Choose binding by how the item must open, how permanent it should be and the equipment you have. Then measure the whole punched stack to pick the element size.
🔗 Pick the binding
| Binding | Why choose it |
|---|
| Wire | Neat permanent finish. Pages open flat and turn fully. Notebooks, planners, proposals |
| Plastic comb | Pages may need changing, with the correct opener. Manuals, school projects |
| Top wire | Flip-style notepads and some calendars |
⚠️ Warning: wire binding is permanent. Replacing covers needs a compatible punch pattern and a new wire, because the closed wire cannot be reused.
📏 How to measure the document
- Assemble the complete document, including covers, dividers and inserts.
- Square the binding edge and compress the stack naturally, without crushing it.
- Measure the thickness in millimetres at the binding edge.
- Confirm the machine's punch pattern: 2:1 and 3:1 elements are not interchangeable.
- Choose the next suitable size from the chart so pages turn freely without excessive space.
Count sheets only as a secondary check, because paper GSM and covers change the finished thickness. Choose the size on the size and page-capacity chart.
💡 Tip: bind one sample first. An undersized wire makes pages stick, and an oversized one leaves loose pages and a gap.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I reopen a wire binding?
No. It is designed for one permanent closure.
👉 Related guides and next steps