Binding Type Selector
Tell it the page count and what the document is for, and it recommends a binding from the twelve Printster actually offers — with the real price, the page limits, and an honest second choice.
All twelve, with what each is actually for
| Binding | Per copy | Lies flat | Page range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corner staple | Rs 2 | No | any | Holding a stack together, nothing more |
| Staple | Rs 15 | No | any | Short reports, handouts |
| Centre staple | Rs 25 | Yes | up to ~64 | Booklets, programmes, thin brochures |
| Centre staple with lamination | Rs 35 | Yes | up to ~64 | Booklets that will be carried for a year |
| Spiral | Rs 40 | Yes | any to ~400 sheets | Notes, manuals, anything written beside |
| Comb | Rs 45 | Yes | any | Documents you will open and refill |
| Wiro | Rs 45 | Yes | any | Presentation copies that must turn cleanly |
| Glue / tape | Rs 60 | No | 20+ | Bill books and pads that tear sheet by sheet |
| Soft cover (perfect) | Rs 110 | No | 32+ | Paperbacks, dissertations, anything shelved |
| Hard binding | Rs 250 | No | 32+ | Submitted theses, library and archive copies |
| Hard binding, golden front | Rs 275 | No | 32+ | Where the cover must carry the title |
| Hard binding, golden front and spine | Rs 350 | No | 60+ | Library copies found spine-first |
Prices are per copy, before 5% GST. Soft cover falls to Rs 65 at 51 copies and Rs 40 at 101; centre staple falls to Rs 20 at 51; gold front-and-spine falls to Rs 300 at 51. The rest are flat at any quantity.
Binding cost calculator → · Spine width calculator → · Binding guide →
Frequently asked questions
- Which binding should I use for a thesis?
- Hard binding at Rs 250 for the copy that is submitted or archived, or Rs 275 with golden print on the front where the cover must carry the title. Soft cover at Rs 110 is right for supervisor and personal copies. Check your department handbook, because the requirement varies.
- Which binding lies flat?
- Spiral at Rs 40 opens a full 360 degrees and stays where you put it. Wiro at Rs 45 and comb at Rs 45 also open flat. Soft cover and hard binding do not - they are made to shelve, not to work beside.
- What is the cheapest binding?
- A corner staple at Rs 2, then staple binding at Rs 15 and centre staple at Rs 25. Of the bindings that lie flat, spiral at Rs 40 is cheapest.
- Which binding looks most like a published book?
- Soft cover perfect binding at Rs 110 - a printed spine and a squared edge, which is what a paperback is. Hard binding at Rs 250 gives a rigid board cover for something meant to last.
- What is the minimum page count for each binding?
- Soft cover and hard binding need about 32 pages to form a spine. Centre staple works up to about 64 pages and not much beyond. Spiral, wiro, comb and the staples work at any thickness.
- Does binding delay my order?
- Hard cover, soft cover and glue-tape binding add one to two working days because glue and cases have to set. Spiral, wiro, comb and staples do not.