Frequently Asked Questions

Count your sheets (not pages) and pick the spine that fits. Capacity is based on 20 lb bond copy paper.

Using heavier paper? Go one size up. See the full spine size and pricing chart.

Yes. CoverBind spine sizes are exact, so you can rely on the sheet counts in the chart. Standard letter portrait covers run from 1/16" to 1/2", and larger sizes are available up to 2".

It depends on the spine size, because thicker covers take up more room in the box. Soft linen covers range from 100 per carton (1/16") down to 40 per carton (1"). Each product page shows the count for every size, plus the price per cover.

Our standard covers fit letter size paper (8.5" x 11") in portrait. Some colours also come in landscape. Need legal size or another format? Email orders@bdpi.ca and we'll check what's available.

Thermal binding gives you a square, book-style spine with no hole punching, so your document looks like it came from a print shop. It's a big step up from staples, without the plastic coil or comb look.

For client-facing work like financial plans, proposals and year-end reviews, that first impression matters. With a CoverBind machine you can produce perfect-bound documents in-house, on demand, at a low cost per document.

Soft linen covers have a clear front so your title page shows through, with a linen-textured back and spine. They're sold by the carton and are the most popular choice for everyday reports.

Hard covers are book-quality case-bound covers for documents that need to last or sit on a shelf. They can be personalized with a printed label or with your logo foil stamped.

Soft linen covers come in black, navy, royal blue, white, burgundy, red, green and graphite, plus a navy eco version. Hard covers come in black and navy. Browse soft covers and hard covers.

Each cover has heat-activated glue already in the spine. Put your pages in the cover, place it in a CoverBind machine, and the glue melts around every sheet. Let it cool for about 2 minutes and you have a square-spined book. See the step-by-step graphic.

It depends on how much you bind and how your team works.

• CoverBind Duo: small offices binding occasionally, up to 3/4" spines, and it laminates too.
• CoverBind Flex: the everyday desktop binder for most offices, up to 2" thick documents.
• Accel Cube: fully automatic for high-volume offices and print rooms, up to 60 documents a minute.
• Accel Ultra: commercial volume, about one document per second.

Not sure? Book a demo and we'll help you pick.

CoverBind covers are designed for CoverBind machines, and that's the combination we support. If you already own a different machine, email us the model and we'll tell you what will work.

Yes. The Flex and the Duo bind both soft and hard covers. Check the spine size limit for your machine (the Duo goes up to 3/4").

CoverBind binding is typically 4 to 5 times stronger than tape, ring, coil, wire or spiral binding. For the best result:

1. Choose a cover wide enough for your stack of paper.
2. Jog the sheets so they're neatly aligned, then load them into the cover.
3. Flex: set the document on the heating plate, slide the support plate shut so it stands straight, and tap lightly so every sheet touches the adhesive.
   Cube and Ultra: drop the document in. The machine jogs, heats and cools it automatically.
4. Let it cool before using it.

Most documents are ready after about 2 minutes. For spines above 1/2", give it a little longer. The spine reaches full strength once it's back to room temperature.

Yes. Re-heat the spine in your CoverBind machine to open it up, make your changes, and bind it again.

Yes. Schedule a demo and we'll show you how it works and which machine suits your volume.

Yes. We do foil stamping, debossing, full colour printing and window cut-outs on soft and hard covers. Try our cover designer, or email your logo to sales@bdpi.ca and we'll send you a free digital mockup. Browse examples in our custom cover gallery.

Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) give the sharpest result, especially for foil and deboss. A high-resolution PNG or JPG is fine for the first mockup, and we can help from there.

Yes. You'll get a digital proof to approve before anything goes into production.

Print On Demand covers are made for digital printers. The stock generally isn't suited to inkjet printers, although some inkjet users find it works for them.

Your printer needs to handle coated glossy 80 lb (210 GSM) cover stock, 11" wide and up to 18 1/8" long (the spine adds to the length, so a 1" spine needs the full 18 1/8"). Not every 11" x 17" printer can take that longer sheet.

We recommend testing a sample first. If your printer doesn't meet these specs, BDPI can't accept liability for print quality or printer performance.

Each hard cover has a debossed panel on the front. Print the included self-adhesive label on your own printer, stick it on the panel, and you have a personalized hardbound book with no minimum order.

In-stock orders placed before noon ET ship the same day by FedEx Ground. Delivery to Ontario and Quebec is usually next day, and Western Canada is about 4 days. Faster shipping is available at extra cost.

Sizes marked Backorder can still be ordered and ship in 14 to 21 days. Any in-stock items in the same order ship right away.

We use negotiated FedEx rates and a flat rate per destination for each master box of 4 cartons. Ordering in multiples of 4 cartons is the most cost-effective way to ship.

Everything ships from Ottawa, Ontario. See our shipping terms and lead times for details.

Yes, local pickup is available from our Ottawa location. Choose pickup at checkout and we'll let you know when it's ready.

We accept major credit cards and digital wallets at checkout. For larger or recurring business orders, request a quote and we'll set things up with you directly.

See our refund policy for details. Custom printed covers are made to order for you, so contact us before returning anything.

First, check the cover size matches your sheet count and that the sheets are jogged straight before binding. If you're still having trouble, call 613-696-9541 or email orders@bdpi.ca and we'll troubleshoot it with you.

Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET.

Yes. CoverBind covers are made from paper and board from sustainably managed forests, and the whole cover, including the bound pages, can be recycled and shredded in one piece. Separating the clear plastic front first is recommended where your shredder or recycling program requires it. Read more on our environment page.

Yes. The Navy Eco linen cover uses a transparent paper front instead of plastic.

CoverBind binding is built for archiving and long-term use. See the statement on ageing resistance and archiving (PDF).