Spiral binding, otherwise known as coil binding, is one of the most common ways to bind print materials. So, what exactly is spiral binding? Spiral bound books have a wire or plastic coil inserted through holes punched in the edge of the paper – picture a student planner or lined notebook.
This durable form of binding can be useful for documents or booklets that are in constant use, are referenced often or need to lay flat. Find out more about this popular binding method and the benefits it can have for your next print project.
The Spiral Binding Process
For a book to be spiral bound, holes are be punched through the cover and pages to allow the binding to be inserted. Once the pages are printed, collated and aligned, the coil may be threaded through. This can be done by hand or with an electronic coil inserter, which can make the process faster and easier. Finally, coil crimping pliers are used to snip off the end of the coil, providing a finished look and preventing the pages from slipping.
Related: What Book Binding Method is Right for Your Print Job?
Advantages of Spiral Binding
Spiral bound books provide a number of benefits, making this binding a great option for a variety of projects. Here are some of the advantages spiral binding offers:
- Books bound with this method can open a full 360 degrees, allowing all the information on the pages to be seen easily when the book is folded back on itself.
- The pages of the book rotate around the coil easily, allowing the pages to stay put without the reader having to use their hands. Readers can refer to the book often while accomplishing tasks that require constant use of their hands.
- Spirals come in various diameters to accommodate books of varying thickness.
- Spiral bound books work well with index tabs, which can be valuable in helping the reader find information quickly by simply flipping to the tabbed section.
- The spiral binding process is a simple one, as it does not involve adhesives, folded signatures or a lot of preparation. This makes it a popular and affordable choice, especially for books with shorter production runs.
- Spiral binding is very durable when compared to similar binding alternatives.
- Spirals comes in a variety of colors and materials, which can add to the aesthetic appeal of the book.
In the world of book binding, spiral binding is a popular choice. The finished product is both durable and simple to use, and it can be a great option for a document or manual that requires hands free, full page visibility. To find out if this option is right for your book binding project, contact the print experts at Ironmark today!
