Plastic comb binding is the most popular binding method used in NorthAmerica. Also known as GBC Binding, Ibico Binding,plastic picnic plates set, Cerlox, Surlox orCombbind this binding method has been around for decades and is used byschools, businesses and print shops across the United States. In fact,you have probably seen cookbooks, reports, proposals and manuals boundwith plastic combs. However, if you are considering binding yourcompanies documents with plastic combs here are a six things you mightwant to know 1. Although the most commonly used color for plastic comb bindingis Black, plastic binding combs are available in more than twelvedifferent colors. The current colors that are readily available on themarket are: Black, White, Clear, Red, Yellow, Navy Blue, Royal Blue,Maroon, Forest Green, Kelly, Green, Gray and Brown.
In addition tothese colors it is sometimes possible to find plastic combs inspecialty styles such as the new GBC Matte Combs which are available inBlack and Frost or GBC Gel Combs (currently only available in SteelBlue). 2. Plastic comb binding supplies are available in sizes from 3/16up to 2. Combs that are 3/16 1-1/8 are round in shape. Combs thatare 1-1/4 up to 2 are oval in shape and have specially designed locksto prevent the document from coming apart if it is picked up by thespine. Although plastic combs are available in 3/16 these combs arevery small and difficult to use.
It is best to bind documents withcombs no smaller than ¼ 3. Plastic comb binding uses a 19 ring hole pattern (19rectangular holes along a 11 piece of paper). However, combs arereadily available in 15 ring lengths for binding half size books (orfor landscape binding), in 21 ring lengths for A4 binding and in 24ring lengths for binding legal sized documents. Other lengths ofplastic combs are available by special order in select colors. However,please note that if you want to bind a document with plastic combs thatare longer or shorter than 11 you need to make sure that your bindingmachine has disengageable dies to ensure that the holes dont run offthe end of your paper. 4. Binding documents using plastic combs requires a special devicecalled a comb opener. Most desktop comb binding machines include aplastic comb opener. However, larger electric binding punches willsometimes require a standalone comb opener. In order to use the combopener on your machine you simply place the comb onto the opener andpull the handle to open the comb you then insert the pages of yourdocument (which you have already punched with your binding machine)onto the comb and then release the handle to allow the comb to close. 5. Plastic comb binding spines can be imprinted with the name ofyour company, your company logo or the name of your report.
Thisimprinting is done by either foil stamping or silk screening theinformation onto the comb. For a quote on having your informationprinted onto plastic comb binding supplies simply give us a call. 6. Many plastic comb binding machines have an adjustable depth ofpunch margin control. This control allows you to select how far theholes are located from the edge of the page. This depth of margincontrol is important for use with very small combs so that the pagesturn freely and very large combs so that the pages do not tear out fromyour documents.If you are considering plastic comb binding as an option for youroffice or already have a plastic comb binding machine hopefully thesesix things have been helpful for you. However, if you have morequestions just remember, it never hurts to ask.
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