Punch Capacity and Bind Capacity Are Two Different Numbers

Two figures on a binding machine are routinely confused, and confusing them leads to buying the wrong machine.

Punch capacity

How many sheets can be punched in a single pull. It is usually a modest number — a fraction of the document.

Bind capacity

The largest document the machine can close a spine around, which is far higher.

Why it matters in practice

A machine that binds a large document but punches only a few sheets at a time means many pulls per document. For occasional use that is fine. For regular volume it is the difference between a five-minute job and a half-hour one.

Do not force the punch

Exceeding punch capacity is the main cause of bent dies and misaligned holes. It also produces ragged holes that tear in use.