Spiral bound books use a durable plastic coil that threads through punched holes along one edge. The binding lets pages lie completely flat or fold back around themselves. This makes them perfect for manuals, workbooks, planners, cookbooks, or any reference material you need to keep open while you use it. The coil stays intact through repeated use and won’t break like wire binding can.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about ordering spiral bound books in Canada. You’ll learn when to choose this binding style over other options, what printing specifications to select, and what typical pricing looks like. We’ll also cover the ordering process and common uses for different types of spiral bound books. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get professional spiral bound books made for your business, team, or project.
Why spiral bound books are worth considering
Spiral bound books solve practical problems that other binding methods can’t handle. The plastic coil binding lets you fold pages back completely, which means your cookbook stays open to the recipe you’re following, your manual stays flat on your workbench, and your presentation materials sit neatly in front of clients. You won’t fight with pages that spring closed or damage the spine by forcing the book flat.
The durability factor sets spiral binding apart from wire-o or saddle-stitched alternatives. Your staff can flip through training manuals hundreds of times without breaking the coil. Students can carry workbooks in backpacks all term without pages falling out. The binding holds up to constant use in workshops, kitchens, or field environments where other binding styles fail.
Spiral bound books work best when you need documents that stay open and withstand repeated handling.
You also get flexibility in page count that perfect binding can’t match. Add pages or mix different paper weights without worrying about the spine cracking. This makes spiral binding ideal for custom projects where you need specific features for your team or customers.
How to order spiral bound books in Canada
You can order spiral bound books through local print shops or online printing services across Canada. Most providers let you customize everything from paper weight to cover options, and many offer free quotes within 24 hours. The process typically takes between 5 to 7 business days for standard turnaround, though you can often pay extra for rush production if your timeline is tight.
Finding a local or online printer
Start by searching for Canadian print companies that specifically list spiral or coil binding services. Look for providers that show clear pricing calculators on their websites and display sample images of finished products. Your best options will offer free design review and provide digital proofs before printing starts. Check if they have minimum order requirements, as some printers require bulk orders while others accept single copies. Canadian companies that manufacture locally often provide free shipping within specific regions, which can save you significant costs on larger orders.
Choose printers that offer design support and digital proofs to avoid costly mistakes.
Preparing your files for printing
Upload your content as a PDF file with proper margins and bleed settings based on your chosen book size. Most printers accept files up to 750MB and provide downloadable templates that show safe zones and cut lines. You need to count your pages carefully because pricing depends on total page count, and remember that one printed sheet equals two pages. Separate your cover file from your content pages if you want different paper stocks, and clearly label each file with the binding edge you need.
Types of spiral bound books and common uses
Your spiral bound books can serve dozens of different purposes depending on page count, size, and cover options. Most Canadian businesses order them in standard 8.5 x 11 inch or 5.5 x 8.5 inch formats, though you can get custom sizes to match specific needs. The binding style adapts to everything from thin instruction sheets to thick reference guides of several hundred pages.
Business and professional documents
Companies print product catalogues and sales presentations as spiral bound books because clients can flip through them easily during meetings. Real estate agents use them for property portfolios, contractors create project proposals, and consultants assemble client reports. You’ll also see businesses order employee handbooks, standard operating procedures, and price lists in this format. The books survive constant handling in workshops, construction sites, or sales calls where perfect bound books would fall apart.
Spiral binding keeps your professional documents intact through repeated use in demanding environments.
Educational and training materials
Schools and training centres rely on spiral bound workbooks because students can write in them while they stay flat on desks. Teachers create custom course materials, training departments produce onboarding guides, and instructors print workshop handouts. You can also use this binding for study guides, practice exams, recipe collections, or any reference material people need to consult while working with their hands.
Printing options and specifications to choose
Your paper stock choices directly affect how your spiral bound books perform and look. Most Canadian printers offer 20lb to 100lb paper weights in either coated (glossy) or uncoated (matte) finishes. Lighter paper works for workbooks or short-term documents, while heavier stocks suit presentations or materials that need durability. You can also mix paper types within the same book, using thicker stock for divider pages or special sections.
Paper stock and weight selection
Standard 20lb uncoated paper costs less and works well for internal documents, training materials, or workbooks where people need to write notes. The 60lb to 80lb uncoated options give you a more professional feel without the glare of coated paper, making them ideal for manuals or handbooks. If you want vivid colours and sharp images, choose 80lb to 100lb coated (gloss) paper, which makes photos and graphics stand out in catalogues or marketing materials.
Heavier paper stocks prevent bleed-through when printing on both sides and improve the overall quality feel.
Printers typically offer single-sided or double-sided printing, though double-sided helps you reduce page count and keeps costs down. Remember that one sheet printed on both sides equals two pages when you calculate your total page count for pricing.
Cover options and materials
You get several cover choices for your spiral bound books. Clear plastic covers protect the first page while letting your printed content show through, making them popular for reports and presentations. Printed covers on gloss cardstock give you professional branding opportunities, and you can print on the outside only or on both sides. Some printers offer black leatherette covers for premium presentations or client-facing documents.
Colour and printing choices
Full-colour printing costs more than black and white but delivers the impact you need for marketing materials, product catalogues, or any document with photos and graphics. Black and white printing suits text-heavy materials like instruction manuals, policies, or training guides where colour adds no practical value. Canadian printers usually price spiral bound books based on total page count and colour selection, so choosing black and white for some sections and colour for others can help balance quality with budget.
Spiral bound book pricing in Canada
Spiral bound books in Canada typically cost between $10 to $50 per book, depending on page count, paper quality, and quantity ordered. Most Canadian printers show significant bulk discounts, so ordering 100 copies costs much less per unit than ordering 10. Your final price depends on specifications like colour printing, paper weight, cover options, and turnaround time. Some printers offer no minimum orders while others require bulk quantities to process your job.
Typical price ranges
A basic 5.5 x 8.5 inch spiral bound book with 50 black and white pages on standard paper starts around $10 to $15 per copy for small quantities. Full-colour books with 100 to 200 pages on heavier paper stock range from $25 to $40 each. Premium options with printed covers, glossy paper, and special finishes can push costs toward $50 or more per book. Bulk orders of 50 or 100 copies often reduce your per-unit cost by 30% to 50% compared to ordering just 5 copies.
Order larger quantities to unlock substantial per-unit savings on your spiral bound books.
Factors that affect your final cost
Your page count represents the biggest pricing factor, as more pages require more materials and production time. Colour printing costs roughly double what black and white printing runs, so mixing both in strategic sections helps control expenses. Rush production adds 15% to 30% to standard pricing, while premium covers and heavier paper stocks increase costs by smaller margins. Shipping within Canada varies by distance and order weight, though some printers offer free delivery in local regions like the GTA.
Next steps
You now have everything you need to order professional spiral bound books for your business or project. Choose your specifications based on how people will use the books, and don’t hesitate to request digital proofs before final production. Canadian printers deliver quality results when you provide clear files and know what you want. Get a free quote from Apex Workwear to see pricing for your specific project and benefit from local production with fast turnaround.
