Although there are other binding styles available

I have had many customers RG59 Cable call me over the

years asking for help in deciding what binding machine style would be

best for their office. Often they have seen one binding style or

another but want to understand their options for binding their own

documents. This article will provide a quick overview of the strengths

and limitations of the four major binding styles. These four styles

include: Comb Binding, Coil Binding, Wire Binding and Thermal Binding.

Although there are other binding styles available, these four styles

represent the lion's share of the presentation binding industry. Lets

take a quick look at each of the four styles.

1. Comb Binding : Comb Binding is the most common binding style used in

North America. It has been around for more than 40 years, is simple and

readily available. Binding supplies for plastic comb binding are

cheaper than binding supplies for the other major binding styles.

Plastic comb binding books have the ability to open flat for easy

copying and can be easily opened and closed with a comb binding machine

for editing purposes. Plastic comb bindings are available in 12 colors

and in sizes up to 2". Comb bindings that are 3/16" - 1-1/8" are round

while comb bindings that are 1-1/4" - 2" are oval.

Of all the binding styles, comb binding is the most economical and

robust. However, because comb binding has been around for so long and

is so economical it has become somewhat commonplace in the market. Many

people see comb binding as "cheap" and such and image doesn't lend

itself well to many proposals and presentations. For this reason,

several other binding styles are more popular.

2. Coil Binding : Spiral Coil Binding is a great option for individuals

searching for a different look for their presentations and proposals.

Spiral coil binding involves winding a single piece of pre-coiled

plastic binding onto the edge of ones book. Spiral coil binding is

available in more than 60 different colors making it ideal for

marketing firms and designers that are looking to match unique colors

with company logos or report covers.

Coil bound documents can open flat and can also wrap around for easy

copying and reading. Documents bound with coil binding are ideal for

documents that need to be mailed since the spines are flexible and

retain their shape exceptionally well. Although spiral coil binding is

available in sizes up to 2", coil binding documents that are larger

than 1" can be very difficult. Binding supplies for coil binding are

more expensive than plastic comb bindings but are still reasonably

priced and readily available.

3. Wire Binding : Twin Loop Wire binding (also known as Wire-O) is

another popular binding style available for individuals looking to bind

their own documents. Twin loop wire binding comes out of the package in

a C shape and a wire binding machine is used to close the wire binding

so that it is round.

Twin loop wire binding is available in sizes up to 1-1/4" thick.

However, a different hole pattern is used for twin loop wire binding

that is 9/16" or smaller than is used for wire binding from 5/8" to

1-1/4". An individual wanting to bind documents in all of these sizes

would need either two binding machines or a binding machine that can

punch both hole patterns. Documents bound with twin loop wire binding

can lay flat and can also wrap around. Wire bound documents are not

ideal for mailing since the metal wire binding can be deformed with

abuse. Twin loop wire binding provides an elegant look and feel but is

slightly more expensive than coil binding or wire binding.

4. Thermal book Binding : Thermal book binding style is another popular

binding style. However, it is dramatically different from the other

three styles discussed in this article. Thermal book binding does not

involve punching holes in your documents to bind them. Instead, a strip

of heat activated glue inside the spine of the book is used to bind the

presentations or proposals.

Books bound with this method of binding have the look of "perfect

bound" documents and provide a beautiful finished product. Many people

who use thermal binding buy utility covers which have a clear front

cover with a linen paper back and spine; however, custom cover sets can

be produced for this binding style assisting with company branding and

brand awareness.

Hard cover cases are also available for use with thermal book binding

machines making short run hard cover books and proposals a possibility

(something the other binding styles are not really capable of). Of all

the available binding styles, thermal binding has the highest supply

costs. However, it also provides the most unique and professional

looking solution.

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