Western Trade Printing offers wholesale mechanical book printing and binding services to print resellers, including print brokers, commercial printing companies, quick copy printers, publishers, and ad agencies. Our mechanical binding includes plastic coil binding and Wire-O (double loop) binding.
What is Plastic Coil Binding?
Plastic coil binding, sometimes called spiral binding, threads a single continuous PVC spiral through a row of round holes punched along the edge of your document. The standard U.S. hole pattern is 4-to-1 pitch, which puts four holes per inch and gives an 11-inch binding edge 44 holes. Coils ship in 12-inch lengths for letter-size books and run from 6mm (1/4 inch) for about 35 sheets up to 50mm (2 inch) for roughly 440 sheets of 20 lb. bond. A binder spins the coil through the holes. The coil is then cut and crimped on both ends so the spine locks in place. Coils come in dozens of stock colors and print shops can PMS-match them to a brand palette.
Why Choose Plastic Coil Binding
Coil wins on durability. The plastic flexes under pressure and springs back, so a coil-bound manual survives a toolbox, a truck cab, or a year of daily handling without deforming. Coil is the most durable option for documents that see daily handling. This makes it the right call for training guides, cookbooks, and any book that folds back on itself. Pages rotate a full 360 degrees and lie completely flat, so a user can fold the book back to a more manageable single page.
Coil also handles the widest thickness range of the three and costs less than wire. Color selection gives you branding leverage that can’t be matched with wire. On the production side, coil inserting equipment processes hundreds of books per hour, so it scales well for larger runs.
Where Plastic Coil Books Fall Short
Coil binding locks your page count. The spiral runs continuously through every hole, so adding or removing a single page means cutting the coil off and rebinding the entire book. Skip coil for any document that gets periodic revisions.
The spiral also creates a small registration offset. Because the coil advances as it winds, the first page and the last page sit slightly out of alignment at the top and bottom edges. Most readers never notice, but art directors reviewing a premium presentation will. You also lose the spine as printable real estate, so a coil-bound book gives you nothing to read on a shelf. Loose coil ends can snag on other materials in a box or a bag if the crimp job runs sloppy.
What is Wire-O Binding (Double Loop Binding)
Wire-O binding, also called double-loop binding, presses a C-shaped metal spine of pre-formed double loops through square or round punched holes, then squeezes the spine closed into a circle. The format comes in two pitches, 3-to-1 with 32 loops across an 11-inch edge and 2-to-1 with 21 loops. The 3-to-1 pitch covers sizes from 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch and handles books from 2 to about 120 sheets, while 2-to-1 pitch runs from 5/8 inch up to 1 1/4 inch for books in the 135 to 280 sheet range. The wire can be purchased in black, white, silver, gold, and a range of other colors.
Why Choose Wire-O Binding
Wire-O delivers a more finished look. It produces a polished appearance and perfect page registration, which makes it the standard for business proposals, client-facing reports, calendars, and planners. Registration matters on calendars and wall-hung pieces, where every page has to line up exactly with the one facing it.
Wire-O is also the most secure option. Once the machine crimps the spine shut, the only way to open the book is to cut the wire off. Legal and financial documents benefit from that tamper-resistant spine. Pages still turn a full 360 degrees and lie flat, so you keep the functional advantage of coil and get a premium finish.
Where Wire-O Binding Falls Short
Cost is the first hurdle. Wire-O binding is one of the more expensive mechanical binding methods. Neither wire nor coil allows spine printing, so a shelf-stored reference book loses its identity either way.
Metal also dents. Drop a Wire-O bound book on a corner or ship it in a loose carton and the loops flatten permanently, unlike plastic coil that rebounds. Plastic coil holds up better under heavy daily use because it resists bending more than wire. Wire-O tops out at a lower page count than either coil or comb. And once the wire closes, the book is finished. Wire binding is essentially permanent, so plan on rebinding from scratch for any revision. Keep Wire-O for client-facing work, calendars, and short-run premium pieces that stay on a desk rather than in a truck.
