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Wire stitching (saddle stitching) is the most common binding method for booklets, thin magazines and notebooks. But once production volume grows, the question is no longer ""wire or glue"", it is: single head or double head?

How a wire stitching machine works

The machine joins sheets of paper with wire through a stitching head, usually a Hohner head known for stable, precise stitching. There are two methods: saddle stitching (wire through the fold) and side stitching (wire along the side of the sheets).

Single head vs double head

Single head stitches one point per cycle. It suits low to medium volume, or booklets where the stitch position changes often. Example: the Single Head 801 Wire Stitching Machine: 0–80 cycles/min, 100 W, 26 kg, 500 × 400 × 600 mm.

Double head has two heads with adjustable spacing, so two points are stitched in one stroke. Example: the Double Head 802 Wire Stitching Machine: two Hohner heads, 4.9–11 cm head spacing, 0–80 cycles/min, 25#/26# wire, 120 W, 70 kg. At top speed, two heads can in theory produce up to 160 stitches per minute.

When to choose which

  • Choose single head if your orders are mostly small booklet runs with varying specifications, or if space and power are limited.
  • Choose double head if you regularly print magazines or booklets in large runs with consistent stitch spacing; production time drops significantly.

What about thicker books?

Wire stitching is ideal for thin books, up to about 5 mm. For thicker books consider a perfect binding machine; the comparison is in hot glue vs wire stitching.

Frequently asked questions

Is double head always better?

No. For small, varied orders, single head is more flexible and lighter (the 801 is only 26 kg against 70 kg for the 802).

What wire does the 802 use?

25# or 26# wire, with two Hohner heads whose spacing can be set from 4.9 to 11 cm.

Can it stitch along the side instead of the fold?

Yes. The 802 supports both saddle stitching (through the fold) and side stitching (along the side).

Want to see the machines? Browse all wire stitching machines or contact Lexia Machinery in Medan.

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