June 2004: Quality Mechanical Binding Starts at the Punch

Before a book can be bound with a mechanical binding element, the book components to be bound must be punched. The different styles of mechanical binding - Wire-O, spiral wire, plastic spiral and plastic comb - each require different styles of hole patterns. For example, Wire-O books bulking 1/2" or less need a 3:1 pitch (three holes per inch). Books bulking 1/2" or more will have a 2:1 pitch (two holes per inch). Hole shapes can be rectangular, square, round or oval.

TECHNICAL CORNER

Punching Terminology: Pitch Pitch refers to the spacing of punched holes. Pitch varies based on the details of the application, such as the thickness of a book or binding style. Layout Tip: When designing a project for Wire-O binding, remember to properly layout your copy so that you don't punch into text. For projects that require 3:1 punch patterns, leave 3/8" to 1/2" from the binding edge. If your books require a 2:1 pattern, allow for a punching margin of approximately 1/2" to 5/8".

Thicker Wire-O bound books – those bulking ½” or more – require a 2:1 pitch, or two holes per linear inch (bottom), while thinner books use a 3:1 pitch.”

Each hole pattern requires its own punching die, which is installed into a punching machine. At Eckhart & Company, we have three high-speed, fully automatic punching machines, two semi-automatic punching machines and two state-of-the art fully automatic book production lines with inline punching systems.

Our finished product size can have a spine length as short as 3-inches or as long as 20-inches, the latter of which is ideal for cost effective multiple-up production. Not only do these machines punch paper, but our equipment is capable of punching plastic, vinyl, chip board and other substrates as well.

To a casual observer, punching may sound like a simple process, but well planned, accurate punching goes a long way toward improving both turnaround times and finished appearance. Whether we're punching tabs for insertion into a ring binder or collated sheets for mechanical binding, let Eckhart & Company help you plan your projects for best results.

The Eckhart Advantage
We offer a complete array of punching machines, dies and operator experience. We can punch virtually any project, even as small as 3-inches. Would you like us to punch onion skin stock or 90-point board? Neither is a problem for your friends at Eckhart & Company. Combined with our complete line of book binding equipment, our punching capabilities are a knock out. Contact us to find out how we can put our technology and expertise to work for you on your next project!

Back Issues:

• May 2004  Fully Concealed Wire-O Covers

• 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