MyBinding Knowledge Base
Why Should I Choose Plastic Comb Binding?
If you’re looking for a document finishing method, there are a lot of options available. However, plastic comb binding is one of the best and should definitely be considered.
- Price. Comb binding is extremely affordable and costs less than wire, thermal, and color coil binding. The combs themselves often only cost pennies per piece and you can get a decent binding machine for less than $100.00. It’s the way to go if you’re sticking to a budget but still want your documents to look their best.
- Availability. Comb binding has been around for a long time and it’s very popular. Therefore, it’s really easy to get the supplies you need. You can order them online or pick them up at a big box office supply store. You definitely won’t find thermal, wire, or coil supplies at your nearest store, that’s for sure.
- Variety. Plastic combs are available in a number of colors such as navy blue, black, maroon, and yellow. There are even clear ones that can make your documents look great. Also, combs range in diameter from 3/16” to 2”. Thus, you can use this binding methods to create books that are up to 425 pages long. And while most combs are designed for use with letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”) you can get combs for other sizes of paper. That makes this binding method incredibly versatile.
- Ease of use. If you’re looking for an easy bookbinding method, comb binding is the way to go. All you need to do is punch holes in your document, open the comb with your machine, and inserts the tines into the holes. You then close the comb and remove the document from the machine. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
- Functionality. Comb binding is perfect for personal and professional documents. You can use it to bind cookbooks, financial reports, sample books, proposals, school assignments, legal documents, and more. Also, the combs make the documents lie flat which makes them easy to read. The combs will also keep their shape if you mail your books. Plus, you can open the combs at a later date in case your document needs to be edited.
Plastic comb binding is one of the simplest bookbinding methods available. These are five reasons why you should consider it if you’re looking for a document finishing solution. Give it a try – you’ll be glad you did.
< 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)
