Millions of books are bound every day using plastic comb binding (sometimes referred to as GBC or Ibico Combbind). Certainly, you have seen documents bound using this 19 ring style. Most of these documents are bound using black plastic combs in small sizes. However, there are actually a number of different options for setting your reports, presentations, proposals and documents apart using this type of finish.

Although ninety percent of the documents bound with plastic combs are bound with black plastic combs there are actually a number of different colors available for comb binding. Standard colors for plastic comb binding include: black, white, clear, red, yellow, green, dark green, navy, royal blue, grey, maroon and brown . In addition to these 12 colors, there are a few other colors of combs available on the market. GBC recently released a line of black matte plastic and in past couple of years has made translucent gel colored combs in four colors including: steel blue, amber, plum and sage green. Custom colors are sometimes possible. However, these usually require extremely large quantities since an extrusion of custom colored PVC material is required.

The vast majority of documents bound with plastic combs are bound with combs that are smaller than 1/2". However, plastic binding elements are available in sizes as small as 3/16" and as large as 2". Spines from 3/16" to 1-1/8" are round while combs that are 1-1/4" to 2" are oval shaped with special locks to prevent the weight of the document from opening the spine causing the pages to fall out. The best way to determine the correct size of binding comb for your document is to measure the pages and add 1/16" to ensure that the pages turn freely.

Although plastic binding combs are normally sold in 19 ring lengths for binding letter sized documents, they can also be purchased in shorter or longer lengths. Plastic combs are readily available in 15 ring lengths for binding half sized books and in 24 ring lengths for binding legal sized books. However, plastic combs can be special ordered in almost any color and almost any length.

Finally, plastic comb binding supplies can be ordered with custom imprinting on the spine. The title of your document or your book can be printed directly onto the plastic comb using either foil stamping or silk screening. This allows for a fully customized appearance to your bound documents that can set them apart and can make a lasting impression.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He has written over 100 articles on binding machines, binding supplies,laminators,laminating supplies, binding covers,paper handling equipments,binders,index tabs, and shredders.

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