
Plastic comb binding is a well-established binding style used for softcover books. The process involves binding a book with a plastic spine that has a series of ring-shaped tines or teeth. The tines are spread open and inserted through slots punched along the edge of the book's cover and pages. When released, the tension in the tines allows them to spring back to their original circular shape, binding the book securely. This method is advantageous as it allows for easy editing and customization of documents, accommodating various sheet sizes and thicknesses. The name comb binding comes from the resemblance of the tines to the teeth of a large hair comb when they are extended.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Binding style | Comb binding, Cerlox binding, Surelox binding |
| Binding material | Rigid PVC plastic |
| Binding shape | Cylindrical with multiple curved tines |
| Binding flexibility | Flexible |
| Binding thickness | 1/4" to 2" |
| Binding capacity | 10 to 425 sheets |
| Binding colour | Available in a variety of colours |
| Binding customisation | Custom printed with text or logo |
| Binding cost | Inexpensive |
| Binding ease | Easy |
| Binding editability | Easy to add or remove pages |
| Binding dividers | Tabbed dividers work well |
| Binding perforation | Perforated pages work well |
| Binding rotation | Can be laid flat but cannot be opened 360 degrees |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic comb binding is a well-established style used on a wide range of softcover book projects
- The binding uses a pre-formed spine that resembles a long cylinder with multiple curved tines
- The tines are spread open and inserted through slots punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages
- Plastic combs are readily available in a variety of colours and sizes, and can be custom-printed
- Advantages of a comb-bound book include the ability to add or remove pages, and the book can lie flat

Plastic comb binding is a well-established style used on a wide range of softcover book projects
To bind a book using this method, the tines are spread open and inserted through slots punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages. When released, the tension in the tines springs them back into their original circular shape, securely binding the book while allowing the pages to turn freely. This binding style is particularly useful for books that need occasional updates, such as employee handbooks, price guides, or procedure manuals.
One of the significant advantages of plastic comb binding is the ease of editing. Pages can be added or removed by simply opening the combs, changing the sheets, and closing them again. This feature is especially beneficial for documents that require frequent revisions or updates. Additionally, the wide range of sizes available makes it possible to bind documents of varying thicknesses, from a few sheets to a stack nearly 2" thick.
Plastic comb binding also offers customization options. The binding combs come in various colors and can be custom-printed with logos, business information, or any other desired text. This customization not only adds a unique touch to the document but also helps with organization and presentation. Overall, plastic comb binding is a versatile, durable, and cost-effective method for creating professional-looking softcover books and documents.
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The binding uses a pre-formed spine that resembles a long cylinder with multiple curved tines
Plastic comb binding is a well-established binding style used for a wide range of softcover book projects. The binding uses a pre-formed spine that resembles a long cylinder with multiple curved tines. This rigid plastic shape forms the book's spine and would resemble a hair comb if it were not formed into a cylinder, hence the name "comb binding".
The cylindrical shape is formed by multiple curved tines that extend at regular intervals along the entire length of the spine. Made of firm but flexible plastic, each curved tine contains a great deal of tension, which helps the tines maintain their circular shape. To bind a book, the curved tines are spread open and inserted through slots that have been punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages. When the tines are released, the strong tension allows them to spring back to their original circular shape, binding the book securely together.
The comb binding method produces a durable and professional-looking document. The book lies flat but cannot be opened 360 degrees. One of the major benefits of comb binding is the ability to easily edit the documents by simply opening the combs, changing the sheets, and closing them again. This feature is handy for books that need occasional updates, such as employee handbooks, price guides, or procedure manuals.
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The tines are spread open and inserted through slots punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages
Plastic comb binding is a well-established binding style used for a wide range of softcover book projects. The process involves binding a book with a plastic spine that has a series of ring-shaped tines or "teeth". The spine is cylindrical in shape, formed by multiple curved tines that extend at regular intervals along its entire length. The tines are made of firm but flexible plastic, and each tine contains a great deal of tension, helping them maintain their circular shape.
To bind a book, the tines are spread open and inserted through slots punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages. When released, the strong tension of the tines allows them to spring back to their original circular shape, binding the book securely. This method allows the cover and pages to turn freely. The tines can also be re-opened manually, allowing for the removal and addition of pages, making it convenient for books that require updates, such as employee handbooks or manuals.
