How to Bind a Document using Spiral-O Wire

Spiral-O wire binding supplies are a great solution if you currently have a Comb Binding machine and are looking at expanding your binding capabilities on a tight budget. The reason being is that Spiral-O wire uses the same rectangular holes as comb bindings. All you need are the bindings themselves, a wire closer and the steps below to make a beautiful bound book:   1. The first step to binding documents using Spiral-O wire is to prepare your document. If you are going to use paper or plastic binding covers, you should assemble your books with the covers in place. You will often find that your punch will be more effective if you punch the covers apart from the book since they are often thicker than the pages inside of the book itself. After you have assembled your document, you need to measure your book so that you can choose the correct size of wire for your presentation. In order to choose the correct size of spiral-o just measure the thickness of the document (do not compress the pages) and add 1/8” to allow your pages to move freely. Spiral-o binding spines are available in sizes from 1/4” and 1” in diameter.   2. The second step to binding documents with 19-loop wire is to set up your binding machine. Since you will be using your comb binding punch you will simply need to set up your punch just like you are punching a document for comb binding. You will need to adjust the edge of paper guide to properly center the 19 holes on your paper. You will also need to set the depth of punch margin control to the middle setting and disengage any necessary pins, so the holes do not run off the edge of your pages.   3. Now that your document is ready and your machine is set up, you are finally ready to punch your document. For the best results, you are going to want to punch your document in small sections or lifts. Depending on your binding machine these lifts might be as small as just a few pages or as large as thirty to forty pages. Either way, you are going to want to punch your documents in small sections and reassemble your documents so that they are ready for the next step.   4. Finally, you are ready to finish the binding process and add the wire to the edge of your book. Depending on which binding machine you are using, there may or may not be a wire holder. If there is a wire holder, you will want to hang the wire on the wire holder than then hang the pages onto the wire. If your machine does not have a wire holder, you will need to carefully insert the binding spine through the holes in the book by hand. When the c-shaped spiral-o wire is inserted onto the edge of the book you then need to insert it into your wire closer open side down (making sure that the wire closer is set to the appropriate size) and then pull the handle to squeeze the wire shut.     That’s it. 4 easy steps and you have a new binding method and a very fancy looking book on your hands.