Binding Documents and Books
eclipsePRINT offers several options for binding documents and books. Binding choices depend on the service required (quantity of documents, cost, production time) and the features of the binder (convenient handling, durability, re-entry, appearance and professionalism).
Combined with the bind, different cover options are available. You clarify what covers are to be used when discussing binding, and we'll ensure that all costs are included in quotations.
Our binding products are described below, grouped into document binding, book binding, and other binding categories.
Combined with the bind, different cover options are available. You clarify what covers are to be used when discussing binding, and we'll ensure that all costs are included in quotations.
Our binding products are described below, grouped into document binding, book binding, and other binding categories.
Document Binding
Plastic Comb
The binding “element” is made of fairly soft plastic, usually in black or in white, although some sizes are available in blue and red, as well. Plastic comb binders can takes up to 50mm or 480 pages
Recommended for: general purpose office and personal binding, and low-cost training material.
Advantages: low cost; fast binding time; the bound document is easy to handle and lies flat when opened; pages can be added or removed, and the same binding element is re-used; larger sizes have a D-shaped ring, as opposed the circular ring with medium and smaller sizes.
Disadvantages: has a utility / cheap appearance; does not fold back on itself entirely; the element tends to lose shape under heat e.g. hot car interior
The binding “element” is made of fairly soft plastic, usually in black or in white, although some sizes are available in blue and red, as well. Plastic comb binders can takes up to 50mm or 480 pages
Recommended for: general purpose office and personal binding, and low-cost training material.
Advantages: low cost; fast binding time; the bound document is easy to handle and lies flat when opened; pages can be added or removed, and the same binding element is re-used; larger sizes have a D-shaped ring, as opposed the circular ring with medium and smaller sizes.
Disadvantages: has a utility / cheap appearance; does not fold back on itself entirely; the element tends to lose shape under heat e.g. hot car interior
Coil
Also known as “continuous” coil, it does not require clamping to close the binding element - the element is turned onto the document with a rotating action. These are available in black, white, and clear colours, and can take up to 18mm or 170 pages.
Recommended for: presentation quality documents and documents used frequently, for example sales proposals and executive training material, catalogues, and restaurant menus.
Advantages: modest cost; quick binding time; the element appears integral to the document, as opposed to appearing as an “add-on”; the bound document is easy to handle and lies flat when opened; folds back on itself entirely; the element is resilient to being crushed and regains its shape after mistreatment; pages can be added or removed, and the same the same element is re-used.
Disadvantages: when opened, you may not appreciate the left and right halves of the document not lining up exactly. This is not usually seen as a problem, but rather as a detraction from an otherwise amazing bind.
Also known as “continuous” coil, it does not require clamping to close the binding element - the element is turned onto the document with a rotating action. These are available in black, white, and clear colours, and can take up to 18mm or 170 pages.
Recommended for: presentation quality documents and documents used frequently, for example sales proposals and executive training material, catalogues, and restaurant menus.
Advantages: modest cost; quick binding time; the element appears integral to the document, as opposed to appearing as an “add-on”; the bound document is easy to handle and lies flat when opened; folds back on itself entirely; the element is resilient to being crushed and regains its shape after mistreatment; pages can be added or removed, and the same the same element is re-used.
Disadvantages: when opened, you may not appreciate the left and right halves of the document not lining up exactly. This is not usually seen as a problem, but rather as a detraction from an otherwise amazing bind.
Wire
Sometimes referred to as “wiro” binding, or “twin-wire” binding. The binding element is clamped onto to the pre-punched document. Usually perceived to be more “classy” than comb binders, but challenged by coil binders as a better choice. We bind documents up to size A2 (long side)! That includes binding A3 long side/edge, A3 short side/edge. No problem! Black, white and silver colours are available, and we take sizes up to 32mm or 320 pages. Holes are pitched 3:1 for sizes up to 14mm, and 2:1 pitch for greater than 14mm documents.
Recommended for: presentation quality documents and documents used frequently but carefully, for example sales proposals, catalogues and education and training manuals.
Advantages: modest cost; quick binding time; looks good, but nevertheless has that retro-fitted appearance; folds back on itself.
Disadvantages: the binding element remains deformed after rough treatment; a new element is required when pages are added to, or removed from a bound document.
Sometimes referred to as “wiro” binding, or “twin-wire” binding. The binding element is clamped onto to the pre-punched document. Usually perceived to be more “classy” than comb binders, but challenged by coil binders as a better choice. We bind documents up to size A2 (long side)! That includes binding A3 long side/edge, A3 short side/edge. No problem! Black, white and silver colours are available, and we take sizes up to 32mm or 320 pages. Holes are pitched 3:1 for sizes up to 14mm, and 2:1 pitch for greater than 14mm documents.
Recommended for: presentation quality documents and documents used frequently but carefully, for example sales proposals, catalogues and education and training manuals.
Advantages: modest cost; quick binding time; looks good, but nevertheless has that retro-fitted appearance; folds back on itself.
