Hole-Punch Patterns And Styles For Wire, Coil And Comb Bindings

Binding elements are unique not only for their structure but also for the hole-punch patterns and styles that they use. With many elements, the hole-punch style can be oval, round, square or rectangular. The number of holes punched per inch is known as the hole-punch pattern, and the right pattern will ensure that a document opens easily with no tearing.

Examples of punch patterns include four holes-per-inch, which is labeled as a 4:1 pattern, or five holes-per-inch, a 5:1 pattern and so on. Generally, the thickness of a document determines the hole-punch pattern and style that will work best, and certain binding elements use particular patterns and styles.

It’s important to know the individual styles and patterns of each binding element and which documents are best-suited to each before you purchase a wire binding machine to begin the process.

Wire Binding – There are two basic patterns used for wire binding.

3:1 Pattern – The most commonly used pattern for wire binding

Punches three holes per inch

Creates 32-33 holes for an 11-inch document which is a very tight bind

Binds up to 120 sheets

Hole shape: round or square

2:1 Pattern

Punches two holes per inch

Has a wider look than 3:1 pattern

Can bind up to 1¼ -inch thick documents

Hole shape: round or rectangular

Coil Binding – This method also has two basic patterns, but they vary by location.

4:1 Pattern – This pattern is considered standard for coil binding in the U.S.

Punches four holes per inch

Creates 43-44 holes on an 11-inch document

Best for documents up to 1-inch thick

Hole shape: round

A coil punch machine can create larger holes to accommodate thicker wire when necessary, and these holes are oval-shaped.

5:1 Pattern –  More commonly used in Canada and Europe

Punches five holes per inch for a very tight bind

54-55 holes along an 11-inch spine

Cannot bind documents of more than 152 sheets or document will not open cleanly

Hole shape: round

Comb Binding – There is one standard pattern for comb binding. What differs is the size of the spine.

Standard pattern of 19 holes along an 11-inch document or 26 holes on legal-sized documents

Spine sizes based on document thickness; largest can bind up to 425 sheets (2-inches thick)

Hole shape: rectangular

If you can’t decide which binding style you like or need for your on-site binding, you’re in luck. Simply purchase a wire binding machine that can punch different patterns with the quick change of a die.

Remember, however, that coil and wire use two completely different hole-punch patterns. So be sure to check that your wire binding machine can create both types of patterns and styles before you buy it, or you’ll need a separate coil punch machine to create round holes in the proper pattern for coil binding.