The case study below describes a particularly challenging Seattle Bindery project. We hope you find it interesting and instructive. If you have questions about the equipment, techniques, or other details of the project, feel free to call us at 425-656-8210.

While Seattle Bindery has done several projects for this Seattle-based company, this particular project was a great example of how years of experience can pay off for clients. The company produces and sends out thousands of Wire-O(TM) books to store managers for operational record keeping. The books are 1-inch thick, with a 14-inch spine and lots of tabs, making the standard 1.25-inch wire extremely difficult to close on automated equipment. In fact, it was impossible to guarantee that back covers would not come off during the process; not a good sign for books that will be used everyday. Because Seattle Bindery does both Wire-O™ and plastic spiral binding, we are always comparing the two processes, particularly on challenging jobs. In a recent peer group meeting, Seattle Bindery’s President, Milt Vine, discovered the availability of an oval die designed for thicker books with plastic spiral binding. He located and obtained the die and the Seattle Bindery team put together a mock-up for the customer, demonstrating how the new shape and spacing of the holes could solve the client's concerns.

The typical pitch (the number of holes per inch) for spiral binding of thicker books is 4:1. By reducing the number of holes to 2.5 holes per inch and then punching oval instead of round holes, the Seattle Bindery team was able to spin the plastic spiral coil elements by machine. In addition to allowing the coil elements to be inserted by machine, the oval holes also allow the pages to turn much easier, which makes the spiral option much more attractive to the end user. Another advantage of plastic spiral binding over Wire-O™ is the wide range of colors the coil elements come in; one vendor produces a swatch book with 45 colors, including neon. 

Seattle Bindery produced a few sample books with various coil diameters, and then showed the client, who chose to make the change to plastic spiral on the next run. The end result? A better quality product without a significant increase in cost.

Thick books with plastic spiral binding have been an unsatisfied demand. Call us with details on your project and we'll spin a creative solution for you, too.

Seattle  Bindery
6540 South Glacier Street, Suite 120
Seattle, WA 98188

Phone: 425-656-8210
Fax: 425-656-4400
miltvine@seattlebindery.com
www.seattlebindery.com

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