Buzz
Created a booklet at home and need to staple it? Dealing with the spine of the booklet using a regular stapler can be challenging. However, if your stapler's arms can spread apart, there are at least two methods to accomplish this using common household items. For larger quantities or thicker booklets, consider investing in a specialized stapler.
Steps
Utilizing a Conventional Stapler and Cardboard
Place a layer of corrugated cardboard or similar protective material. This approach involves stapling the booklet against a soft material, then manually pressing the staples down onto the booklet. Suitable materials include corrugated cardboard, foam, or any soft material that allows the staples to embed without binding. Ensure you use material that you don't mind damaging.
- If you have numerous booklets to staple, the Specialized Stapler method may be preferable.
- If you lack suitable material and your booklet is thin, consider the Two Books method.
Position your booklet facedown on the cardboard. Ensure that all pages are properly arranged and aligned. The cover should be facing up, not the inner pages, to facilitate folding the booklet after stapling.
Separate the two arms of the stapler. Hold the upper arm near the hinge, avoiding the staple-deploying end. Use your other hand to stabilize the base, and pull the arm upwards. The stapler should open up easily.
Center the stapler head over the booklet. The center of the booklet requires 2–4 evenly spaced staples to create the spine, depending on the booklet's size and desired sturdiness. Ensure that each staple aligns with the spine's direction (vertical when the booklet is held for reading) to allow for easy folding without tearing the pages. Position the stapler head accordingly.
Press down on the stapler head to staple. As you're stapling against cardboard or soft material, you may not hear the usual stapler sound. Apply firm pressure, then release and lift the stapler.
Gently lift the booklet and examine the staple. The staple is likely partially embedded in the cardboard below. Lift the booklet slowly to disengage the staple's prongs from the cardboard. If necessary, straighten the staple with your finger before removing it.
- If the staple is firmly attached to the material, the material is too thin. Use a staple remover to detach the staple, then try again with thicker cardboard.
Press the staple prongs down onto the paper. Once the staple is detached from the material underneath, you'll notice the two prongs protruding through the paper but not folded down. Gently fold them toward each other along the length of the spine. You can use your fingers, taking care to avoid the sharp points, or lay the paper flat and lightly hammer them down with a solid object.
Continue with the remaining staples. Position the booklet over the cardboard again and align the stapler head over the next section of the spine to be stapled. Strive to space the staples evenly.
Utilizing an Ordinary Stapler and Two Books
Employ this technique for stapling thin booklets. This approach necessitates no specialized materials but is suitable only for thin booklets composed of a few sheets of paper. Ensure your stapler is capable of deploying a staple through the booklet without a supporting surface behind it. Avoid using a rusty or easily jammed stapler.
- If you have numerous booklets to staple, you might prefer to utilize the Specialized Stapler method to save time and effort.
Position two sizable books adjacent to each other. Choose two books of identical height when laid flat on a surface. Lay them flat on a table or another firm surface, leaving a small gap between them. The gap only needs to be wide enough to staple the booklet over it without attaching the staple to the book; 1/2 to 1 inch (1.25–2.5cm) should suffice.
Position your stack of paper face down over the books, aligning the center with the gap. Ensure that all your pages are correctly ordered and aligned, then place the stack of paper over the two books. The center of the outer cover should directly align with the gap.
Separate the two arms of the stapler. Pull apart the arms of the stapler. If only the cover comes off, revealing the staples, reposition it and try again while firmly holding the sides of the upper arm.
Secure the paper in place and position the top arm over the spine. Hold the booklet in position either manually or by using heavy objects on each side. Align the stapler arm so that the stapler head is centered on the booklet's spine, where you want the first staple to go. Depending on the booklet's size, you'll likely need between 2 and 4 evenly spaced staples down the spine.
Press down swiftly on the stapler head. As there's only air beneath the spine, you'll need to push down quickly to deploy the staple. Hold the paper steady as you do this to prevent it from being pulled down by the stapler. Avoid pushing too hard to prevent tearing the paper; the action should be firm but swift.
Fold down the staple prongs. Check if the staple has pierced through the entire stack of paper. If it has, simply fold the two prongs of the staple flat against the paper, pointing toward each other. You can do this using your fingers, being cautious of the sharp point, or by gently hammering them down with a solid object.
- If the staple hasn't penetrated through the entire stack of paper, your stapler may not be powerful enough for this method, or you may not have applied enough pressure. Try again by bringing the two books closer together and ensure the paper is firmly held down when stapling.
Proceed with the remaining staples. Continue until the spine has an adequate number of staples to securely hold the paper when folded into a booklet. Three staples are typically sufficient for most projects, although thicker or taller booklets may require four or more staples.
Utilizing a Specialized Stapler
Invest in a centerline or rotating-head stapler. If you frequently staple booklets, consider purchasing one of these specialized stapler types. Centerline staplers are oversized and can reach the booklet spine from the correct direction for staple orientation. Rotating-head staplers have a stapler arm that can rotate to apply the staple correctly. Both types are suitable for booklet stapling.
- Centerline staplers are also known as booklet staplers or long-reach staplers.
- For centerline staplers, ensure the 'throat depth' can reach across the entire width of your booklet's page.
- Check the maximum number of sheets the stapler can handle. Note that this refers to the number of paper sheets, not the number of pages in the finished booklet.
Prepare your booklet for stapling. Verify that all pages are in order and evenly aligned before inserting them into the stapler.
Determine the required number of staples along the booklet's spine. Typically, two staples are sufficient (the standard), but depending on the booklet's size, one staple may be adequate, or you may need three or four. If multiple staples are necessary, consider making small pencil marks beforehand to indicate where to position the stapler. With practice, this process will become easier.
Ensure the outside cover of your booklet is facing upwards. Insert it into the specialized stapler with the center aligned under the stapling mechanism. Check that the booklet is properly aligned with the stapler, and that the margins on both sides are similar in width.
Press down the stapler arm onto the desired spot along the spine for each staple. Align the stapler arm and push down on the end until you hear the staple penetrate the paper. Repeat this process for different positions along the spine, stapling until you've reached your desired number. Typically, two or three staples are sufficient.
Verify that all staples are inserted correctly and lie flat. If any staples fail to puncture the paper or do not close properly, remove them by straightening each arm and pushing them out through the staple hole.
Helpful Tips
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Some office machines offer the option to print and staple booklets, which can be a professional DIY solution if you need to make multiple copies and have access to such equipment.
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If the page edges are not perfectly aligned, you can use an x-acto or retractable blade knife to trim them flush.
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A centerline stapler can also staple other large items like address books, craft projects, and wallets. Consider these additional uses when deciding whether to invest in one.
Cautions
- Avoid gripping the stapler head when the arms are extended. Instead, hold it by the joint between the two arms.
Materials Needed
- Stapler (regular or centerline)
- Staples
- Paper
If using a regular stapler:
- Two large books
- Corrugated cardboard, foam, or similar soft material
