coilbinding

Coil binding, also known as plastic coil binding or spiral binding, is a common method of document binding. It utilizes a durable plastic coil that is threaded through a series of punched holes along the edge of the document pages. The plastic coil is continuous and can be of various colors and diameters, allowing for different page capacities and aesthetic choices.

The process begins with punching rectangular holes along the spine of the document. A specialized machine, either manual or electric, is used for this purpose. The number and spacing of the holes are standardized to ensure proper alignment with the coil. Once the pages are punched, a plastic coil is fed through the holes, typically using a binding machine that rotates the coil. The ends of the coil are then secured, usually by heat-sealing or by using a specialized tool to crimp them.

Coil binding offers several advantages. Documents bound with plastic coil lie flat and can be opened a full 360 degrees, making them easy to read and write on. The plastic coil is also very durable and resistant to tearing, bending, or breaking, making it suitable for frequently used documents. It can accommodate a wide range of page counts, from thin booklets to thick reports. Furthermore, the wide variety of coil colors available allows for customization and brand differentiation. Common applications include reports, notebooks, manuals, calendars, and presentations.