Choosing the Correct Binding Wires
Wire Binding, often known by the original brand name of Wire-O or by the technical term of Double Loop Binding Wires, is one of the most common binding methods for books and documents. It can be used for binding a wide variety of documents from thin presentation books through to heavy manuals.
WHAT IS THE WIRE PITCH?
3:1 PITCH WIRES
This is the most common punching and signifies 3 holes per inch (25mm). Documents of up to 13mm can be bound using this hole spacing.
2:1 PITCH WIRESThis punching has 2 holes per inch (25mm). While it is mainly used for larger books of between 13mm and 32mm, we also stock smaller sizes of binding wires in this pitch. If using the smaller size wires it is necessary to adjust the depth gauge to ensure pages can open.
IBIWIRE PITCH
These wires are designed to fit the punching pattern for plastic comb binding which has longer rectangular holes with 21 holes punched on the long edge of A4.
WIRE LENGTHS
A4 AND A5 CUT LENGTHS.
Cut lengths of wire are available in A4 or A5, measured along the long edge of these paper sizes. If binding A4 documents on the short edge, you would need an A5 wire. For non-standard sizes the wires can be easily cut to the required length by using our small wire cutters.
WIRE DIAMETER
Traditionally, wire diameter is described in numbers that represent the number as 16ths of an inch. So a No. 16 wire has a 1” diameter.
We also show the sizes in millimetres for convenience. The wire diameter needs to be slightly larger than the thickness of the book for the pages to turn easily.
Below is a chart for reference when choosing the correct binding wire:
Renz & Presco Wires
Renz is a very well respected German brand, producing high quality cut wire. It is often considered to be the premium brand and as such, Renz wires are generally more expensive.
Renz wires are boxed in smaller quantities and packed on card sheets to prevent tangling, Renz wires are the ideal solution for copyshops and in-house printrooms, where there may be a greater need to hold a variety of sizes and colours rather than volume for a specific contract.
Renz wires are available in a wider range of sizes particularly in 2:1 pitch.
Our Presco range of binding wires are a very high quality product packed in bulk ‘trade’ boxes of up to 250 wires per pack, instead of the usual 100 pack sizes from other manufacturers. Despite the significant savings this offers there are no sacrifices in wire
quality, durability or ease of use – our wires are simply packed closer together in bulk mats instead of the individual cardboard sheets of Renz wires.
Presco wires are stocked in black, white and silver and offer exceptional value for money. They are popular with many of our customers carrying out larger quantities of wire binding and over many years.
