Comb, Coil or Thermal: Three Ways to Bind a Document

The binding method decides how the finished document opens, how easily it can be changed, and how it looks.

Comb

A plastic spine with fingers that open. The great advantage is that a comb can be reopened, so pages can be added or removed later. Combs come in a wide range of diameters, which makes them flexible for varying page counts.

Coil

A continuous spiral. It lets the document fold completely back on itself, which is what you want for anything used flat on a desk. Once crimped it is not intended to be reopened.

Thermal

A pre-glued cover heated to bond the block. The result looks the most like a published book and is the least editable — the pages are fixed.

Choosing

If the document will be revised, comb. If it will be used open and flat, coil. If it is a final presentation piece, thermal.