Looking for a unique way to bind your document, manual, booklet, catalog, magazine, or book? Consider wire-o binding. At Publishing Xpress, we offer printing with wire-o binding from 8 to 300 pages.

With wire-o binding, holes are placed in the left margin, and the document is bound with round black wire. wire-o binding is also referred to as twin loop wire, double loop wire, double-o, ring wire, and wirebind. This is a great choice for workbooks and other documents that you want to lay flat. You can also turn the pages 360 degrees so only one page is sitting open at a time. For more information on this binding style, check out this Wikipedia article on wire-o binding.

The Wire-o Binding Process

Your book is printed on our digital presses on large sheets with 2 to 4 books printed at a time, depending on the final size of your book. If you don’t choose lamination for your book covers, the covers and inside pages will be printed together in complete sets. If you select lamination, the covers will be printed separate so that they can be laminated, and the inside pages will be printed in sets.

The insides and covers are then cut to the finished size of the book. If the covers were laminated, they will need to be collated with the book insides.

The books are then punched with square holes on the left hand side of the page. The wire-o size will depend on how thick the book is. The insides and covers are placed on an open wire-o and then crimped closed. The back cover is then turned so that the portion where the wire-o is crimped is between the inside back cover and the inside back page.

Tips for Wire-o Books

Wire-o binding is good for books that need to lay flat while you are using the book (like a cookbook) or because you will be writing in the book (like a journal or workbook). Also, books that will be used a lot, such as a catalog or directory, can be good choices for wire-o binding. Often, spiral binding and wire-o binding can be interchanged. Wire-o tends to have a more sophisticated look than spiral binding. However, the wire makes it more appropriate for adult use. For books that will be used by children, spiral binding might be a more appropriate choice.

If you do decide to use wire-o binding, consider these tips:

Make sure to leave an extra large margin on the bound side of the book. Margins of 1/2 inch are good for the other three sides of the book, with 3/4 inch margin on the bound side. You need the extra space because the punching will take up about 1/4 of an inch. If type or critical graphics are too close to the punching area, type can get punched.
Select an extra thick cover, since the book is likely to be used a lot. Our thickest cover stocks are 120# and 16 pt. Adding lamination will give additional thickness to the paper as well as offer protection. Another option is to add a clear plastic cover to the front and a colored plastic cover to the back. Many of our clients select a colored cover for the back with a laminated cover, which is a really nice look for wire-o books.
When users will be writing in the book, consider an uncoated paper stock, which does not smear when markers are used. We offer 60# and 70# uncoated paper. You can also select a matte paper stock, which is easier to write in than a gloss stock, but can smear with markers. Not quite sure what paper choices to use in your book?
Request our free sample kit. The plastic coil sample in that package includes samples of all our paper choices as well as examples of our gloss and soft-touch lamination. The back of each type of paper is blank so you can use different types of pens and markers on it to see if it smears.
If you will be using the book for marketing purposes, don’t leave any of the cover pages blank. You have four pages of cover, which are prime areas for customers to see. Put contact information, advertisements for other products, information about upcoming seminars, information on your website, etc. Use the space to promote your business — don’t leave it blank!
Want to use blank lined paper in your book, but don’t have a template? Just email us the size of your book and what you are looking for (college ruled, wide ruled, dot grid, or graph paper) and we will email a template for use in your book.

Inspiration for Wire-o Projects

Check out our client spotlights that feature wire-o binding:

Learn how wire-o binding makes your book look professional!

Publishing Xpress offers a wide range of printing options for your wire-o book. You can select 5½ x 8½, 6 x 9, 8½ x 11, or 9 x 12 finished sizes. Need a slightly different size? No problem. Just select the next larger size. For instance, if your book is 7 x 10, select the 8½ x 11 size. Wire-o books in all sizes can be printed in portrait or landscape orientation. We are also able to print wire-o bound books at sizes up to 11 x 17. For pricing larger than 8½ x 11, please contact us at help@publishingXpress.com.

We offer full-color printing. Your documents can be printed full color throughout, or you can use just black ink on the inside pages. We have a variety of paper options available as well. You can print the cover on the same paper as the rest of the booklet (called self-cover) or the cover can be printed on different paper (called plus cover). We can also laminate the covers with gloss, soft touch, leather, or linen lamination. And we offer a minimum print quantity of only 25 copies.

With our low minimums and low prices, there’s no reason for not printing wire-o projects right now!

Publishing Xpress can discuss how to give your self-published book a wire-o bound finish. Or take a look at our other binding options—you may find one of those a great way to bind your book.