Wire Binding Elements Explained: Pitch, Size and Page Capacity

Choose binding wire or comb from the measured thickness of the complete punched book, covers included, not page count alone. The charts below give planning ranges for 80gsm paper.

📊 Wire size and capacity (80gsm)

Wire diameter	Typical 80gsm sheets	Common pitch
11 mm	About 60 to 80 sheets, depending on covers	2:1 or 3:1, match the listing and machine
16 mm	About 120 to 140 sheets	Pitch-specific formats
19 to 22 mm	About 160 to 190 sheets	Usually 2:1 for thicker documents
25.4 to 32 mm	About 220 to 280 sheets	2:1

📊 Plastic comb size and capacity (80gsm)

Comb size	Approx. sheets	Suits
12 mm	About 70 to 85	Short reports and workbooks
22 mm	About 150 to 175	Medium training manuals
32 mm	About 250 to 280	Thick reference documents

📝 Note: these are planning ranges, not guarantees. Cardstock covers, laminated sheets, dividers and heavier paper add thickness quickly, so a book on 120gsm paper holds fewer sheets than one on 80gsm. Test your actual paper, covers and finishing.

📏 Pitch comes first

Pitch is the number of holes per inch. A 2:1 wire must go with a 2:1 punch pattern and 3:1 with 3:1, whatever the diameter looks like. See 2:1 vs 3:1 pitch.

🧮 Worked example: 30-page A5 notebook, 2:1 pitch

For a 30-page A5 notebook punched for 2:1 pitch, the 11 mm element is the smallest listed size that fits. It is sold in packs of 100, in the colours shown on the product. Do not carry a size from one project to another without checking the total thickness.

📋 What to tell us if you need help

Pitch or punch pattern, finished page or sheet count and paper GSM.
Cover and divider materials, the colour needed and the number of books.

Measure the book yourself first: how to measure and choose.

🏭 If Valenna is printing and binding your books

Select the available wire colour and construction on the product page. If an option is not shown, add it in the product Notes field or raise a ticket before ordering. The website or cart selection and any written confirmation against the order are controlling.

Wire and Comb Binding Size and Page Capacity Chart | Valenna