Disadvantages: the binding element remains deformed after rough treatment; a new element is required when pages are added to, or removed from a bound document.
Staple and Tape
The document is stapled along the side, and binding tape covers the staples and the spine.
Recommended for: low cost needs
Advantages: cheap; quick; has element of “security” - it is often possible to see if the bind has been opened covertly.
Disadvantages: when opened, the document will not easily lie flat, or remain open
The document is stapled along the side, and binding tape covers the staples and the spine.
Recommended for: low cost needs
Advantages: cheap; quick; has element of “security” - it is often possible to see if the bind has been opened covertly.
Disadvantages: when opened, the document will not easily lie flat, or remain open
Book Binding
Perfect Binding
This is the way in which paper-back books are bound. Perfect binding has a printed soft cover, glued to the spine.
Recommended for: books and manuals from about 50 to 400 pages.
Advantages: attractive; strong bind
Disadvantages: drying of the glue takes a few hours.
This is the way in which paper-back books are bound. Perfect binding has a printed soft cover, glued to the spine.
Recommended for: books and manuals from about 50 to 400 pages.
Advantages: attractive; strong bind
Disadvantages: drying of the glue takes a few hours.
Hard Cover Binding
This is a traditional and formal bind, used to reflect that the content of a book has great value, or that it is to be nurtured and treasured. We produce hard cover books in all sizes, standard or custom, up to size A3. Our processes are aimed at individual business and family needs, and are not geared to volume or re-sale production. Please allow minimum 4 working days for production of a hard cover book.
Our standard paper for picture books and coffee table books is 120g/sm “digital” paper. Digital paper is our preference – it has properties that produce good colour printing accuracy, are non- reflective compared to gloss papers, and have a silky satin feel to the finger tips. Other options are different thicknesses of digital paper (from 90g/sm to 160g/sm), coated papers (either satin or gloss), and also standard 80g/sm bond paper.
Recommended for: portfolios, tenders, wedding albums, recipe books, family/event memories, adoption portfolios, reports (especially thesis documents!), reflecting great value, effort, memories.
Advantages: Professional and appealing appearance, esteem.
Disadvantages: Higher cost; longer production time.
This is a traditional and formal bind, used to reflect that the content of a book has great value, or that it is to be nurtured and treasured. We produce hard cover books in all sizes, standard or custom, up to size A3. Our processes are aimed at individual business and family needs, and are not geared to volume or re-sale production. Please allow minimum 4 working days for production of a hard cover book.
Our standard paper for picture books and coffee table books is 120g/sm “digital” paper. Digital paper is our preference – it has properties that produce good colour printing accuracy, are non- reflective compared to gloss papers, and have a silky satin feel to the finger tips. Other options are different thicknesses of digital paper (from 90g/sm to 160g/sm), coated papers (either satin or gloss), and also standard 80g/sm bond paper.
Recommended for: portfolios, tenders, wedding albums, recipe books, family/event memories, adoption portfolios, reports (especially thesis documents!), reflecting great value, effort, memories.
Advantages: Professional and appealing appearance, esteem.
Disadvantages: Higher cost; longer production time.
Fold and Saddle Stitch
Alternatively known as “fold and staple”. Pages can be all of the same thickness, or optionally the cover page can be thicker than the interior. Pages are folded in half and stapled in two places on the fold. Thicker pages, such as the cover, are first scored (creased) to ensure a smooth, consistent fold. Up to 25 sheets of paper can be comfortably stapled.
Recommended for: magazines, education material, tourist guides, instruction manuals, catalogues.
Advantages: very cost effective and quick to assemble, simple and robust.
Disadvantages: does not easily lie flat when still new.
Alternatively known as “fold and staple”. Pages can be all of the same thickness, or optionally the cover page can be thicker than the interior. Pages are folded in half and stapled in two places on the fold. Thicker pages, such as the cover, are first scored (creased) to ensure a smooth, consistent fold. Up to 25 sheets of paper can be comfortably stapled.
Recommended for: magazines, education material, tourist guides, instruction manuals, catalogues.
Advantages: very cost effective and quick to assemble, simple and robust.
Disadvantages: does not easily lie flat when still new.
Other binding
Ring and Lever Arch File
Pages are punched with 2, 3 or 4 holes, for fitting to ring or lever arch files. Files are supplied either by ourselves or yourself. These can come in a variety of colours, and range in size from 20mm to 70mm of content pages.
Recommended for: education material, catalogues, quality management handbooks.
Advantages: pages can be added, removed and changed about very easily; available in different sizes; insert front and spine covers into protective sleeves.
Disadvantages: bulky - until eventually filled.
Pages are punched with 2, 3 or 4 holes, for fitting to ring or lever arch files. Files are supplied either by ourselves or yourself. These can come in a variety of colours, and range in size from 20mm to 70mm of content pages.
Recommended for: education material, catalogues, quality management handbooks.
Advantages: pages can be added, removed and changed about very easily; available in different sizes; insert front and spine covers into protective sleeves.
Disadvantages: bulky - until eventually filled.