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Q&A Cheapest way to self-bind a large book

When I self-published a book some years ago I had the copy shop apply comb bindings for me. At the time this cost about $1/book, but it appears that Stapes and Office Depot now charge closer to $3...

posted 10y ago by Monica Cellio‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T03:43:23Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/12765
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T03:43:23Z (almost 5 years ago)
When I self-published a book some years ago I had the copy shop apply _comb bindings_ for me. At the time this cost about $1/book, but it appears that Stapes and Office Depot now charge closer to $3 for this.

If your print run is small, or if you are truly willing to trade time for expense, you can buy a binding machine and the plastic combs and do it yourself. [This binding machine](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B009FFXN4Q) is about $120 at Amazon and binds up to 300 sheets; a [10-pack of combs](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B001BE3146) costs $6. You might be able to improve on these prices, particularly by looking for a second-hand binding machine.

Books with comb bindings, like spiral-bound books, can be opened flat and even folded over (though not quite as cleanly as spiral-bound books). Occasionally some of the plastic "teeth" will try to pop out of the casing, but in my experience this is only after heavy use. A plastic binding may not look as professional as a glued-in binding or even a metal spiral binding, but it's more affordable.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2014-09-03T01:45:24Z (about 10 years ago)
Original score: 6