WHY USE A COIL BINDER?
Does the document need to be edited after binding?
Coil binding allows for you to edit after you bind. You can open the document, replace sheets and reclose the document easily. Other binding styles like thermal and tape require more work.
What look is required for the final document?
Coil binding allows you to lay the documents down flat, while velo and thermal binding can't. Velo and thermal binding are typically used for thicker documents which is why they don't have lie flat capabilities.
How many binds per day is required?
Number of binds per day will change depending on the production style being used, although it takes longer for larger documents because more sheets have to be punched and aligned.
WHY MIGHT YOU NOT WANT TO USE A COIL BINDER?
How many sheets need to be bound at once?
Velo binding machines have the greatest binding capacity with 3" thick worth of paper being bound at once. Coil and wire loop binding can only do documents of up to 1" thick.
How many sheets will need to be punched at one time?
Comb binders can punch upwards of 30 sheets per punch. Coil binding machines can only do up to 15 sheets per minute.
COMB BINDING
Comb binding is the most affordable binding option. Comb binding, like Coil binding, allows for the pages to lie flat. It is also possible to add or remove pages with a comb binder. Comb binding can do documents of up to 450 pages. The combs can be brought in a wide variety of colours and diameters, from 6 mm to 51 mm.
WIRE BINDING
Wire binding produces a professional and secure binding finish. The wire lets pages lie flat and rotate 360 degrees, which gives it ease of use and reference. Wire binding is suitable for any document up to 125 pages. The wire binding elements are available in a variety of colours and diameters from 5 mm to 14 mm.
CLICK BINDING
Click binding is the best way of producing professional documents that are easy to edit. The clicks are reusable, simply zip open and close to add or remove pages. Click bound documents let pages lie flat and rotate 360 degrees. It is suitable for documents up to 145 pages and clicks are available in a wide variety of colours and 3 sizes, 8 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm.
THERMAL BINDING
Thermal binding turns loose pages into a book bound finish in seconds. Using special ThermaBind covers with adhesive inserted into a pre-formed cover with a thermal binder. Thermal binders are a simple solution that enables fast, multiple production of bound documents from 2 to 240 pages long.
STRIP BINDER
GBC SureBind is totally secure and tamper-proof and is ideal for legal and confidential documents. Pages are locked into place by welding the two parts of the binding strip together. It is suitable for documents of up to 400 pages.
VeloBind provides the appearance of SureBind, but at a budget price. The documents can be easily updates and it is suitable for up to 200 pages.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BINDERS
Multi-functional binders allow for a variety of binding styles to be produced on one binder. The most popular type of multi-functional binder offer comb and 21 loop wire binding. Some premium multi-functional binders are also capable of 34 loop wire and click binding.
Multi-Functional binder with both electric comb and wire binding
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT AVERAGE COSTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BINDERS?
| Type of binder | Possible Specifications | Average price/range of prices in pounds |
| Coil, wire or plastic, manual | Punches up to 12 sheets and binds up to ??" thickness | 122.64 to 245.29 |
| Coil, wire or plastic, electric | Generally | 306.61 to several thousand pounds |
| Plastic Comb | Manual systems punching 5 - 7 pages and binding up to 20 pages. | 91.98 |
| Plastic Comb | High end Electric | Typically prices under 1226.43 |
| Wire Loop | Generally | Most wire loop binding machines are priced between 306.90 and 613.79 |
| Velo | Most velo production units | Sold from 1841.38 up to 6137.94 |
| Thermal (tape) | Most units | Sold from 1841.38 up to 6137.94 |
A comb binder
Picture of a strip for a strip binder
Picture of Thermal binding
Picture of a spine cassette for click binding
Picture of a spine for a wire binder
Picture of a spine for comb binding