Start with how the report will be used
The right binding depends less on appearance and more on what happens to the document afterwards. A report that people will annotate at a desk, a proposal that will be posted to a client, and a manual that has to survive years on a shelf all want different things from their binding.
Spiral or wire binding
Spiral or wire binding lets the document open fully and lie flat, and the pages turn all the way round. That makes it a practical choice for reports, manuals and working documents that are read and written on. It's durable and straightforward, though it doesn't have a printed spine.
Plastic comb binding
Comb binding also lies relatively flat and is a good everyday choice for presentations and reports. It has the added benefit that a comb can be opened so pages can be added or removed later, which suits documents that get updated.
Perfect binding
Perfect binding glues the pages into a cover with a flat spine, like a paperback. It looks finished and professional and gives you a spine you can print a title on, which suits annual reports and documents that will be filed on a shelf. It generally needs a reasonable number of pages to give a usable spine, and it doesn't lie flat as easily as spiral or comb.
Hardback and thread-sewn
For documents that need to last, such as formal records or presentation copies, glued hardback or thread-sewn binding gives a more permanent and premium result. They take longer to produce, so they suit planned jobs better than last-minute ones.
Covers and finishing
Whichever style you choose, a front and back cover protects the pages and makes a better first impression. Tell us how many copies you need, the page count and how the document will be used, and we can recommend the most practical option.
Getting your report bound
Star Printers offers a range of binding at our Tooting shop. See our spiral binding, comb binding, perfect binding, hardback binding and thread-sewn pages, browse all printing services, or contact us with your page count and quantity.