Mechanical Binding:

Mechanical binding allows the book to be opened a full 360 degrees. Best for high-use and frequently-used products (such as reference books, cook books, calendars, brochures, etc.).

Plastic spiral coil with oval holes
This binding requires coiling a plastic binding material in a spiral format through holes punched along the spine of the book. The book can be opened 360 degrees and will lay flat when opened. Plastic spiral coils are available (not all colours are stocked by PBS but can be special ordered) in 22 colors plus 13 metallics.

Wire-o® loops with rectangular holes (also known as double loop binding)
Wire-o ® binding is produced using pre-formed wire loops that are bound in pairs down the spine of a book. Wire-o ® bound books can be opened 360 degrees (for single-handed use such as cook books) and will lay flat when opened.

Wire-o ® binding is an attractive method of binding. It holds up well to high use and is available in eight colours (not all are stocked at PBS but can be special ordered) – white, cream, blue, green, red, gold, pewter and black. One of the advantages of Wire-o ® binding is that mixed paper stocks and weights can be easily used in the same product. Additionally, foldouts, pockets, index tabs and die cuts and other creative options can be easily incorporated in the wire-o ® bound product. A hidden spine (wrap around cover) can provide a printable spine for Wire-o ® bound books.

All three punches are capable of either oval (for plastic spiral coil) or rectangular (for Wire-o ®) hole punching. With three punches available, speed and efficiency of punching and then sending on to the next step (coiling or wire-o) becomes a fast and productive process.