Choosing the document binding system that best suits the needs of your office can be a daunting task. There are numerous binding styles out there, each with their own charms and challenges. In order to try and make your choice a little easier, we've created the following primer, wherein we discuss the ins and outs of the four most commonly-used binding systems.

1. Spiral Binding: This style incorporates a singe coiled piece of plastic that winds through holes that are punched along the binding edge of your document. The ends of the spiral coil are bent with specialized pliers to keep the binding spine from spinning off the document. Spiral-bound documents open flat and offer a 360 degree turning radius for note taking and reading. One of the best things about spiral binding is that the spines are available in over sixty different colors. This makes it easy to match the color of your spiral binding spine with your covers or company logo.

2. Wire-O Binding: This style gives documents a more elegant look and feel by using a metal wire for the spine of the presentation. Many journals you see for sale in bookstores use this method of binding. This binding style is also known as twin loop wire or double loop wire binding. The wires arrives in box of 100 and are "C" shaped. A special tool that is part of your machine is used to close the loop. Since a different hole pattern is used for different paper sizes, if one foresees the need to create twin loop documents in several different sizes, one would need to purchase either two binding machines, or a single machine that could punch holes for both patterns. Twin loop wire binding is a little bit more expensive than the two previously discussed methods, but as we've mentioned it gives documents and presentations an unquestionably more upscale look.

3. Thermal Book Binding is a quite different method than the three binding styles we've discussed above. In this binding style there are no holes punched in the document. Rather, pages are heat-glued to the spine, and hard covers are usually used, giving your documents that "perfect-bound" look, like the books on your bookshelf. The finished product is the undoubtedly the most elegant and permanent of all the methods discussed here, and the supplies are more expensive than the rest as well. There are many advantages to thermal binding, one of which is that custom cover sets can be used, which are great for creating brand awareness.

4. GBC Binding: This is the most common of the binding styles, you have seen it used on cookbooks and other similar documents. Also known as comb binding, ibico binding or 19 ring binding, supplies for this style are less expensive than almost any other style. This practical style allows documents to opens flat for easy copying. Page additions or subtractions are easily made by using your binding machine. Comb binding is inexpensive and rugged. However, document bound with plastic combs are sometimes viewed as common or cheap. Organizations looking for a premium look and feel may want to consider a newer more contemporary binding style to add some elegance to their documents.