May 2003: Plastic Comb Binding

Mechanical binding is often praised for its versatility. Books are able to lay flat, and multiple stocks can be easily included. While plastic spiral, Wire-O and spiral wire binding are popular for most mechanical binding applications, plastic comb binding is another option that gives books a distinctive look. Although plastic comb binding does not open 360 degrees like other mechanical binding styles, it does offer two distinct advantages. First, plastic comb binding elements can include screen printing, allowing books to be easily identified when displayed on store shelves. Second, pages can be added or removed as desired, making plastic comb binding suitable for extended-use applications.

Applications

Plastic comb binding elements are available in many colors to give you the creative freedom to blend them in with the design of the book; even PMS colors are available. Binding combs are available in diameters from 3/16" up to 2" and beyond, making plastic comb binding suitable for thicker applications such as cookbooks, children’s books and technical and reference manuals. Most comb binding elements 2" and thicker have a locking mechanism to ensure that pages don’t fall out.

Planning Tip: Unlike some mechanical binding styles, plastic comb binding can easily be centered along the binding edge of the book. That allows you to design books of any length without worrying about the location of the binding holes.

The Plastic Comb Binding Process

The first step in the plastic comb binding process is to gather and punch the text sheets. The comb elements are then opened on a machine, and the text block is placed on them. Since this is a semi-automatic process, plastic comb binding is most suitable for shorter-run projects.

The Eckhart Advantage

At Eckhart & Company, we can perform plastic comb binding as either a semi-automatic or manual production process. This allows us to be efficient for many different run lengths. As with all mechanical binding applications, let us help you design your project for both economical production and attractive results.

Back Issues:

• April 2004  Turn Your Mechanically Bound Book Into a Display Piece

• March 2004  Large Diameter Spiral Wire Binding

• February 2004  Perfect Binding

• January 2004  Our Capabilities

• December 2003  Turned Edge Advantages

• November 2003  Semi-Concealed Wire-O

• October 2003  The Advantages of UV Coating

• September 2003  Mechanical Binding Inserts

• August 2003  The Advantages of Prototypes

• July 2003  Calendars

• June 2003  Index Tabbing

• May 2003  Plastic Comb Binding

• April 2003  Mechanical Binding Options

• March 2003  News From BookTech

• February 2003  Plastic Spiral Binding

• January 2003  Serving Our Customers

• December 2002  Wire-O Covers

• November, 2002 Spiral Wire Production

• October, 2002 Wire-O Binding

• September, 2002 Mechanical Binding Basics

• August, 2002 Cased-In Wire-O