Comb binding
Method of binding pages into a book
title: "Comb binding" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bookbinding"] description: "Method of binding pages into a book" topic_path: "general/bookbinding" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comb_binding" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Method of binding pages into a book ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Comb_bind_examples.JPG" caption="Two spine sizes (the larger has the capacity to bind several hundred sheets)"] ::
::data[format=table title="Spine capacity"]
| Inches | Millimeters | Sheets of paper |
|---|---|---|
| " | 4 mm | 16 |
| " | 6 mm | 25 |
| " | 8 mm | 40 |
| " | 10 mm | 55 |
| " | 11 mm | 70 |
| " | 12 mm | 85 |
| " | 14 mm | 100 |
| " | 16 mm | 125 |
| " | 20 mm | 150 |
| " | 22 mm | 175 |
| 1" | 25 mm | 200 |
| " | 28 mm | 250 |
| " | 32 mm | 275 |
| " | 38 mm | 325 |
| " | 45 mm | 375 |
| 2" | 51 mm | 425 |
| :: |
Comb binding (sometimes referred to as "cerlox" or "surelox" binding) is one of many ways to bind pages together into a book. This method uses round plastic spines with 19 rings (for US Letter size) or 21 rings (for A4 size) and a hole puncher that makes rectangular holes. Comb binding is sometimes referred to as plastic comb binding or spiral comb binding.
Binding process
To bind a document, the user first punches holes in the paper with a specialized hole punch. Pages must be punched a few at a time with most of these machines. If hard covers are desired, they must be punched as well. In bulk applications, a paper drilling machine may be used.
Then the user chooses a spine size that will match the document. Standard sizes are 3/16 in (for 16 sheets of 20# paper) up to 2 in (for 425 sheets). Spine lengths are generally 11 in to match the length of letter-size paper.
The rings on the spine open and insert into the holes in the page, then rest against the body of the spine, resulting in a closure that can be opened again for making changes to the book.
image:Comb bind step1.JPG|Machine opening the spine image:Comb bind step2.JPG|Pre-punched paper with spine rings through holes image:Comb bind step3.JPG|Rings closed on paper image:Comb bind step4.JPG|Completed book out of machine
Comparison with other punch binds
With this bind, the book lies flat but cannot be opened 360 degrees. For a book that can be opened such that the covers touch, a spine that does not have an obstructive body, such as a coil binding, is a better option.
References
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::