Why Plastic Comb just Won't Go Away

Estimated Reading Time

• 4 mins

TLDR

If you’ve been involved in binding for any time at all, you’ve probably come across comb binding—one of the oldest and most popular methods around. In this article, we’ll cover comb binding history, how it works, and why it has stood the test of time.

Comb binding has been a trusty companion for print shops, corporations, and consumers looking to hold documents together for decades. As a cost-effective, durable, and easy-to-implement method, comb binding has evolved to become tougher, more versatile, and more customizable than ever before.

In this article, we will cover:

• The origins of plastic comb binding
• Its rising popularity and evolution
• The diverse industries and applications it’s used for
• Why plastic comb binding endures
• Frequently asked questions about comb binding

The Origins of Plastic Comb Binding

Curious about comb binding history? While perfect binding (what we see on paperbacks and retail books) came out in the late 1800s, it wasn’t until after WWII that new methods came into play. Plastic was invented in the early 1900s, but it became increasingly popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Plastic comb binding took the world by storm starting in the 1950s, taking advantage of plastic’s durable, flexible, and affordable properties.

Primarily used in corporate settings and applications initially, it revolutionized corporate document binding. Since the size and complexity of traditional binding machines rendered them impractical for corporate users, comb binding became the go-to solution for those looking to keep binding work in-house.

Rising Popularity and Evolution

Today, we’re spoiled with computer-controlled thermal binding machines that can fit on a desk and pump out books indistinguishable from ones made by major publishers. But that wasn’t always the case. Unless you worked at a big book publisher, or were trained in the art of book binding, options were limited. That’s why comb binding took off for corporate document binding and other institutions that needed reliable, affordable binding.

But comb binding has changed a lot in the 70 years it's been around. Advances in plastic manufacturing have resulted in less brittle combs that are more resistant to repeated handling and use. In addition, modern combs come in a wide variety of sizes and colors that weren’t available in the past. With the advent of foil stamping and silk screening, plastic combs can now feature designs, company logos, or report names printed on the side.

Diverse Industries and Applications

While many industries embrace comb binding, a few rely on it extensively. Educational institutions use it to hold teaching materials, reports, and dissertations together. You can’t take apart a thermal or tape-bound book, but you can do it with comb—making it a more logical choice for documents that might be edited in the future. Law firms use it frequently for these reasons, but also for the variety of comb sizes that allow for thick case files and long legal documents. Corporate offices will also use comb for many applications, but you’ve likely seen it on manuals for machines and software, employee handbooks, presentations, project proposals, and portfolios. With their ability to easily lay flat while open, comb-bound books are ideal for reference manuals in any discipline.

Why Plastic Comb Binding Endures

Besides the familiarity many users have with this well-known method, there are many practical and logistical benefits that provide unique advantages versus other approaches. For one, combs can be reused without damage, allowing for a more eco-friendly impact and substantial cost savings. They’re durable, and are one of the

most long-lasting binding methods. They can also be easily opened and reclosed to allow for editing and updating documents as needed. In addition, comb binding machines themselves are among the most affordable out of all the choices on the market. With many machines being offered for $200 or less, you can get started on comb binding without breaking the bank. You don’t need to be a binding expert to operate them either, making them popular with home users and small offices.

Quick FAQs

What are the disadvantages of plastic comb binding?

Although the plastics used with comb binding have improved over time, they’re still capable of cracking or breaking, especially if they’re stored in places where heat and cold fluctuate drastically. In addition, while they lay flat easily, the pages of a comb bound document can’t spin 360 degrees like wire and coil. They also have a look that some people call “cheap” as compared to other methods.

What are the advantages of plastic comb binding?

Combs are one of the most affordable punch-and-bind solutions on the market, making for economical reports and proposals. They also come in a large selection of sizes to bind up to 1-7/8” thick books (about 425 sheets), plus many colors to choose from. Another differentiator is that they can be printed on the spine, letting you label your documents for easy organization.

Can you cut plastic binding combs?

Yes, and we love that. You can order custom comb lengths for larger quantities and to reduce waste, or even just trim them with scissors on the fly.

What is the difference between spiral bound and plastic comb?

While they both use plastic, spiral-bound books have pages that can spin 360 degrees, unlike comb. Comb-bound books are easier to edit and update, but the binding itself is more rigid and less flexible than coil. Coil also spins into small circular holes (about 42 holes on a letter size document) while a comb is inserted into larger rectangle holes (only 19 on a letter size document). Comb can be printed on the spine while coil is a spiral and cannot be printed. You can also edit comb-bound books and reuse the comb whereas with coil you would have to cut the coil and re-bind with a new one.

Plastic Comb is Here to Stay

An old reliable often called a “classic binding method,” plastic comb has stuck around because it gets the job done affordably and effectively. Surprisingly easy to use, you won’t need much more than a quick glance at a product manual to get up to speed using a comb binding machine. They’re efficient, and unlike most other types of binding, you can repeatedly take apart and reuse combs over and over again. With a wide range of comb sizes, colors, and printing options, you can make versatile and customizable documents.

Check out our vast inventory of high-quality comb binding machines today to dive deeper into the most popular binding method on the market.