Mechanical Binding Methods Comparison Table
Mechanical Binding Methods Comparison
| Feature | Plastic Coil | Wire-O (Double Loop) |
|---|
| Spine material | Plastic CoilContinuous PVC spiral | Wire-OCoated metal double loops |
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| Hole shape | Plastic CoilRound | Wire-OSquare or round |
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| Standard pitch | Plastic Coil4-to-1 (43 to 44 holes per 11") | Wire-O3-to-1 (32 loops) or 2-to-1 (21 loops) per 11" |
|---|
| Size range | Plastic Coil6mm (1/4") to 50mm (2") | Wire-O1/4" to 1 1/4" |
|---|
| Sheet capacity (20 lb. bond) | Plastic Coil35 to 440 | Wire-O2 to 280 |
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| Lies flat | Plastic CoilYes | Wire-OYes |
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| Folds back 360° | Plastic CoilYes | Wire-OYes |
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| Page registration | Plastic CoilSlight spiral offset | Wire-OExact |
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| Editable after binding | Plastic CoilNo, requires new coil | Wire-ONo, requires cutting the wire and re-binding |
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| Printable spine | Plastic CoilNo | Wire-ONo |
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| Durability | Plastic CoilHighest, flexes and rebounds | Wire-OHigh, but dents permanently |
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| Security | Plastic CoilModerate | Wire-OHighest, tamper-resistant |
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| Relative cost | Plastic CoilModerate | Wire-OHighest |
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| Color options | Plastic CoilWidest, PMS matching available | Wire-O10-plus coated colors |
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| Best for | Plastic CoilManuals, cookbooks, field guides, training books | Wire-OProposals, calendars, planners, legal and financial reports |
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| Avoid for | Plastic CoilDocuments needing frequent edits or shelf titling | Wire-OHigh page counts, shipping-heavy jobs, tight budgets |
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Mechanical Binding Production Equipment and Workflow at WTP
WTP has a 40” 4/C Heidelberg perfector and 5/C Komori press each with in-line aqueous coating for medium to long book runs. We also have a Ricoh 7500 digital press with a Plockmatic 350 inline booklet maker to handle short runs. A mix of bindery equipment is used for cutting, collating, and assembly of mechanically bound books.
Sustainability in Book Printing and Mechanical Binding at WTP
When you print and bind with WTP, you and your clients can take advantage of our G7® and Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification. All WTP papers exceed US regulations and are recyclable. Our paper quality is much higher than the average “house” stock at other shops. Your clients can use the recyclable logo. If your books need premium or recycled sheets, we have those as well. We also use soy and vegetable-based inks where possible.
Our G7® methodology and digital workflow minimizes waste and setup times. This gives you, as a print reseller, better margins and higher quality.
Mailing and Fulfillment of Books at WTP
If your book needs to be mailed or has special fulfillment needs, WTP offers mailing and fulfillment services. Our WTP bulk mailing process is known for saving clients thousands of dollars on bulk mail postage costs. We do this by systematically using USPS Destination Entry discounts and list enhancements that even the most experienced mailers often miss.
Reviews of Western Trade Printing
Over the past 40 years as a Printing Broker I’ve worked with many, many printing companies and recommend WESTERN TRADE PRINTING as A1. They consistently provide me with the best pricing as well as GREAT quality and service. I can place work with WTP, confident the quality is there and the work is on time!
Ernest K.
I've been working with Western Trade Printing for the better part of 20 years. Every job I've sent to them has come back wonderfully executed. From touchy custom marketing suites, to lengthy annual reports, all my questions and concerns have been met with courtesy and friendly professionalism. The team at WTP is a delight to work with. If you haven't tried them out for yourself, please do.
~ Jesi E
You can read more WTP reviews here.
Get a Quote – Plastic Coil or Wire-O Printing and Binding
Get a quote here for a plastic coil or Wire-O printing and binding project. Or call 559-251-8595 ext. 1 to talk to estimating.
Areas Served by WTP for Mechanical Book Printing and Binding
Western Trade Printing’s production facility is based in Fresno, California, and serves print resellers throughout the United States. WTP’s local service area includes all the major metropolitan areas in California including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, as well as the surrounding regions.
See the shipping chart below for typical ground delivery times. Express, LTL, and truckload shipments are also available. Call us at 559-251-8595 to discuss specific needs.
