Wire Bound Book Printing

When wire is the right choice

• The book goes in front of a client, a board, or a committee
• It needs to lay flat while someone presents from it
• You want a cleaner, more formal look than plastic coil
• The design calls for a metal finish rather than a colored plastic one

Wire is not the right choice if the book needs a printed spine, or if it will be packed tightly in a bag where the loops could be crushed.

What people print wire bound

Reports and annual reviews

Lays flat on a table so everyone can follow the same page.

Proposals and pitch documents

The binding is part of the impression. Wire looks deliberate.

Presentations and leave-behinds

Opens flat during the meeting, holds up afterward.

Calendars

Wire is the standard for wall and desk calendars because the pages hang and turn cleanly.

Training and reference materials

Where the formal look matters as much as the function.

How wire compares to the other three

Scroll the table sideways to compare all four methods.

More detail on all four methods is on our booklet binding page. 

Specifications

• Binding: metal double loop wire, threaded through punched holes
• Opening: lays flat, pages rotate 360 degrees
• Wire colors: several available
• Wire sizes: matched to the thickness of the book
• Covers: printed card stock, with thin clear plastic front and black back cover options
• Sizes: standard and custom
• Printing: full color, one side or both

Printed and bound in San Diego

Printing and bindery happen in the same Sorrento Valley building, so there is no handoff to an outside finisher and no freight time sitting in the middle of your schedule.

Free local delivery across San Diego County, and national shipping quoted alongside the job.

Frequently asked questions

What is wire binding?

Wire binding, also called Wire-O or double loop wire, uses a row of metal loops threaded through punched holes along the binding edge. The loops hold the pages together while letting them rotate a full 360 degrees.

What is the difference between wire binding and coil binding?

Wire-O uses a metal double loop; coil uses a continuous plastic spiral. Both lay flat and rotate 360 degrees, so the difference is appearance and feel rather than function. Wire reads as more formal on a desk. Coil comes in a wider range of colors and sizes.

Does a wire bound book lay flat?

Yes. Pages open flat and rotate all the way around, so the book can be folded back on itself.

What colors does the wire come in?

Wire-O is available in several colors. Tell us what the cover looks like and we will suggest what works with it.

Can I print on the spine of a wire bound book?

No. Wire binding has no flat spine to print on. If the book needs a readable spine on a shelf, perfect binding is the format for that.

Is wire binding durable?

Metal loops hold their shape well through repeated handling. As with any wire binding, a heavy crush can deform the loops, so books that get packed tightly into bags may do better with a different format.

What do people usually print wire bound?

Reports, proposals, presentations, annual reviews, calendars and training materials. Anything that needs to lay flat and look considered rather than casual.

Related pages

• Booklet Binding: all four methods compared in detail. 
• Coil Bound Books: plastic spiral, wider color range, same flat opening. 
• Perfect Bound Books: glued flat spine you can print on. 
• Booklet Printing: the full range of booklet formats and finishes. 

Ready to price a wire bound job?

Send us the page count, the finished size and the quantity.