Machine Type

There are different methods of binding documents on the market and it can feel like stepping through a minefield trying to make the right choice.

Comb Binders
This is the most popular choice of binder on the market currently. The plastic combs used to bind the document are inexpensive compared to other binding methods and finished document can be opened out completely flat or beyond!

Wire Binders
Similar in most respects to the comb binder in terms of binding method. It gives a more robust spine to the document. Wire binding gives a more professional finish, although fewer pages can be bound together using this method. Wire binders use 34 loop wires.

Comb / Wire Binders
The combination binders, often called combo or multi binders, allow you to bind both comb and wire documents. This offers more flexibility for the user but be careful because these machines use 21 loop wires unlike the standard wire binders as shown above.

Click Binders
Click binders are very similar to comb binders but the click combs are re-openable so if you wish to add a page or to without ruining the comb you can. Another added benefit is that the combs are environmentally friendly!

Strip Binders
Strip binders are used for binding larger documents and offer a secure binding mechanism. The plastic strips are welded together during the binding process giving a robust, tamperproof finish.

Thermal Binders
Thermal binders allow you to bind documents securely and professionally in a single operation. The spine of the special covers contains a hot-melt adhesive that the document pages adhere to during the binding process. They are very easy to operate and give a secure and professional looking document.

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Typical Usage

Binding machines can wear out very quickly if they are over used. Rather than suggest which environment a machine was best suited for, such as at home or in the office, we have categorised them based on durability and flexibility. The higher end machines tend to be more robust, punch more sheets and accept a greater range of comb and wires sizes etc.

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Bind Size

This is literally the size of document that the machine can bind. Whilst the majority of binding machines are designed to bind A4 documents some will also bind A5. Not all machines have this facility so be careful!

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Sheet Capacity

This is the number of pages that the machine can bind with the appropriate size comb, wire etc. Strip binders and comb binders tend to bind the most pages whereas thermal and wire bind less but look more professional.

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Punch Capacity

The binder punch capacity is the number of sheets that can be punched at a time. If you have large documents to bind, the more sheets you can do at a time the better! Be careful not to punch more sheets than the manual recommends, otherwise you will break the punching mechanism.

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Operation

Electric or manual refers to the punching mechanism. If you bind a lot of documents on a regular basis an electric machine maybe the better option. The most common part of a binder to break is the punching handle, typically due to overuse or excessive force applied during the punching operation.

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Price

Whilst price is an important consideration it should not be the overruling factor in the choice you make. If you try to purchase a binder to fit a pre-determined budget you may find that your choice does not perform as well as expected and you are back in the market for another sooner rather than later.