October 2007 –Versatile mechanical binding offers plenty of design choices

When your project calls for a visually attractive binding that is made to be used again and again, mechanical binding is the answer. Functional and versatile, there is a mechanical binding style to suit almost any purpose and budget.

Because mechanical binding lies flat and is durable, it’s a perennial favorite for items like cookbooks, technical manuals, annual reports, calendars and journals. A wide variety of design options can be included such as index tabs, foldouts, mixed stocks, synthetic substrates and in some cases, crossover images. Here is a quick review of the different types of mechanical binding:

Wire-O™ - The gold-standard in mechanical binding, Wire-O combines timeless style with strength. Truly lay flat with no step-up, it’s perfect for projects with crossover images and opens 360 degrees.

Plastic Coil – Also known as plastic spiral, plastic coil springs back and holds its shape, even when stepped upon. This makes it ideal for items like children’s books and cookbooks. Because plastic coil bound books “step-up” when open, this binding method is not recommended for projects with image design elements that cross over the gutter.

Plastic comb - This binding style uses a thick comb to bind the book. Plastic comb does not step up when opened, making it ideal for projects with crossover images. In addition, plastic combs can be printed to allow titles to be read from a bookshelf and offers the flexibility to add and remove pages as needed.

Cover Options
Cover materials for mechanical binding range include text or cover weight paper, board, turned edge covers and even leather or plastic. Cover decoration processes like foil stamping, embossing and debossing can be added. In addition to soft and hard covers, there are other truly unique, impressive cover design options that can be incorporated into your project, including semi-concealed, fully-concealed or wrap-around and cased in Wire-O.

Semi-Concealed – Semi-concealed covers are made from a single piece of cover weight paper, punched near the back cover hinge score so it can be bound into the mechanical binding loops. The binding elements can be seen on the finished product.

Fully-Concealed – Fully concealed covers also are constructed from a single piece of cover-weight stock and punched to insert the binding elements, but this style uses extra material to wrap around the spine and face of the book, hiding the binding elements. The most common application for a fully-concealed wraparound cover is a project that needs a printable spine.

About the Riverside Group
Located in Rochester, New York, The Riverside Group can assist you in creating unique, attractive and durable mechanically-bound books. We also provide perfect and PUR adhesive binding, case binding, die-cutting, folding, gluing and attaching, UV coating, foil stamping and embossing, laminating and much more. From large runs to handwork, our skill and expertise shows in our attention to detail and exceptional customer service. Contact us today to discuss your next mechanical binding project.