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If you’re shopping around for a coil binding machine, you may want to take a look at a coil binding machine. Why? There are a lot of reasons why I consider coil binding to be one of the most superior book binding formats out there. Before I explain why I personally like coil binding, let me go over exactly what makes up a coil binding machine.

Coil binding machines, frequently called spiral binding machines, use a special plastic PVC coil to bind and hold sheets of paper together. This binding format is very similar in appearance to the lined spiral notebooks you can buy at the store for school purposes. The only difference is that PVC coil binding is available in multiple colors and doesn’t easily bend or break.

Coil binding comes in two different hole patterns, commonly referred to as the pitch. These are 4:1 pitch and 5:1 pitch. A 4:1 pitch is 4 holes per inch, which ends up being about 44 holes along an 11″ side of paper. A 5:1 pitch is 5 holes per inch and ends up being about 55 holes along the 11″ side of a sheet of paper. Between these two hole patterns, I find 4:1 pitch to be more popular. This is because it can be used to bind more sheets of paper.

4:1 Pitch Capacity: 2 to 230 sheets of paper (1/4″ to 1 1/4″ of paper)

5:1 Pitch Capacity: 2 to 152 sheets of paper (1/4″ to 13/16″ of paper)

The binding format you use ultimately depends on your own personal preference. I personally like both. A 4:1 pitch has a more spaced look where 5:1 pitch has a tighter look. Both can be used to bind reports, presentations and books. You will find, however, that 4:1 pitch coil supplies are more readily available online and locally.

A few binding machines I personally like include:

1. Akiles iCoil 41 Coil Binding Machine
2. Intelli-Bind IC310 Coil Binding Machine
3. Intelli-Bind IC410 Coil Binding Machine
4. Akiles CoilMac ER Coil Binding Machine
5. Akiles CoilMac-ECI Coil Binding Machine

These machines are all manual punch machines with an electric coil inserter. I personally think an electric coil inserter is a must-have accessory on a coil binding machine. Some entry-level machines don’t include an inserter, which means you will have to manually spin coils through the punched holes.

I really like coil binding because the spines look nice, the pages turn easily and pages can even be wrapped a full 360 degrees. I have used cookbooks bound in coil and I love the face that the pages wrap around and the books even lay flat for easy reading.

Coil binding is available in a wide variety of colors and diameters. If you need to bind books smaller than 11″, you simply cut off a little more coil when crimping the ends of the coil closed. It is simply a very versatile binding format. Here is a vide demo of a coil binding machine in use:

As you can see from this video, coil binding a book takes just a minute or so. It is easy to do, the machines typically hold up well and they can be used at home, in the office, at a school or in a church. Coil binding is both function and professional.

Did I mention that coil binding is extremely durable? You can drop coil bound books, step on them, stack other books on them and the coil will retain its look. The same can’t be said for comb binding or wire binding.

You can find Office Zone’s entire selection of coil binding machines here, coil binding supplies here and binding covers here.

Happy binding!

Everyone loves to eat.  Not everyone loves to cook, though.  However, everyone does appreciate those masterfully smart people that do cook.  Just as a noble knight is nothing without his sword, nor the magician without his spellbook, the master chef is nothing without their cookbook.  Making your own cookbook can be surprisingly easy.  Not to mention fast, affordable, and fun.  In this article I will show you how to make your own cookbook, one that will be loyally at your side whenever you need it.

What type of binding should I use?

All you really need to bind your fabulous cookbook is one simple machine.  But which one should you get?  There are more ways than one to make your own cookbook, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each.  The most convenient ways to bind your cookbook include comb binding, wire binding, and coil binding.

There are so many different manufacturers to choose from.  Which one should you use?  Out of the many different brands, I would select a machine between Akiles and Intelli-Bind.  Both offer great machines for the price.  Akiles has been around for a long time, and their machines have been tried, proven, tried, and proven again to be effective, while at the same time lasting a long, long time as well.  Intelli-Bind is the new kid on the block, equipped with the latest technology and unbeatable prices.  As I said before, both are great for the money.

You can also get manual binders or electric ones.  How you consider which option to go with depends on the money you want to spend, the time you have available, and the volume of binding you’ll be doing.  The end result will look the same regardless.

Comb Binding

The biggest advantage of comb binding is the amount of pages you can use.  Office Zone carries every comb size you need, ranging from 3/16” (12 sheet capacity) to 2” (425 sheet capacity).  Coils and wires max out at 230 sheets.  Another great advantage with combs is the ability to debind the book, add or take away more sheets, and rebind it.  While not the most professionally looking type of binding, it is the most economical.  Here is a great video that shows how a comb binder works:

Wire Binding

Wire binding comes in two different types: 2:1 pitch and 3:1 pitch.  This refers to how many holes per inch are in the punch.  2:1 pitch has 21 holes.  3:1 pitch has 32 holes.  Which should you choose?  Either works great, although the 3:1 typically looks better, but has a limitation of holding a maximum of 120 sheets.  2:1 can go up to 230 sheets.  You cannot debind wire binding supplies, and the color options are few.  Other than the aesthetic look, wire binding does has some limitations.  You can see how they operate here:

Coil Binding

This is the way to go for cookbooks, in my opinion.  Coil binding offers versatility, a professional look, and a good quality bind.  The best thing about coil binding is the ability to easily turn your pages all the way around from the front to the back.  One major thing to look for in a coil binder is the coil inserter.  This is an awesome feature that will save you lots of time, at the same time keeping your fingers from tiring too quickly.  The other thing you’ll need are the coil crimping pliers.  These make sure the document stays bound, thus making sure the coils don’t spin out of the punched document.  Most Akiles and Intelli-Bind machines comes with the crimping pliers for free.  Check out how these machines work here:

Ready . . . Set . . . Bind!

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of binding, you’re ready to make that cookbook that will rival Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, and chef Ramsey himself!

Disclaimer: Having a great cookbook does not make your recipes taste better, although it comes seriously close.

You can check out all of our binding equipment here.

If you have any other questions regarding binding, you can always contact our binding specialists at 800-543-5454.