Comb or wire binding? How to choose a binding machine

A bound report looks neat and is easy to read. Offices in Qatar bind tender files, proposals, training manuals and monthly reports. Schools bind project work and portfolios. If you bind more than a few documents a month, your own binding machine saves a lot of trips. Here is how to choose between comb and wire binding.

Comb binding: simple and easy to change

Comb binding uses a plastic comb with curved "fingers". The machine punches a row of rectangular holes, opens the comb, and you place the pages on it.

• Easy to edit. You can open the comb again to add or remove pages. Good for manuals that change.
• Many sizes. Combs come in different diameters. A bigger diameter holds more pages.
• Many colours. Black, white, blue and more, so you can match your company colours.
• Low running cost. Good for schools and busy offices.

The downside: comb-bound books do not fold all the way back, and they look a little less formal.

Wire binding: neat and professional

Wire binding uses a metal double-loop wire. The machine punches small round holes, you put the wire through, and then you close it with the machine.

• Looks premium. Popular for proposals, client reports and company profiles.
• Opens flat. The book can fold back fully, which is nice for desk calendars and notebooks.
• Harder to change. Once the wire is closed, adding pages is not easy.

Wires are sold by pitch and diameter. You will often see "3:1", which means three holes per inch. Your wire must match the hole pitch of your machine, so check the machine before you buy wires.

Manual or electric machine?

A manual machine uses a hand lever to punch. It is fine for a small office or a school that binds a few books a week. An electric machine punches with a button. It is faster and easier on the hands when you bind many reports, for example before a tender deadline. Some machines do both comb and wire, which is useful if you want both looks.

Do not forget the covers

A clear PVC front cover protects the first page and shows the title. A coloured or card back cover keeps the book strong. Most offices use a clear front and a coloured back. Covers come in A4 and A3, so match the size of your pages.

Quick tips for good binding

1. Check the punch capacity of your machine. Punch thick reports in small batches.
2. Pick the comb or wire size by counting your sheets, then check the size chart on the pack.
3. Line up all pages and covers before punching so the holes are straight.
4. Use good paper. See our A4 paper guide for which GSM to use.
5. Want a cover page that lasts? You can also laminate it. Read our laminating machine guide.

Do not want a machine?

If you only bind once in a while, let us do it. Our printing team offers spiral binding and other binding services, including hard binding for thesis and project books.

Order binding supplies in Doha

Browse binding machines, binding combs, binding wires and binding covers.

Not sure which size you need? Send us a message on WhatsApp with the number of pages you usually bind. For binding services, WhatsApp our printing team. Raifa Centre is in Doha with branches in Barwa Village and Matar Qadeem, delivers across Qatar and accepts cash on delivery.