What Coverbind binding spine size do I need?
Depending on the thickness of materials you are binding, you will want to use a different Coverbind binding spine size. It is important that you use the Coverbind size selector on your machine to help determine the best fit for your document thickness for a couple of reasons: 1) sheet capacity is always going to vary depending on the paper stock or paper thickness that is being bound (a book made with basic 20 lb. copy paper will have more sheets than one with a 50 lb., but may be the same thickness), and 2) if a spine is too small for your book, the bind will not be as strong as it should, as the glue will not have room to fully saturate the sheets.
With that being said, here is a general Coverbind capacity chart to help you determine the best size for your document:
| Coverbind Spine Size | Approximate Sheet Capacity |
|---|---|
| 1/16" | 2 - 15 Sheets |
| 1/8" | 15 - 30 Sheets |
| 1/4" | 30 - 60 Sheets |
| 3/8" | 60 - 90 Sheets |
| 1/2" | 90 - 120 Sheets |
| 5/8" | 120 - 150 Sheets |
| 3/4" | 150 - 180 Sheets |
| 1" | 180 - 240 Sheets |
| 1 ¼" | 240 - 300 Sheets |
| 1 ½" | 300 - 360 Sheets |
| 1 ¾" | 360 - 430 Sheets |
| 2" | 430 - 500 Sheets |
This is a general capacity chart that is accurate for all different kinds of Coverbind thermal binding covers, so whether you are using any of the many soft covers or hard covers available, you can use these general rules of thumb to get the perfect spine size for your book thickness. Remember not to over-stuff your covers; this prevents the glue from fully saturating the sheets and will compromise the bind integrity.
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In her free time, Mallory's favorite things to do include volunteering at the animal shelter bottle feeding neonatal kittens, reading at the park, and binge streaming TV shows with her 3 furbabies and family beside her.
Hi! My name is Mallory and I have been in the industry since 2008. If you do the math, that is over 15 years. I have spent my time at Binding101 in many roles, including customer service, sales, e-commerce management, video production, and more! Because of this vast experience, I bring a truly expert touch to the content in our blog. widdling down complex topics to extract what our customers really want to know. As the Content and UX Manager, I act as a writer and editor for the majority of copy you will find here. When not at my computer, I love spending time binging stand-up comedy, baking, and cuddling up with my family and rescued cats and dogs...
