Frequently Asked Questions
Spiral Bound Books - FAQ
Q
What's the best: wire-o binding or plastic coil binding?
A
Both offer similar results enabling the pages not only to lay flat but turn back on themselves a full 360 degrees but wire-o, in our opinion, looks more professional. The lay-flat properties are the main reason people choose either of these binding methods. It's personal choice, of course, but commercially, wire-o tends to be more common; particularly with training companies whereas educational establishments tend to prefer plastic coils. Anywhere safety is a concern, plastic coil is preferred as the wire can be pulled out, straightened and used for other things than its intended purpose.
Q
I've had spiral bound books where the spiral simply winds off the pages. Is this common?
A
Not if the book was bound properly. The ends of the spiral should be crimped (turned in) which makes it more difficult to wind the spiral off the book pages.
Q
What types of book are best suited to spiral binding?
A
Spiral binding suits manuals, notebooks, recipe books; in fact any book where it's helpful to be able to read or write without the need to hold the book and where a wire may not be suitable for safety reasons.
Q
How is the bind formed?
A
The pages are gathered together and punched with a series of holes to the bound edge of the book. The plastic coil is then wound through the holes, trimmed and crimped to form the bind.