Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method

A sheet processing method comprising:

• performing a first binding process to bind a first plurality of sheets, placed on a support unit, at a first binding portion to form a first sheet stack;
• performing a second binding process, different from the first binding process, to bind a second plurality of sheets, placed on the support unit, at a second binding portion to form a second sheet stack;
• and
• transporting the first sheet stack from the support unit to a first output area via a first path and the second sheet stack from the support unit to a second output area via a second path different from the first path,
• wherein the first and second binding processes comprise binding edge portions of the first and second plurality of the sheets, respectively.

A sheet processing apparatus comprising:

• a first binding unit that performs a first binding process to bind a first plurality of sheets to form a first sheet stack;
• a second binding unit that performs a second binding process, different from the first binding process, to bind a second plurality of sheets to form a second sheet stack;
• a transporting unit that transports the first sheet stack formed by the first binding unit to a first output area via a first path and transports the second sheet stack formed by the second binding unit to a second output area via a second path different from the first path;
• and
• a controller which controls the first binding unit to perform the first binding process and the second binding unit to perform the second binding process,
• wherein the first binding unit and the second binding unit are arranged to bind edge portions of the first and second plurality of the sheets, respectively.