Staples and Stitching

Staples and stitching wire are commonly used in print finishing to bind together multiple sheets of paper or other materials, creating booklets, pamphlets, and other multi-page documents. Here’s how staples and stitching wire are used in print finishing:

Staples:

1. Saddle Stitching:
   • Saddle stitching is a common binding method that uses staples. In this process, folded sheets are nested together and stapled along the spine. Saddle stitching is often used for booklets, magazines, and catalogues.
2. Saddle Stitching Machines:
   • Saddle stitching machines are employed in print finishing to automate the stapling process. These machines fold and staple the sheets simultaneously, increasing efficiency in high-volume production.
3. Booklets and Brochures:
   • Staples are commonly used to bind booklets and brochures, providing a simple and cost-effective binding method for smaller publications.
4. Portable Staplers:
   • For smaller-scale projects or manual binding, portable staplers can be used. These handheld devices are suitable for binding a limited number of sheets.
5. Flat Stapling:
   • Staples can be used for flat stapling, where sheets are stapled together along one edge without folding. This method is common for packets, reports, or presentations.
6. Heavy-Duty Staplers:
   • In industrial or commercial settings, heavy-duty staplers may be used to staple larger stacks of paper with greater efficiency.

Staple Length

The length of a staple refers to its legs, the parts of the staple that push through the layers of paper and fold underneath the pages. If you need to staple a thick pile of paper at once, you’ll need a staple with long legs. Ensure you purchase the correct leg length as standard staplers are only designed to hold 1/4 inch legs.

When you see the size of a staple in millimeters or inches, it’s referring to the length of the staple’s legs.

Staple Width

The width of a staple, sometimes called its crown, is the top or crossbar of a staple. It’s the part of the staple you will see flat across the top of whatever you bind.

Staple Point

The staple point, also known as the teeth, refers to the end of each leg that pierces the paper. Most staples have a chisel point to help the staple push smoothly through materials.

Staple Sizes Chart

Most staplers will say on the bottom what size staple they take, so before you make a purchase, check the bottom of your stapler first. Often, the size will appear in the metric, two-number form, for example, 23/6. The first number refers to the gauge of the staple, and the second number refers to the length of the staple’s legs. Generally, for office use, it’s the leg length that will vary, depending on how many pages you need to staple at once.

 

Stitching Wire:

1. Wire Stitching Machines:
   • Wire stitching machines are designed for high-speed, automated binding using stitching wire. These machines can handle large volumes of material and are often used in commercial printing environments.
2. Saddle Wire Stitching:
   • Similar to saddle stitching, saddle wire stitching involves using stitching wire to bind folded sheets along the spine. This method is commonly employed for magazines, booklets, and catalogues.
3. Stitching Wire Types:
   • Stitching wire comes in various thicknesses and materials. Common types include round wire and flat wire. The choice of stitching wire depends on the thickness of the document being bound.
4. Loop Stitching:
   • Loop stitching involves creating a loop with the stitching wire, allowing the bound document to be hung or inserted into a ring binder. This is useful for presentations and promotional materials.
5. Saddle Wire Stitching with Trimming:
   • Some stitching machines include trimming units that trim excess wire and paper, providing a clean and finished look to the bound document.
6. Wire Binding:
   • Wire binding involves using a wire binding machine to punch holes along the edge of the sheets and then threading a wire through these holes. The wire is then closed to secure the pages, creating a more robust binding suitable for presentations and manuals.

Wire Gauge

The wire gauge of a staple refers to the thickness of the staple itself. The thicker the wire is, the more stable and durable the staple. If you’re stapling pieces of cardboard together to form a box, you’ll want a thicker wire gauge than if you’re stapling together a couple of pieces of paper. There are a few different kinds of wire gauges.

Fine Wire: The thinnest staple, ranging from 20 – 23 gauge thickness. This is the type of staple you’ll find around an office.

Medium Wire:  Usually between 18 – 19 gauge thickness. It’s stronger than a fine wire staple, but not quite strong enough to be used in construction.

Heavy Wire:  The thickest kind of staple, usually between 15 – 16 gauge thickness. This kind of staple is best utilized in heavy-duty projects like construction or roofing.

Both staples and stitching wire are versatile options for print finishing, providing different levels of durability and aesthetic appeal. The choice between them depends on the type of document, the desired presentation, and the volume of production.