The name "comb binding" comes from the resemblance of the tines to the tines or "teeth" of a large hair comb when they are extended. The binding is available in various sizes and colours, with custom printing options also available. It is an inexpensive and easy method of binding, producing a durable and professional-looking document. However, one limitation is that the book cannot be opened 360 degrees, with the cover touching, due to the obstructive spine.
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Plastic combs are readily available in a variety of colours and sizes, and can be custom-printed
Plastic comb binding is a well-established binding style used for a variety of softcover book projects. It is a popular choice for bookbinding due to its versatility, ease of use, and affordability.
Plastic combs are readily available in a variety of colours and sizes, making them a convenient option for binding books of different thicknesses. The standard letter size combs have 19 rings for an 11" binding edge, but custom cut sizes are also available to accommodate different page counts. The variety of colours allows for customization and branding opportunities, making plastic comb binding a versatile option for various projects.
The binding process involves inserting the plastic comb, a cylindrical shape formed by multiple curved tines, through slots punched along the spinal edge of the book's cover and pages. The tines are spread open and then released, allowing them to spring back to their original circular shape and securely bind the book. This method provides a professional and durable finish while still allowing the pages to turn freely.
One of the significant advantages of plastic comb binding is the ease of editing. The combs can be easily opened, allowing for the addition or removal of pages, making it ideal for documents that require occasional updates, such as employee handbooks or manuals. Additionally, custom printing options are available for plastic combs, enhancing the overall presentation and making it possible to add logos, text, or other unique designs.
Overall, plastic combs offer a simple, cost-effective, and customizable binding solution for books, manuals, and presentations, making them a popular choice for both personal and professional projects.
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Advantages of a comb-bound book include the ability to add or remove pages, and the book can lie flat
Plastic comb binding is a well-established binding style used for a wide range of softcover book projects. The process involves using a plastic spine with a series of ring-shaped tines or "teeth" to secure a book's cover and pages. The tines are spread open and inserted through slots punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages. When released, the tension in the tines allows them to spring back to their original circular shape, binding the book securely.
One of the primary advantages of comb-bound books is the ability to add or remove pages with ease. The tines can be manually spread open, allowing for the removal or addition of pages as needed. This feature is particularly useful for documents that require occasional updates, such as employee handbooks, price guides, or procedure manuals. The flexibility of comb binding ensures that the content of the book can be kept current and relevant without the need for rebinding or replacing the entire book.
Another benefit of comb binding is the ability to customize the size of the book. Comb binding is suitable for a wide range of page counts, typically accommodating stacks from about 10 sheets up to 425 sheets or nearly 2" thick. Binding combs are available in various sizes, with round shapes for smaller stacks and oval shapes with locking prongs for thicker books. This versatility allows users to create books of different thicknesses to suit their specific needs.
Additionally, comb-bound books have the advantage of lying flat when opened. This feature enhances the readability and functionality of the book, especially when compared to other binding methods where the book may not lie flat or open fully. A flat-lying book is particularly useful for reference materials, cookbooks, or textbooks, where the ability to keep the book open at a specific page is important.
Furthermore, comb binding offers customization and branding opportunities. Plastic binding combs can be customized with printed spines, featuring a company logo, business information, or any desired text or graphics. This not only helps with organization and identification but also provides a unique branding opportunity, allowing businesses to stand out and create a lasting impression on clients or customers.
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Frequently asked questions
A plastic comb book is a book bound with a plastic spine that looks like a long cylinder.
The spine of a plastic comb book is made of firm but flexible plastic and has multiple curved tines or "teeth" that extend at regular intervals along its entire length.
To bind a plastic comb book, the curved tines of the spine are spread open and inserted through slots punched along one edge of the book's cover and pages. When released, the tension in the tines allows them to spring back to their original circular shape, binding the book securely.
Plastic comb binding offers several advantages. It is easy and inexpensive, allowing for simple editing and customization of documents. Pages can be easily added, removed, or replaced by opening and closing the combs. Plastic combs come in various sizes and colours, accommodating different book thicknesses and providing a professional appearance. Additionally, the book can lie flat when opened, making it convenient for reading and reference.










































