DOCUMENT BINDING

DOCUMENT BINDING

  • We offer various ways to bind documents, each bringing its unique style and suitability to different applications.
  • Choosing the right binding option will enhance the professional appearance of your book or manual and ensure it is fit for purpose with expected longevity. 
  • We’ve explained and pictured examples of the different types of document binding below.
  • We look forward to discussing what binding method is most suited to your project and budget.
  • Document binding is typically the final stage in the print finishing chain, after printing/copying and optionally laminating.

Wire Binding

Wire binding is a popular and professional way to bind documents.

  • Also commonly known as Wire-O binding.
  • We punch the document and cover with a series of small round or square holes.   The holes are evenly spaced, typically at 3:1 ratio (three holes per inch).  Then we close a pre-formed wire mechanism onto the booklet.   For very thick documents, we use a 2:1 ratio.
  • Similar to comb binding, the finished book opens flat, however once the wire is closed, it cannot be opened to add or replace pages.
  • Binding wire mechanisms are readily available in popular colours and various sizes to suit booklet thickness.   We can also source wire mechanisms to RAL colours matching your corporate imagery.
  • Same/next-day service normally available on this option.
ways to bind documents, wire binding, wire bound booklets

Coil Binding

Continuous plastic coil binding uses the same punching process as for wire binding, however is finished by threading a continuous plastic coil through the punched holes.

  • We punch the document at a 4:1 ratio (four holes per inch).
  • Coil binding offers the huge advantage of permanency.   Pages can only be removed by intentionally tearing them out of the spine.   It is not possible to add or replace pages.
  • Coil binding is perfect for due diligence record logs and other documents.   The booklets can be handled continuously and folded fully back on themselves without coming apart.
  • However note the two sides of an opened-out coil bound booklet are offset by a couple of millimetres.  Therefore for presentations and workbooks, you may prefer wire binding.
  • Plastic binding coils are available in popular colours and various diameters to suit different booklet thicknesses.   We can provide coils to specific RAL colours on high volume orders.
  • Same/next-day service normally available on this option.
Coil Binding a1Sovereign

Comb Binding

Comb binding is one of the simplest “office” ways of binding a document.

  • To comb bind, we punch a series of rectangular slots along the opening edge.  21 slots is standard for an A4 document. Then a sprung, plastic comb is closed onto the punched slots.
  • Advantages of comb binding are, the finished book opens flat, making pages easy to read and copy.   You can open and re-use the comb (using a dedicated comb opener/closer) with pages added/replaced. 
  • We can supply plastic combs in various colours and sizes to match your project.  Combs can be sourced to any RAL colour for large orders or for regular orders.
  • Whilst we do still offer a comb binding service, most of our customers prefer an alternative nowadays.   Wire or coil binding offers enhanced presentation and permanency for no additional cost.
ways to bind documents, comb binding, comb bound booklets

Saddle Stitching

Saddle-stitching simply secures loose leaf papers down the folded middle with staples.

  • Using the least materials of all binding methods, saddle stitching is one of the most cost effective ways to bind booklets.
  • There are a couple of considerations however – generally it is good practice to trim the opposite edge to the stitch, to give an even finish.  Otherwise the inner pages would stick out further than the outer pages, which does not look professional.
  • Depending on the thickness of the booklet, some customers like the saddle stitched spine to be finished with a square fold, to make them sit flat.
  • Our Duplo DBM-150T booklet maker & in-line Plockmatic SQ-104 finisher both trims and square folds booklets in one pass.
  • Same/next-day service normally available on this option.

Perfect Binding

Paperback books are the most well known examples of perfect binding.

  • Giving a permanent and professional finish, pages cannot be removed, added or replaced.
  • However pages are more difficult to photocopy, compared to other binding methods, as the book doesn’t open flat.
  • There are two different popular types of perfect binding:
    • the simpler process using EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) hot melt glue & roller application,
    • the more complex PUR (polyurethane reactive adhesive) process gives the strongest finish, suitable for thicker books and catalogues.
  • Minimum order quantities apply.
ways to bind documents, perfect binding, perfect bound books

a1Sovereign – providing local printing & photocopying, laminating/encapsulating and document binding to businesses, organisations and individuals throughout Berkshire, Oxfordshire and beyond.   Places we deliver to include Abingdon, Aldermaston, Ascot, Ashampstead, Banbury, Basingstoke, Benson, Bicester, Bracknell, Burghfield, Carterton, Chipping Norton, Cholsey, Cookham, Crowmarsh, Crowthorne, Didcot, Earley, Eton, Faringdon, Farnborough, Fleet, Goring, Hampstead Norreys, Henley on Thames, High Wycombe, Hook, Hungerford, Lambourn, Loudwater, Lower Basildon, Maidenhead, Mapledurham, Marlow, Midgham, Mortimer, Nettlebed, Newbury, Oxford, Pangbourne, Purley on Thames, Reading, Sandhurst, Slough, Streatley, Tadley, Taplow, Thame, Theale, Thatcham, Tidmarsh, Tilehurst, Upper Basildon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington, Whitchurch on Thames, Windsor, Witney, Wokingham, Wooburn Green, Woodcote, Woodley, Woodstock, Yateley… plus all other towns, villages and surrounding areas.