When choosing a binding machine you will want to consider what kind of binding machine combs it will need
. Some combs are hard to come by and some are just plain hard to use. This article will discuss the benefits of the different binding machine combs so you can make an informed decision on what type of binding machine to ultimately purchase.
Binding machine combs are available in plastic or wire. Each machine takes different sizes and brands of combs but essentially they are similar to each other but differ in material. There are some differences in styles of combs as well.
When we speak of comb binding generally that is referring to using plastic combs. The edges of the pages to be bound are punched with holes along the edge where the plastic comb will be inserted. One of the big advantages of plastic comb binding is the ability to remove the binding without harming the actual product.
Wire binding is best used for reports, manuals and similar documents that are designed to lay flat. Wire binding uses a "C" shaped wire that is threaded though the hole punched sheets to bind them together.
With spiral binding a plastic or metal coil is threaded though hole punched documents. The advantage of spiral binding is being able to open the book or publication back on itself without damaging the spine.
Some other binding styles have become popular in recent years for instance Proclick and Zipbinding. These techniques utilize a particular brand of combs manufactured exclusively by the Ceneral Binding Corporation.
Determining which binding technique to use really depends on what type of document you want to produce. For general reports and office manuals that don't need updated frequently wire binding is a good choice. For atlases or documents that need to fold back on themselves spiral binding may be the best choice. Comb binding is a good choice for documents that may need to be edited or taken apart without damage.