Highlight Printing, a local printer near downtown Mpls, MN: Focus on Wire-O Binding  (also referred to as “double loop”).  

Binding should not be the last thought when planning a project…in fact, it should probably be among the first considerations.  The way a project is “bound” or “finished” is important because it gives the end user the first impression of what that book is about…it’s the first glimpse into the “feel” of the project.

The 4 biggest considerations when choosing a binding option:

• Audience
• Usage
• Durability
• The “feel” you are trying to convey

Additional things to consider when choosing a binding option:

• Storage
• Boxing and shipping
• How much white space is necessary for the binding edge?
• Does there need to be printing on the spine?
• Will there be updates and pages that need to be swapped out?
• Does the book need to be tamper resistant or tamper evident?
• And of course…cost.

Advantages of Wire-O:

• Pages turn easily
• Books lay flat
• 360 degree page turning
• Opposite pages are aligned (unlike spiral which “steps up”)
• Very Durable (but still metal – if it gets crushed, it stays crushed)
• Artwork is available on the spine with wrap-around covers (unlike spiral)
• Many colors available (but primarily used in black, white and silver)
• Heavy-duty, “techy” look that never goes out of style
• Cost effective at fairly low quantities

Additional thoughts:

• It is important to consider carefully the company you choose to do your bindery.  Bindery is the point in the production process where your project is most vulnerable…a whole lot of printing cost and effort can be wrecked pretty quickly if the binding isn’t done with care.  Always use a trusted source for bindery and finishing.
• Highlight Printing offers professional, commercial level bindery in-house – often producing your project cheaper, faster, and with  more “in-house” control than other print shops. 
• Highlight Printing inventories multiple sizes and colors of Wire-O binding material. 

Additonal Binding Options:

• Perfect Binding (this is like a soft-cover book)
• Spiral Binding (also referred to as “plastic coil”)
• GBC Binding
• Velo-binding
• Saddle Stitching (also called “booklet making”)
• Hard Cover (several options available)
• 3-ring Binders (also many creative options are available)

Ideas of types of things that get “bound”:

• Instruction Manuals
• Presentations
• Training Manuals
• Directories
• Workbooks
• Books
• Booklets
• Reference Guides
• Cookbooks

If you’d like to see samples and/or talk about your specific project, you can contact us @ 612.522.7600 or through our website @ www.highlightprinting.com   Watch for more “Bindery Quick Tips” in the weeks to come.  We welcome your comments to this blog.

The author, Lisa Bickford, president of Highlight Printing, is a veteran of the printing industry.  Since 1984 she has worked her way up through many areas of the industry before acquiring Highlight Printing in 1996 with her husband Don, who has also been in printing since the early 80’s.  The things she continues to find most satisfying are the wonderful business relationships that have developed with clients, vendors, & co-workers, and the energy that is created from challenge resolution.  You can email her directly at lisab@highlightprinting.com

This Printing Blog was launched in November, 2008, as a vehicle to share ideas, information, and innovationsTo see other topics within this blog, click HERE.

Highlight Printing, a local printer near downtown Mpls, MN: Focus on Spiral Binding  (also referred to as “plastic coil”).  

Binding should not be the last thought when planning a project…in fact, it should probably be among the first considerations.  The way a project is “bound” or “finished” is important because it gives the end user the first impression of what that book is about…it’s the first glimpse into the “feel” of the project.

The 4 biggest things to consider when choosing a binding option:

• Audience
• Usage
• Durability
• The “feel” you are trying to convey

Additional things to consider when choosing a binding option:

• Storage
• Boxing and shipping
• How much white space is necessary for the binding edge?
• Does there need to be printing on the spine?
• Will there be updates and pages that need to be swapped out?
• Does the book need to be tamper resistant or tamper evident?
• And of course…cost.

Advantages of spiral:

• Books lay flat
• 360 degree page turning
• Durable
• Crush and scratch resistant
• Many colors available (very cool for versioning)
• Modern, professional look
• Cost effective at fairly low quantities

Additional thoughts:

• It is important to consider carefully the company you choose to do your bindery.  Bindery is the point in the production process where your project is most vulnerable…a whole lot of printing cost and effort can be wrecked pretty quickly if the binding isn’t done with care.  Always use a trusted source for bindery and finishing.
• Highlight Printing offers professional, commercial level bindery in-house – often producing your project cheaper, faster, and with  more “in-house” control than other print shops. 
• Highlight Printing inventories many sizes and colors of plastic spiral coil. 

Additonal Binding Options:

• Perfect Binding (this is like a soft-cover book)
• Wire-O Binding (also referred to as “double loop”)
• GBC Binding
• Velo-binding
• Saddle Stitching (also called “booklet making”)
• Hard Cover (several options available)
• 3-ring Binders (also many creative options are available)

Ideas of types of things that get “bound”:

• Instruction Manuals
• Presentations
• Training Manuals
• Directories
• Workbooks
• Books
• Booklets
• Reference Guides

If you’d like to see samples and/or talk about your specific project, you can contact us @ 612.522.7600 or through our website @ www.highlightprinting.com   Watch for more “Bindery Quick Tips” in the weeks to come.  We welcome your comments to this blog.

The author, Lisa Bickford, president of Highlight Printing, is a veteran of the printing industry.  Since 1984 she has worked her way up through many areas of the industry before acquiring Highlight Printing in 1996 with her husband Don, who has also been in printing since the early 80’s.  The things she continues to find most satisfying are the wonderful business relationships that have developed with clients, vendors, & co-workers, and the energy that is created from challenge resolution.  You can email her directly at lisab@highlightprinting.com

This Printing Blog was launched in November, 2008, as a vehicle to share ideas, information, and innovationsTo see other topics within this blog, click HERE.