Applications
Wire-o or spiral binding is a very strong and flexible binding method. It uses a plastic or metal coil to join the pages together to create a durable printed product that can be handled and referred to regularly. This binding technique allows combining different materials and paper weights in various standard sizes to deliver an upscale and professionally looking result. These properties make spiral binding ideal for a variety of applications such as product catalogues, annual reports, creative presentations, price lists or training manuals. Spiral binding is also popular for sample books that present an overview of materials or paper stock options.
The benefits of spiral binding, also known as coil binding, make it the perfect choice for many applications, such as training manuals, portfolios and creative presentations: Spiral bound products lay flat and can be opened a full 360 degrees, so they stay open for easy references while taking up minimal room on a desk or table. The pages of a spiral bound product rotate around the coil with very little resistance which prevents dog ears and keeps the pages firmly secured. These benefits are also appreciated in the food and catering industry: Spiral or wire binding is often preferred for food and drink menus that have to endure frequent handling in bars and restaurants. Also planners, wall and desk calendars – in portrait or landscape orientation – are often coil bound to allow the pages to be flipped easily and the calendar to hang flat against the wall. Atlases are another typical example of spiral binding because of the ease of handling this binding types affords while travelling.
"Monthly calendars are a well-known example of spiral binding. The pages turn easily and stay put thanks to the ability to open spiral bound products 360 degrees. Moreover, spiral binding is very durable and ideal for daily use. It keeps the pages firmly secured and allows removing pages when needed."
The details of spiral binding
Production technique
Spiral binding is a superior binding method which comprises multiple steps to turn a collection of loose leaves into a durable print product. In contrast to thread sewn binding or saddle stitch binding where folded sheets of paper are joined together, spiral binding secures single pages. Therefore, the final page count does not have to be in multiples of four. This also facilitates setting up the artwork files. On the other hand, higher page counts also require more production effort.
The front and back of the single pages are custom printed and then stacked in the specified sequence. Next, holes are punched along the spinal edge of the product's cover and pages. Due to the inside margin needed to accommodate the punched holes, there is less space for printed content. However, spiral bound products make up for this by being very durable and allowing easy turning of pages. Spiral binding firmly secures the sheets of paper while allowing pages to be removed when needed. The punched materials are then bound using a plastic or metal wire. We at Onlineprinters use a metal wire which is available in black, white or silver. Wire-o binding is another binding option. It offers many of the same benefits as spiral binding but gives a more sophisticated look than spiral binding.
Wire-o binding
Wire-o binding, also known as twin loop, double loop, duo-wire or just wire binding, is a special binding technique in which punched pages are inserted onto a C-shaped spine which is then squeezed together until round using a wire closer. In contrast to the diagonal nature of the spiral, the wire loops in a wire-o bound product are parallel to one another so that facing pages will align exactly when laying the book flat on the table. This binding type is very durable; no single pages can be added subsequently.
Simple spiral binding
Spiral binding uses a simple wire coil that is inserted through the punched holes and the ends are crimped to prevent the coil from slipping through the holes. Compared to wire-o binding, it is possible to add single pages subsequently. Due to the diagonal nature of the spiral, facing pages will not align exactly when opening the book flat on the table.
Materials and page count
Spiral binding is capable of joining paper as well as other materials. This is particularly useful for sample books: Spiral binding also works with materials which are difficult to glue together, such as fabric or foil, using appropriate machines.
Different wire coils are used depending on the selected materials, the paper weights and bulk of the printed product. The more pages the product has or the thicker the material is, the bigger is the coil diameter. As a rule, spiral binding is possible from eight pages, i.e. four sheets of paper. We produce wire-o bound products containing up to 50 sheets or 100 pages.
What to observe with spiral binding
Printable area and safety margin
Compared to other binding methods, wire-o or spiral bound products have a smaller printable area for content. This is because the punched holes and the wire need more space than staples, threads or glue. Therefore, important information, graphics or images should not be placed too close to the binding edge. These elements should be positioned at least 8 mm away from the binding edge of the final format. For the other edges, a distance of 4 mm to the final format is sufficient for key elements.
Designs across pages
When designing your artwork, please bear in mind that designs that extend across two facing pages will not align exactly with spiral binding. The punched holes and the wire produce a gap between two facing pages.
Stacking
The edge of the product where the spiral binding is located is always a bit higher and thicker than the opposite edge. This prevents the products from being stacked directly on top of each other. But stacking is possible when alternating the side of the coil.
Alternatives to spiral binding
Spiral binding is perfect to create long-lasting printed publications that are used and referred to frequently. This binding method is particularly well suited for products that open flat, such as notepads, training manuals and sample books. Depending on the application and page count of the printed products, other binding options may also be eligible. Here are some examples:
- Perfect binding is the ideal choice for products with higher page counts such as catalogues, magazines, paperback books and brochures.
- Saddle stitch binding is a good solution for printed advertising material, brochures or newspapers with low page counts. It is optionally available with loops instead of plain staples to allow the finished pieces to be inserted in a binder or lever arch file.
- Thread sewn binding is a superior and very long-lasting method of joining pages. What is more, this binding techniques allows processing products with high page counts, such as books, elegant magazines or brochures.
