MyBinding Knowledge Base
What are the different weights of binding covers? How can I compare all the different thicknesses?
Our sales staff at MyBinding.com are commonly asked about the thicknesses of the binding covers that we carry on our site. Unfortunately, understanding the way that cover stocks are measured can be somewhat tricky since several different measuring standards are used. This article is designed to give you a quick overview of the different measuring standards used for the cover stocks that we carry.
- Most of the clear binding covers and poly binding covers available from MyBinding.com are measured in Mil’s (also sometimes referred to as gauge). At first glance, it might appear that this is a measurement in millimeters. However, one mil actually equals 0.001 inch. Thus a 10mil clear cover has a caliper measurement of 0.010 inches and a 19mil poly cover has a caliper measurement of 0.019 inches.
- The regency composition / leatherette covers that we carry are measured in points rather than mils. For instance, most of the regency composition / leatherette covers that we carry are rated as 17pt covers. Each point is equal to 0.001 inches (the same as mil’s or gauge). Thus the 17pt covers that we carry have a caliper measurement of approximately 0.017 inches.
- Most of the paper covers that we carry are measured in weights. For instance, GBC’s linen weave paper covers are made from 80lb cover stock. This measurement is the actual weight of 500 master sheets (25” x 38” in size for cover stocks). Depending on the type of paper you use, the weight is based on different master sheet sizes, making it very difficult to compare weights of bond paper with offset paper or index stock with cover stock. However, to give you an idea, 80lb cover stock is approximately equivalent to 9.5 Mils, 90lb cover stock is approximately equivalent to 10 Mils and 100lb cover stock is approximately equivalent to 11 Mils.
We know that this can all be a little bit confusing but to help you compare apples to apples, here is a quick reference chart that shows several of the different types of paper and their approximate equivalents. If you have any other questions, please feel free to comment below or contact us at sales@mybinding.com or 1-800-944-4573.
Paper Weights Table
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< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
