine whether you need a binding machine or you can do it manually, depending on your time and the project.

How to Set Plastic Comb Binding Again?

If you want to reattach the pages after scanning or copying them, you can do it the following way.

Step 1: Fix the pages

Before starting, make sure all the pages of your document are in the correct order and orientation.

Step 2: Thread through the pages

Align the holes in the pages with the teeth of the comb binding. Do it carefully. Now, gently thread the comb binding back through the holes in the pages.

Step 3: Put everything back in their place

Once the comb binding is fully threaded through the pages, align the back cover with the comb binding. Now, carefully push it back into place. Use your fingers to align the pages so that they are evenly spaced and not crumpled or creased.

Final Thoughts

Removing and reattaching plastic comb binding from a book or document is not an easy task. But with the right techniques and tools, it can be done quickly and easily. A binding machine can be helpful for large-scale projects. But for smaller tasks, there are manual methods that don’t require any special equipment.

You can follow the tips and steps we discussed in the article to easily remove or reattach plastic comb binding from a book.