Comb binding
{{Short description|Method of binding pages into a book}}
| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Spine capacity | ||
| Inches | Millimeters | Sheets of paper |
|---|---|---|
| {{Frac|3|16}}" | 4 mm | 16 |
| {{Frac|1|4}}" | 6 mm | 25 |
| {{Frac|5|16}}" | 8 mm | 40 |
| {{Frac|3|8}}" | 10 mm | 55 |
| {{Frac|7|16}}" | 11 mm | 70 |
| {{Frac|1|2}}" | 12 mm | 85 |
| {{Frac|9|16}}" | 14 mm | 100 |
| {{Frac|5|8}}" | 16 mm | 125 |
| {{Frac|3|4}}" | 20 mm | 150 |
| {{Frac|7|8}}" | 22 mm | 175 |
| 1" | 25 mm | 200 |
| {{Frac|1|1|8}}" | 28 mm | 250 |
| {{Frac|1|1|4}}" | 32 mm | 275 |
| {{Frac|1|1|2}}" | 38 mm | 325 |
| {{Frac|1|3|4}}" | 45 mm | 375 |
| 2" | 51 mm | 425 |
Comb binding (sometimes referred to as "cerlox" or "surelox" binding) is one of many ways to bind pages together into a book. This method uses round plastic spines with 19 rings (for US Letter size) or 21 rings (for A4 size) and a hole puncher that makes rectangular holes. Comb binding is sometimes referred to as plastic comb binding or spiral comb binding.
Binding process
To bind a document, the user first punches holes in the paper with a specialized hole punch. Pages must be punched a few at a time with most of these machines. If hard covers are desired, they must be punched as well. In bulk applications, a paper drilling machine may be used.
Then the user chooses a spine size that will match the document. Standard sizes are {{convert|3/16|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} (for 16 sheets of 20# paper) up to {{convert|2|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} (for 425 sheets). Spine lengths are generally {{convert|11|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} to match the length of letter-size paper.
The rings on the spine open and insert into the holes in the page, then rest against the body of the spine, resulting in a closure that can be opened again for making changes to the book.
image:Comb bind step1.JPG|Machine opening the spine
image:Comb bind step2.JPG|Pre-punched paper with spine rings through holes
image:Comb bind step3.JPG|Rings closed on paper
image:Comb bind step4.JPG|Completed book out of machine
Comparison with other punch binds
With this bind, the book lies flat but cannot be opened 360 degrees. For a book that can be opened such that the covers touch, a spine that does not have an obstructive body, such as a coil binding, is a better option.
References
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtWRmUYdzSc How To Comb Bind]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160320210023/http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/binding/qt/coil.htm About.com Desktop Publishing article]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Comb Binding}}