August 2005: Back to Basics: Wire-O Planning Tips

One of the advantages of Wire-O binding is its design versatility. Mixed stocks, index tabs, foldouts and wraparound covers can all be easily included.

At The Riverside Group, we offer useful tips and information on a variety of pertinent topics in this space. Occasionally, it’s good to get “back to the basics” and remind our readers of some essential binding tips.

This month, we cover Wire-O binding.Wire-O binding is popular for its versatility and user-friendliness. The ability to include index tabs, foldouts and mixed stocks – both in weight, finish and size – give you plenty of design freedom, while the binding elements allow pages to be folded 360 degrees for ease of use. Another advantage: Unlike other mechanical binding styles, Wire-O products do not “step-up” when opened. This means images, graphs, maps and charts meant to crossover from one page to the next will line up evenly.

Let’s take a look at a few Wire-O planning tips:

Build a Dummy – Supplying your finisher with a bulking dummy, or a mock-up of the finished piece, can go a long way toward efficient production. With a bulking dummy, your post press provider can measure margins, copy and punched hole placement, final trim size, tab placement and book bulk. It also gives us the ability to make suggestions that can enhance your final product.

Avoid Punching Into Type – To avoid losing text and images into the holes necessary for Wire-O binding, maintain consistent margins from the spine edge. For books using 3:1 wire (three holes per linear inch), leave a margin of at least 3/8” from the spine edge. For books using 2:1 wire, maintain a margin of 1/2”.

Design Tip: Looking for a little extra protection for your Wire-O piece? Consider semi- or fully-concealed covers, which offer extra room for copy and create a printable spine. Case-bound Wire-O binding is also possible at The Riverside Group. This style offers books the layflat capabilities of Wire-O with the protection and durability of a hardcover case.

The Riverside Advantage
Many Wire-O projects require a variety of post press operations, including index tabs, die cut windows, laminated covers and much more. At the Riverside Group, we can perform all of them under one roof, saving you time, money and headaches. Give us a call today to get started on your next Wire-O project!