Faster and More Efficient Spiral Binding

Spiral binding is one of the most popular ways to permanently hold documents together. Holes are punched into the pages before inserting a Plastic Coil that creates a flexible spine. There are several advantages to this method of binding, including its low cost and range of sizes. At each step of the process, purpose-built tools make the job of spiral binding much more efficient. Professional bindery houses use this equipment not only to speed up the time it takes to complete each volume but to eliminate human error and inconsistencies.

Electric Punch

Most people are familiar with standard hole punches. They can accommodate four or five sheets of paper, but jam or won’t punch all the way through when presented with a thicker pile.  The same can be said for manual spiral coil punches. A high-volume electric binding punch can accommodate upwards of 25 sheets of 20lb paper, depending on the model, and dramatically reduces the labour required to prepare the document for its spiral coil. They are also designed to punch through the document covers, which are usually made from heavier stock or vinyl. The holes are uniform and perfectly aligned. Electric punches often come with a coil inserter but may also be purchased as a stand-alone item.

Spiral Coil Inserter

A spiral binding coil can be inserted manually by twisting the binding through the holes. This can be a frustrating and lengthy task. However, with an Electric inserter, all you need to do is insert the coil through the first couple of holes manually and then the coil inserter will finish the job for you with speed and precision.

Electric Crimper

The spiral binding coil will unravel if the ends aren’t cut and crimped after it’s inserted into the document. Cutting and crimping pliers work well but can slow you down when producing a large amount books. An electric crimper neatly trims any excess and bends the ends so that the spiral coil won’t detach. Some models cut and crimp one side at a time, while others take care of both ends in one easy step. An electric crimper can be purchased either independently or in combination with a punch and coil inserter.   The groupings of tools to make spiral binding more efficient vary according to user requirements and are very much driven by number of books needed to produce per month. If you only have occasional need for bound documents, you may not require a machine that includes an electric punch and crimper. For those who have an on-going need for spiral binding, however, the ideal combination automates all three functions for a uniform and consistently professional result.