Binding Equipment: Product Overview

To assemble large reports, presentations, employee manuals, and other documents that require more than a staple or binder clip, binding equipment is the answer. Binding equipment can range from simple $100 machines to fully automated, high-capacity $4,000 workstations – here's a quick look at the most common types of binding equipment.

Plastic comb binding is popular because it's inexpensive and easily re-used. A plastic comb binding machine punches 19 small holes along the side of the pages being bound, and then snaps the plastic spine through the holes, locking the pages together. The comb can be manually snapped open to add more pages later.

Wire coil binding is familiar in spiral-bound notebooks. A coil of wire winds up through the pages, allowing the book to be laid open flat. Plastic coil binding is identical, except that the coil is made of plastic instead of metal wire.

Comb and coil binders all involve a two-step process: punching holes in the paper, then inserting the coil. Basic manual coil binding machines can be purchased for under $200, but be sure to read the product descriptions carefully: some sub-$100 machines are only inserters or punchers.

Electric coil binding machines are better if you have larger documents to bind – hundreds of pages – that would be difficult to punch and thread in a manual machine. Expect costs around $400 to $800 for these machines.

Thermal binding can provide a more professional look for your projects. Thermal binding uses covers with glue pre-applied to the spine. You simply place the pages of your book into the spine and insert into the binding machine, which heats the glue so it melts and sticks the pages together.

Thermal binding equipment is relatively inexpensive – you can get a basic thermal binding machine for around $100. Larger models, capable of handling longer spines and more pages, run $200 to $500. You will have higher costs per piece since you'll have to buy the pre-glued covers or special glue strips to insert into your own covers.

Working on in-house publishing projects? Find out more about laminating equipment.

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